Summer Farm & Garden Apprenticeship

EarthDance Organic Farm School is seeking Summer Farm & Garden Apprentices for a part-time, seasonal position in Ferguson, MO. This 10-week paid program involves hands-on training in crop production, distribution, and community engagement. Apprentices will work 16-20 hours per week, learning various farming techniques and participating in market support. The role emphasizes food justice and community connection, with a focus on organic farming practices.
Organization: EarthDance Organic Farm School

Mission: EarthDance advances food justice by training organic farmers and gardeners of all ages, providing connection to healthy food and the land, and cultivating vibrant community.

Position: Summer Farm & Garden Apprentice (part-time, seasonal)

Location: EarthDance Organic Farm School, 233 S Dade Ave, Ferguson, MO 63135

Hours: 16-20 hours/week for 10 weeks; June 5 - Aug 14

Job Description Summary

During this 10-week immersive, paid program, EarthDance Summer Farm & Garden Apprentices will participate in all aspects of EarthDance crop production and distribution, within a community of collaborators working to improve local healthy food access and tenderly steward the land.

Apprentices will participate in greenhouse seeding and propagation, sowing and transplanting, preparing fields for planting, crop cultivation and maintenance, disease and pest control, harvesting, and washing & packing produce. Apprentices will be trained to use several tools and pieces of farm equipment.

The Apprenticeship includes learning the sales and distribution components of our work as well, and therefore will include learning about and working at our Pay What You Can Farm Stand and sliding sale booth at the Ferguson Farmers Market. Summer Apprentices will also have the opportunity to participate in youth and community programming, such as hosting summer campers on the farm, leading tours, or helping with events or outreach activities. Apprentices will also participate in weekly enrichment activities, on and off the farm. By the end of the summer, Summer Apprentices will walk away feeling confident growing organic produce and engaging in creating a more just food system.

Essential Job Functions and Duties:

Farm Production Support (80%)
• Seeding: by hand and with seeders
• Transplanting
• Weed eradication
• Irrigation management
• Pest management
• Harvesting
• Post harvest handling and packing
• High tunnel production and management
• Cover cropping
• Composting
• Tool and equipment training and usage

Farm Stand/Market Support (10%)
• Regularly stock farm stand
• Sell to customers and patrons of the Ferguson Farmers Market and EarthDance on-site Pay What You Can Farm Stand

Misc. (10%)
• Assist with EarthDance special events and outreach.
• Utilize and participate in EarthDance's project management systems.
• Participate in EarthDance programming, learn EarthDance's farming systems to assess the needs of beginner farmers and gardeners.
• Lead volunteer teams on farm maintenance tasks.
• Contribute to overall team goals.

Schedule: Apprentices will devise a standard weekly schedule from the following field and harvest shift options:

Tuesday 8am-12pm*, 1pm-4pm

Thursday 8am-4pm REQUIRED (these are days when enrichments & field trips will be scheduled)

Friday 8am-12pm*, 1pm-4pm

Saturday 8am-12pm
• Choose one or both of these harvest shifts

Some start time flexibility for morning shifts may be requested based on weather conditions/the needs of the farm. Full days include a paid lunch.

Compensation:
• $15.00/hour
• Share of the farm's harvest each week

Deadline to Apply: April 20, 2025

Fair Hiring Statement

EarthDance is committed to fostering a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. We value people's lived experiences, especially those who have been marginalized in the food system in the United States, and especially encourage people of color and residents of the farm's surrounding communities to apply for open positions at EarthDance.