Post-Training Opportunities

Some graduates of training programs like ours are ready to jump right into farm ownership/management — but many need to deepen their learning and confidence via additional opportunities.

 Thanks to a very generous and supportive community, we are able to offer a limited number of internships and incubator placements for a 2nd and even 3rd year of training. These are highly competitive, and require demonstration of commitment and planning on the part of participants.

Keystone Incubator - this location offers powerful learning opportunities for those who have completed a core training and are ready to put a trial/small version of their crop plan in the ground in a small team setting at the Keystone Farm & Forest Preserve. Participants will be expected to manage their own projects and participate in developing space and cultivating OFS plantings.

Pre-requisites:

  • Must be 18 or older;

  • Able to perform physical labor for 8 hours a day, 5-7 days per week;

  • Available for the full 10-month program (each student is allowed one week off during the program, excluding June-August);

  • Competent in communication and teamwork

  • Prepared and willing to participate in regular check-ins and reflections, designed to deepen the learning experience

  • Able to accept direction and input from staff

  • Financially able to cover personal expenses during the program (the program is structured to allow up to 15 hours per week of independently secured part-time employment)

  • Graduation from a core training program or equivalent

  • Current Covid vaccination, as well as current tetanus shot.

Tuition & Housing:

Tuition for a first year incubator is $2000. Accepted projects are supported by the OFS on a profit-share basis to be agreed upon before implementation. Housing has yet to be determined for these positions but is currently in a robust planning stage.

OFS Field Assistant

Each year we select one-two training graduates to fill a staff (paid) role as Field Assistant - this 2nd-year position is well suited for graduates of a Core Training Program (or the equivalent, such as UC Santa Cruz, University of Montana’s PEAS Farm, UVM, etc.). Successful candidates will engage as support for the Farm Manager and Assistant Farm Manager at the Maxwelton Farm in the day-to-day implementation of tasks in the field.

Pre-requisites:

  • Must be 18 or older;

  • Able to perform physical labor for 8 hours a day, 5-7 days per week;

  • Available for the full year (each participant is allowed one week off during the program, must be scheduled with Farm team by start of program);

  • Competent in communication and teamwork

  • Prepared and willing to participate in regular check-ins and reflections, designed to deepen the learning experience

  • Able to accept direction and input from staff

  • Financially able to cover personal expenses during the program (this is a full-time, hourly position)

  • Graduation from a core training program or equivalent

  • Current Covid vaccination, as well as current tetanus shot.

 Tuition & Housing

None