Massachusetts Certified Organic Market Garden Seeks Apprentice

    The current position is for part time help on a certified organic farm, 24-35 hours per week involved with all aspects of organic vegetable and small fruit production as well as farmers market sales and marketing. Astarte Farm is a certified organic market farm located in Hadley, Massachusetts (right between Amherst and Northampton) with about 4.5 acres under cultivation. We are essentially a small family farm set in the heart of the Pioneer Valley, selling primarily at the Amherst Farmers Market from the first weekend in May through the middle of November, with a limited amount of subscription and wholesale business. We have a 26 X 48 heated greenhouse for transplant production and a 17 X 72 unheated high tunnel for season extension. We specialize in heirloom tomatoes (both plants and fruit), unusual lettuce varieties, sweet corn, garlic, onions, broccoli and cauliflower with an arugula to zucchini mix to fill in the gaps. We pick all of our varieties for superior taste, source organic seed whenever possible, and even grow a few outstanding hybrids. Duties include hand cultivation, transplanting, harvesting and grounds maintenance. Mondays and Wednesdays are the preferred farm work days, Fridays are required for harvest and Saturdays (6:00 AM to 2:00 PM) are required for the Amherst Farmers' Market. The ideal candidate loves to work outside in all types of weather, has excellent physical conditioning and enjoys working with plants and people. Housing is not available on the farm.

This position is open for the 2010 season, and I encourage you to contact me if this is the type of work you are looking for. Two part time positions and additional hourly help are often hired as the season progresses. If you are seriously interested in the lead position, it is best to contact me in early winter.

Contact: Dan Pratt 

dporganic@aol.com  (413) 586-8923 Astarte Farm, 123 West St., Hadley, MA 01035