Company description

Ocean Hour Farm is one of the last remaining active farms on the south end of Aquidneck Island. The rugged and rolling coastal pastures and historic stone village provide a unique character to this 43.2 acre bucolic farm. Its mission is to serve as a center for education, scientific research, and demonstration of regenerative agricultural practices. The property is adjacent to the Narragansett Bay, making it an ideal location for highlighting the critical connection between land use and ocean health. The vision of the farm is to provide a living example of regenerative land stewardship – an integrated system where plants, animals, and people heal ecosystems while producing food and fiber for the community.

Running the farm is truly a collaborative effort. All employees, no matter the department, participate in some capacity in carrying out educational programming, research activities and whole systems design work for the farm. All roles will therefore require excellent organizational skills, the ability to collaborate with staff in other departments as well as a deep understanding of the land to sea connection.

Internship description

The Farm Apprentice position offers a hands-on, experiential education opportunity for individuals interested in pursuing a career in farming but who are early in their professional journey. This residency-style apprenticeship provides a comprehensive learning environment on a working farm, with a focus on both livestock and market garden scale crop production, touching on ecological design and ecosystem monitoring. Apprentices will develop practical farming skills through a structured combination of shadow learning, independent project work, and exposure to various facets of farm operations.

The role is ideal for someone with limited farming experience, preferably local to the area, and who has a support network in the community.

The program is divided into two phases:

Phase 1 (First 6 Months): Focuses on broad, hands-on experience with farm operations, daily chores, and shadowing staff. Apprentices will participate in a variety of tasks related to both livestock and crop production, as well as special projects to gain a wide range of agricultural knowledge. This period also includes participation in Volunteer & Group Work days.

Phase 2 (Last 3 Months): As apprentices gain more experience, they will transition to a self-guided phase, allowing them to dive deeper into specific areas of interest. Apprentices will develop an independent project, which they will present to the farm staff upon completion.

Phase 3 (Beyond): Launch into the next phase of agricultural career. Ocean Hour is committed to helping the apprentice create and identify career pathways going forward.

Responsibilities:

Daily Chores & Routine: Assist with basic livestock care, crop production tasks, and general farm maintenance.

Shadow Learning: Observe and assist experienced farm staff, learning the basics of farming operations and sustainable practices.

Project Work: Participate in a range of farm projects (livestock and crop-related), gaining exposure to different aspects of farm life.

Independent Project: Develop and execute an independent project of interest, contributing to farm operations or sustainability efforts. This project will culminate in a presentation to the farm team.

Volunteer & Group Work Days: Attend and assist with community-focused workdays to foster teamwork and community engagement.

Minimum Ability, Skills and Knowledge Requirements:
Brings a passion for the mission of Ocean Hour Farm.
Ability to work effectively in a small organization with an emphasis on teamwork and collaboration.
Ability to interface and coordinate professionally with a number of diverse internal and external contacts, including partners, vendors, and fellow team members
Flexibility to work simultaneously on a wide range of projects and ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines.
Ability to speak, read, and write effectively in English.
Ability to work legally in the United States.
Ability to live and work onsite at the farm in Newport, Rhode Island.
Ability to use email and Google Suite.
Ability to communicate effectively via email, text, and slack.
Proficiency in communicating ideas to ensure efficiency of project inputs and outcomes.
Comfortable living and working on a farm with limited housing and community access.
Ability to self-direct in later phases of the apprenticeship program.
One year of agricultural experience or comparable manual/outdoor labor, passion and curiosity required.
Strong interest in farming, agriculture, and hands-on work.

Working Environment/Minimum Physical Requirements:
This position requires both indoor and outdoor work, depending on the task. Approximately 75% of time spent on the job involves standing and being on your feet. This position will require lifting and carrying materials weighing up to 50 pounds, kneeling, and bending.

Commitment to Diversity:
Ocean Hour Farm is an equal opportunity employer and strives to create an atmosphere where diversity of identity, experience, and background are welcomed, valued and supported. Ocean Hour Farm believes that diversity brings about greater sustainability on all levels and aims to use its resources to generate greater social and environmental diversity through its grant-making and other related investments. Ocean Hour Farm is committed to considering candidates for employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability and any other status protected under applicable law, and provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.

Other Information:
Employees must adhere to all applicable organizational policies and procedures. Regular and predictable attendance is required. Willingness and ability to travel and work non-standard business hours, such as nights and weekends, on an as-needed basis is required. Employees must be able to cope effectively with deadlines and multiple demands.

A background check will be conducted to finalize a candidate; this step allows us to have full context to make informed decisions. There are no automatic disqualifiers, as we consider each candidate’s circumstances individually, with care and thorough conversation.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

If you are not registered, you'll be prompted to do so. Don't worry, it's free!

Deadline

May 01, 2025