Villa Villekulla Farm holds as one of its defining values a mission to educate and empower people interested in farming. We accept rolling applications for farm apprentices, and aim to vet compatible candidates for whom an immersive farm experience will be edifying and nourishing. Apprenticeships run the entirety of the milking season and run between two and four weeks. The work evolves depending upon the time of year. Late spring is focused on attending births and caring for (feeding multiple times per day, mucking pens, assisting with disbudding and vaccination) the most darling bouncy baby goats you will ever lay eyes upon. As the season progresses you will have a chance to participate in other aspects of a one-woman, 50+ goat farm, from herd health to holistic planned grazing to milking to assisting with processing skyr. Days are long -- 6 am to 7pm roughly -- but there are plenty of opportunities throughout the day for rest and relaxation. This is most assuredly not a 9-5 Monday through Friday type of deal. What it IS is an opportunity to get a window into what it takes to operate an ethics-driven farm business.

The ideal candidate is bright, hardworking, responsible/reliable, good humored, compassionate, curious, patient and observant. You must also be capable of lifting at least 50 lbs. This is a physically demanding job, though accommodations will be made if needed to ensure that limitations are respected. Promptness and the ability to see a task through from start to finish is required. No smokers, drug users or device addicts please. As with most things, you get out of this experience what you put into it — your curiosity and drive will be rewarded with an intensive crash course in farm business ownership, so questions are encouraged, as is the desire to immerse yourself fully.

This position is unpaid but your hard work will be compensated with room and board (a beautiful private studio apartment and a weekly grocery stipend). You can expect 2-3 shared vegetarian meals per week as well. Downtime is encouraged as the day’s schedule allows, and there is lots to do and explore in and around our sweet little town of Barnard. Email resume and references to lauren@villavillekullafarm.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

*Must have own mode of transportation.