Organic orchard internship

Round River Farm (RoundRiverWalnuts.com) is seeking 2 paid interns for the months of June through August, 2023.  Round River Farm is a 33 acre walnut orchard, certified organic since 2006, in Witter Springs, California (near Upper Lake).  As a husband-wife team, we have cared for the farm ourselves, mostly, with occasional hired help for the big jobs.  We are in the process of expanding and diversifying the farm, and as a step in our farm growth, we want to include aspiring farmers who desire to learn organic farm management on a small enterprise scale.

The internship will be an on-the-job experience of hard work and the opportunity to learn about farm management with a focus on organic farming.   Work activities will include moving portable sprinkler pipe, repairing the drip irrigation system, hoeing weeds, tying & training young trees, pest monitoring, mowing & weed whacking, and other farm work as necessary. There is also an opportunity in farm mechanic work; we can explain more in an interview. The work schedule is designed to take advantage of the cooler morning hours, and begins at 6:00 am. Training and supervision are provided to reduce risks involved with working in the heat; nevertheless, job duties involve challenging conditions of heat, dust, and allergens.

My wife and I met in graduate school (studying soil science and agricultural pest management), and we really enjoy the thoughtful part of farming. We hope to find like-minded folks who want to engage in meaningful discussion. We are prioritizing applicants with a desire to learn about organic farming and farm business management. No previous farming experience is necessary, but it would be helpful. An interest in construction, mechanics, or gardening is also a plus. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

The internship will be paid at $16/hour with room and board provided (and deducted from wages), all arrangements conforming to California labor law. Expected work hours will be approximately 4 days per week, 25 hours per week for 13 weeks beginning about May 30, 2022 and ending about Sept 1, 2023, with 1 week of vacation by mutual agreement.

To apply, please send resume and a brief description of your goals for this internship to Randall Krag, randall75krag@gmail.com.  Applications will be evaluated on a first come, first served basis until the positions are filled.