Farming Opportunities
Partner Search
Four Springs Farm has an exciting farming opportunity available for an experienced young person or couple.
This beautiful farm is spacious enough to have more than one farmer living and working it. There is an opportunity for an experienced young person or couple who would like to explore the possibility of a joint venture.
The farm is looking for folks with two main interests:
- being involved in vegetable and fruit production
Four Springs Farm’s CSA program is well established and the farm has sold at the Norwich Farmers Market and to local stores for nearly 30 years. Sales to groups for on-farm use are just beginning. Vegetable production is becoming stable at just under three acres of crops. Fruit production is in its infancy. Available land suitable for tillage is limited but there are many acres available for fruit tree, berry or other perennial production.
- establishing a livestock operation
The farm currently raises poultry on a very small portion of the available pasture. There is a 15-acre field that can be cut for hay or fenced for grazing. There is an 8-acre pasture that has old fencing with easy access to water. All of this land has been mowed regularly. While pasture quality needs improvement on most of the farm there is nearly 10 acres of land in smaller areas that have been grazed in the past few years and are in nice condition. Four Springs Farm is certified organic.
A barn built originally for horses has several spaces that could be adapted to house a limited number of livestock and provide for some hay and grain storage. There are suitable locations are construction of other livestock housing.
Jinny is currently running all parts of the farm operation — greenhouses, bakery, and the Campground and Learning Center as well as the projects mentioned above. Management of everything would be shared or divided according to the experience and interest of everyone. Compatible new enterprises or expansion of present ones are welcome ideas to be explored in a partnership.
Available land for farming is difficult to find in Vermont and has become more expensive than many of us can afford. Joining with an established farmer would help make land costs reasonable for both of us.
It is also challenging to establish a place in area markets as experienced producers have been supplying the community for many years. Four Springs Farm is an established presence in several of the best local outlets and these marketing connections would be available to partners as they become part of the farm production team.
Please contact Jinny at the farm to share your thoughts, get to know each other and consider a partnership.
Experienced Grower Position
Photo by Jinny Cleland
Photo by Will Cleland
Photo by Will Cleland
Photo by Will Cleland
Four Springs Farm has a position for an experienced grower to be the principle farmer of three acres of mixed vegetables for the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), Farmers Market customers, and a small amount of wholesale. Position begins in April and extends through October.
This individual needs to:
- Know what strong, healthy vegetable plants look like and general information about their growing requirements.
- Know how to identify weeds and when and how to cultivate them.
- Have well-developed harvesting skills to be able to make good decisions and work quickly and efficiently.
Most of this grower’s time will be spent working on vegetable production, harvesting, and marketing under the general management of the owner, Jinny Cleland. He or she would also have some connection with the other activities of the farm — poultry raising, young fruit production, and the hospitality activities related to the Four Springs Farm Campground and Learning Center. Part of the time, less experienced volunteers or apprentices could be working in the gardens and would occasionally be under this person’s supervision. Housing in a small cabin and meals are provided. This small community is an integrated whole so many tasks of everyday living are shared. The work week varies as the season waxes and wanes with some weekend marketing obligations. Long hours can be expected as is customary in season on small farms. Financial compensation is dependent upon experience.
Apprenticeship
Farming is a craft. It is a creative balance between the art of intuitive decision making, the science of learned techniques and observation, and the discipline of good management practices. One of the best ways to learn any craft is through apprenticeship.
At Four Springs Farm (FSF) we offer the invaluable experience of learning while living and working on the farm. This learning principally happens by experience and through questions asked and answered during the course of the season. Overall management, record keeping, and the necessary organizational skills required to run a business are a strength of this farm and are taught along with hands-on experience in the field. The smallness of the operation provides a unique opportunity for apprentices to work side-by-side with the owner/mentor, as well as, take on a share of the farm responsibilities. About half of an apprentice's time is spent growing, harvesting, and marketing vegetables, herbs and flowers. The balance includes greenhouse work, poultry raising, caring for young fruit, hosting campground guests, maintenance and improvement projects, and independent time to do individual projects on or off the farm.
FSF has a position open for the season beginning in the spring and extending through the busy fall harvest period. A full season of training on the farm is a valuable educational experience. There would be a charge for this instruction if the equivalent were provided in the university setting. We, however, are able to offer apprenticeship training at no cost. Housing, food, and a small amount of spending money are included. Work is generally five and one-half days a week, with extra hours at peak times. Housing is in one of our small cabins, and food is principally from the farm, with meals eaten in the farmhouse. Life in the farm community is a total integration of activities, often without a clear definition of what is ‘work time’ and ‘time off’. We endeavor to share the intensity, the freedom, and the joy of this life-style with everyone who is here, and provide a realistic perspective on small-scale farming today.
Volunteers
In additon to the full season positions, volunteers can arrange two week stays during the season and work along with the crew. Such individuals are usually housed in tents, but occasionally stay in the house or one of the cabins. They are asked to work approximately half of the time leaving plenty of additional opportunitiy for relaxation and exploration.
Applications
You can download an application (PDF 70KB) or call (802) 763-7296 to have one mailed. Send completed applications to:
Jinny Cleland, Four Springs Farm, 776 Gee Hill Road, Royalton, Vermont 05068 or e-mail the information in whatever form you wish to fourspringsfarm@gmail.com
