What are the responsibilities and job description for the Farmer Apprenticeship position at Pennypack Farm?
Farmer Apprenticeship
Founded in 2003, Pennypack Farm & Education Center (PFEC) is a 13-acre non-profit diversified vegetable farm growing with organic methods in Horsham, PA (eastern Montgomery county). Our mission as a non-profit organization is to Grow, Give and Teach : We run a 350 member Summer CSA and 160 member Winter CSA and attend a Farmer’s Market. We run a robust Produce Giving Program, working with local hunger relief organizations to distribute high-quality, local nutritious produce to those facing food insecurity. As an education center, we focus on teaching our community about the importance of local sustainable agriculture through programming. We also teach the next generation of farmers through our farmer training programs (apprenticeship & internship).
The 20-Month Farmer Apprentice Program is designed to provide the necessary training to those wishing to pursue organic / sustainable farming as a livelihood, and graduates of the apprenticeship will have the necessary skills to manage a farm. Apprentices will begin in March 2025 and finish in November 2026 . Apprentices participate in all aspects of our farming operation including crop planning, planting, growing, organic pest and weed control, irrigation, and harvesting. Throughout their time with us apprentices also receive extensive tractor training including bed prep, cultivation, tractor repair, and maintenance. During the winter months apprentices learn winter growing techniques and actively participate in planning for the following season. In the second-year of the program apprentices develop their management skills by taking on more responsibilities including coordinating our Produce Giving Program, managing greenhouses, and leading volunteer groups. On-farm training is supported with a curriculum including topics such as irrigation, weed management, pest life cycles, anatomy, & control, plant disease anatomy & control, soil health, reading soil samples, and cover cropping. In addition, we encourage off-farm educational opportunities like farm tours, workshops, and conferences as schedule permits.
2025 Compensation and Benefits :
- Monthly stipend of $3,000 (paid twice a month) with an increase in January of the second year
- Weekly seasonal produce
- Paid time off
- Gear Stipend
Apprentices should be committed to a farming lifestyle and the mental and physical commitment it entails : farming is very rewarding but also demanding. As such a small team, we rely on each other to keep morale and motivation high during the heat of the summer, so we look for people who are organized, personable, enthusiastic about the work, enjoy creative problem solving, and have a sense of humor and positivity.
Ideal candidates :
Job Description :
Please note this is a very physically and mentally demanding position and candidates must be comfortable working long hours in all types of weather. Rotational weekend work is expected.
Duties will include but not limited to :
Job Schedule :
Monday-Friday 7 : 15 am-5 pm with hour for lunch (approximately 10 hours a day for the entire duration of the main season). The first two weeks of August end time will shift to 6 pm.
Monday through Friday 8am-4pm with an hour for lunch
Educational Benefits :
The farm is located in Horsham, Pa, about 45 minutes by car from Philadelphia. Unfortunately there is no easy public transit and having your own transportation is required. No housing.
If you are interested in applying for PFEC’s Apprentice Program, please email Farm Manager Kirstie Jones at @ . and include :
Why has larger scale (as in more than a few acres / raised beds, using tractors etc) sustainable agriculture piqued your interest?
No phone calls please.
Pennypack Farm is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. PFEC encourages women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA applicants. PFEC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected factor