Orchard Farm Organics, 1052 Cherry Hill Road, Princeton NJ, is seeking volunteers and interns dedicated to working with biodynamic agriculture.
The farm has been certified organic by the NJ Department of Agriculture for over 20 years and is seeking Demeter certification. The farm consists of 61 acres that wrap around the 20 acre Waldorf School of Princeton campus. About 5 acres are dedicated to 14 “fields” of permanent raised beds used for rotated vegetable, herb and flower growing with companion planting. There are blueberry and raspberry patches, and a small orchard of peach and apple trees. A 30'x72’ greenhouse is used for starting alliums in beds, and veggies, flowers and herbs in flats of blocked potting soil made with our compost. In summer we grow micro greens, trellis tomatoes or curcurbitae. In the fall and winter, we grow hardy veggies, mostly brassicas. Two flocks of chickens provide eggs for a 20 member egg co-op with weekly pick up. Extra eggs are offered to the community. A substantial herb garden has been developed with a small business in dried herbs and teas. The cut flower garden provides bouquets to members and local markets. Dried flowers are used to create fall and winter bouquets and to adorn holiday wreaths made from farm fetched greens. Beyond the growing fields is a fenced in 24 acre field that presently accommodates 8 goats and 4 cows. Two other fields of approximately 5 acres each are kept mowed for future use.
Woodland and riparian areas provide abundant resources for wildlife, walking trails and campsites. A main season CSA with approximately 60 members runs 25 weeks from the last week of May to the first week of November. The farm store, in a converted three car garage, is a welcoming place for community members and for egg co-op and CSA pick up. Within the store is a certified organic kitchen where “added value products” such as baked goods, pestos, sauces and jams are made.
Adjacent to the Waldorf School, the farm welcomes young students for frequent visits. Youth and community members come and volunteer and learn, through experience, sustainable practices. .
The candidate should be able to:
- work with a team, help guide volunteers, help manage the CSA and markets.
- use the model of no till practices and bio intensive methods with minimal use of motorized equipment.
- help maintain farm equipment such as tractor, DR brush cutter, weed whacker, and riding mower, chain saw and other needed equipment.
- embrace biodynamics and community participation.
The position could take different forms according to the candidate that comes forth.
The intern could live in a space within the farmhouse or in a campsite close to the farmhouse.
Stipend and living and eating arrangements would be discussed on an individual basis with the candidates that comes forth.Please contact Caroline Phinney at info@orchardfarmorganics.org or call or text 609-203-7134