About us We're a creative husband and wife team, involved in music and visual arts. We are located at the Southern edge of the Berkshires. We have 1 acre deer-fenced with annual and perennial vegetables, orchard trees, and shrubs. There are two seasonal creeks on the land. We practice permaculture We have been creating perennial plant guilds in the vegetable and orchard areas and learning what actually works well and what does not. Our specialty is a 40-ingredient herbal, floral and greens salad. We conduct classes about the properties of the ingredients and how to grow them effectively. Interns are welcome to attend/ assist with these. We currently sell at Farmers' Markets and working to create new relationships with local restaurants. We're proud to say that our past interns have gone on to start garden projects in cities and in rural areas. We hope you'll consider joining us at Floodgate Farm!
Ukiah Farmer's Market
2021-2022 Special Projects
help finish a geodesic dome greenhouse
build a workshop/studio (using post and beam, poles and cob)
build a freestanding compost toilet
implementing two bioreactor no-till composters
Educational Opportunities: Interns will learn organic and ecological farming principles, how to create rainwater harvesting on the land and also including roof water catchment, making balanced composts, identifying and using edible and medicinal plants, season extension, farm ecology, natural building, designing and setting up drip irrigation systems. There are numerous edible landscape, permaculture and farming books to read. We have internet. We are looking to continue doing our monthly Farm and Garden Show here as we had done on KZYX radio. Interns may be a part of this and learn about radio/podcast production if interested. Work Details: The work varies by season. Since we are a small operation, interns will be involved in many aspects: compost making, harvest, weeding, bed preparation, seeding cover crops and main food crops: squash, beans, corn, carrots, kale, broccoli, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, garlic, onions, culinary herbs, flowers, et cetera, transplanting seedlings, pruning, light carpentry, maintaining and improving irrigation, selling at Farmers' Market. Options include more building and working with cob. Interns with have the option to operate smaller machinery as well as work with hand tools. Preferred schedule is 4-5 work days per week.
Day off at the lake!
Skills Desired: The people we're looking for are folks who enjoy working hard outdoors, love to learn and apply their knowledge in the world, folks looking to make a difference. At minimum, you should have good physical condition and stamina; some experience gardening; and some experience living on your own. You are expected to keep your accommodations clean and tidy, we often rent out these for extra income to supplement our farm income. Thanks! Meals: Food, except luxury snacks and drinks, will be provided. We will eat from the gardens, supplemented with food from natural food stores and coops, local producers (we can shop together or you will receive a food allowance). Interns can prepare their food, which we will provide, in our kitchen and we will make some meals together -- one of us eats an omnivorous, wholesome, organic diet and the other is a raw vegan, so we can accommodate any wholesome food regime. Housing: We have camping sites available, with a shared kitchen and bathroom facilities in the main house. In cooler weather, interns may sleep in the guest bedroom in the main house. Stipend: None aside from room and board. We can discuss a limited amount of paid work for extra hours. Other Important Details:
Interns are welcome all year round. We prefer multi-month or full season. Minimum stay is 2 weeks.
We speak Spanish as well as English.
We do not cultivate medical or other marijuana.
Due to fire danger and focus required there is no smoking of any kind while on the farm.
Some of our Summer 2017 Interns!
Ukiah Farmer's Market
Day off at the lake!
