Looking for Internship/Apprenticeship

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Hello. :) Over the past week or so, I've been doing a lot of research looking for different kinds of apprenticeships and internships. My problem on most of them is that none of the ones I've been able to find have just the right combination of things happening. Most of them run only for a few months, or the ones that run longer aren't exactly what I'm looking for. I will continue to look for some, but I was thinking that perhaps someone here could give me a hand.

To start off, my name is Sara, and I'm just out of High School. From 1998-2000 I lived on a small ranch outside of Santa Fe, and, looking back, I can't remember a time when I was happier. Having just graduated, now's the time to decide what I want to do with my life, and many things have presented themselves. There's something that's been missing since I moved back to the city, though, and I think I might be able to find that again by getting away from the city.

I'm looking for any farm/ranch that would be able and willing to take someone on for about a year starting in September 2002, with labor in exchange for room & board. I'm a hard worker, and I'm not completely unfamiliar with the trade. I have extensive experience with small-scale raising of horses, goats (dairy & meat), sheep, chickens, hogs, rabbits, and llamas. I can milk, I can muck, I can groom, feed, show, ride, excercise, and am familiar with training llamas for showing and packing, and goats for showing. In addition to these skills, I'm also more than willing to do housework, computer work (web design, maintainence, I was raised on a computer), etc. In short, I'm willing to do whatever it takes to earn my keep.

Mostly, I'm just looking for a place with nice people, nice scenery, and preferably horses. If you think you might know of anywhere I could find this place, the information would be greatly appreciated. :)

-- Sara Boyd (haiikushippo@aol.com), May 06, 2002

Answers

Check out the bottom of the main page, under Older Messages (Archives), click on Apprenticeships, some of those posts may be helpful.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), May 06, 2002.

Kononia Farm, Americus, Georgia. They accept volunteers for 6 month periods (sometimes much longer ). It is where Habitat for Humanity originated. They have all aspects of farming and livestock. I wouldn't trade my experience there for all the money in the world !

-- Joel Rosen (JoelnBecky @webtv.net), May 07, 2002.

Sara,

The Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association helps to set up internships between local organic farmers and folks who want this type of learning experience. I'm sure they would be able to help you. Their web site is at: www.mofga.org I don't know where you're located or if you'd be interested in coming to this area but it would seem to cover the things you said you're looking for. I've met some of the farmers who work with interns and the ones I've met are great people. I know there are at least a few organic farmers that work with interns that use draft horses for at least part of their farming. The scenery in pretty much all of the state is great. Hope this helps. If I can be of any more help, feel free to e-mail me.

-- Murray in ME (lkdmfarm@megalink.net), May 07, 2002.


Oh, I wish I knew for sure if I'll have my place done by fall. I'd love to have an extra hand around for part-time chores in exchange for room and board, if that's the type of situation you're looking for. Our plan is to have a small apt. attached to the horse barn. We'll live in it until we sell this place and build the house, then the apt would be empty. And my neighbor is always looking for a reliable milker. Though I do have a trailer on the new farm that may be vacant soon - not the greatest but if interested give me a holler. Heck, if you wanted to keep some of your own critters here that wouldn't be a problem, either- most of them don't cost that much to feed.

-- shakeytails in KY (shakeytails@yahoo.com), May 07, 2002.

We would have such an opening this fall for however long you wanted to stay. We give draft horse sleigh rides in the winter, an extra hand would be a blessing. We also have 3 riding horses. Some of the other things that you would be doing is helping to milk about 40 head of sheep during the summer. Also help with shearing and lambing is welcome. We also run a small organic CSA spring summer and fall, next year we should have 30 to 40 members. Everything done on the farm is done without chemicals. You would have a private 1 bedroom 2nd story apt. overlooking a gorgeous 5 acre natural pond, with fish, frogs, fog, wild ducks and geese, herons, muskrats and beavers and countless other wildlife including mosquitoes. We have 3 kids and another baking and are in our mid 30's. If you are interested contact us. Kind regards. Calvin Glacial Till Farm

-- Calvin Kalmon (calvin@dwave.net), May 07, 2002.


Sorry, I forgot, we are located in North Central Wisconsin in the Chequamegon National Forest.

-- Calvin (calvin@dwave.net), May 07, 2002.

Hi Sarah, I am wondering if you my be interested in a Watkins business. They now offer on-line buying and great web support. This is one of the reasons I got into the business. I find it is a business that doesn't recognize state lines (I can run it from where ever I happen to be) and is great for those who live "beyond the sidewalks". It can provide income and time to do the things we love doing. Check out http://www.jb59.com. -- Jim

-- Jim Baur (wduck@quixnet.net), May 08, 2002.

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