Apprenticeship Position on Block Island

[blazing...@verizon.net]

The Blazing Star Farm apprentice program is a hands-on working/
learning experience designed to expose motivated candidates to a wide
variety of vegetable, flower, and fruit crops as well as laying hens
and honey bees and many marketing options (CSA, restaurant sales,
special events, farmers’ market.) The skills taught during the
apprenticeship can be translated to a wide range of future activities:
from intensive small scale gardening to larger scale production. After
a season here apprentices will have a realistic understanding of what
it takes to plan, grow, and market produce and cut flowers
commercially.

Most of your learning will take place “in the field.” Our method of
teaching is: "I do. We do. You do." We will work together moving from
demonstration of skills, doing them side by side, and then to
independent work. Once a skill is mastered apprentices are expected to
work to improve efficiency and speed as they are important skills for
commercial growing. During July and August we are very production
oriented but are often discussing the details of crops and farming as
we work and questions arise. Orientation, farm walks, daily meetings,
and in-depth discussions of topics of interest are other times
scheduled for learning.

The Work Schedule
The season: May 1st through the third week of October.
Weekly work requirements: 40 hours/week Tuesday-Saturday. Eight hours
per day starting between 6:30 and 8 am depending on the weather.
Housing and stipend provided.

General Work
We focus on high quality, high value products so attention to detail
is very important in our harvesting, washing, and processing of crops.
Work tasks often require repetition, bending, lifting, and carrying
heavy objects. Most farm work is done using hand tools and techniques.
Apprentices are expected to have a professional, polite, and helpful
attitude during work and when interacting with customers.

For more information please contact Suzanne at
blazing...@verizon.net or 401-466-5797
www.blazingstarfarm.com