Atlantic Canada Farms

Farm 1

Be part of a small family owned and operated organic vegetable farm located in the foot hills of Foster Mountain overlooking Picket Lake on the scenic Kingston Peninsula. Live on this farm comprised of 170 acres of woodland and 15 acres of cleared fields of which about 2 acres are planted in vegetables annually.

Although your main focus will be on organic vegetables, you will also learn about caring for a variety of farm animals which provide the farm with with eggs and meat. You will have a wide diversity of learning opportunities including: animal husbandry (cattle, hogs, chickens, hens, sheep etc), tractor and farm equipment work, succession planting, irrigation, greenhouse management, sales, marketing, fencing, building construction and maintenance, and woodlot management. During your stay you will be provided with a private heated cabin with washroom and shower facilities. You would also have the opportunity to explore the surrounding towns and the historic City of Saint John during your free time. A stipend and completion bonus is provided.

Location: Kingston, NB, approximately 30 km from St. John.

Farm 2

Four Seasons Farm contributes to the development of sustainable agriculture in the Maritimes, not only by providing great products to farmers' markets and restaurants, but by creating a place where people can come to learn about all aspects of organic farming while living in an engaging cooperative environment.

Located in rural Nova Scotia, 25 min west of Truro, and 1 hour north of Halifax, and certified organic for many years, Four Seasons is a unique and well established medium sized farming operation. The farm is continually expanding and looking to produce a variety of food products. Mixed greens play an important role in the business, while the rest of the focus is put toward herbs and vegetables, particularly garlic, cherry and heirloom tomatoes. As well, this year will be the first year raising chickens for eggs. Family owned and operated since 1992, the farm is currently undergoing a transition of ownership from one generation to the next.

Among other things, the farm is working toward producing value added items such as preserved fruits and vegetables, and dried herbs. There are ten greenhouses that are used for season extension, allowing us to start growing in February and finish harvesting in December. A new processing building houses a walk-in cooler and will allow us to process our produce more efficiently out of the elements. The farm currently cultivates 4 of 6 acres owned and are beginning a lease on 15 acres next to us that will be worked this year for the first time in a long time.

The farm is a place to learn about food in its many aspects, especially growing it. Experience farming as both as a lifestyle and a livelihood alongside seasoned managers who know how to teach. This unique opportunity also incorporates visiting other farms, facilitating workshops, and encourages reading from a comprehensive house library.

During this season the crew will consist of Sina and Owen as owners and managers, David and Nancy helping out, four to six interns, up to three local part-time farm hands, and volunteers & friends. For more information, see www.fourseasonsfarm.ca.

Location: Maitland, NS, approximately 75 km from Halifax.

Farm 3

Our mixed farm is located 2 hours from Halifax in the beautiful Annapolis Valley, less than ten minutes from the historic and artistic town of Annapolis Royal. We have 10 acres of fields, pasture, and orchards and a 50 acre woodlot. We grow 2 acres of vegetables using horse-power and organic methods. This will be our third season running our community supported agriculture program (CSA) and second season at the farmers' market. Apprentices can live in the farm house, in a tent, or cabin the in the woods. Meals and cooking are shared; we love good food and are vegetarian-friendly omnivores. Stipend can be discussed with the apprentices. They will have exposure to wide array of skills: farming with horses, crop planning, seedling propagation, cover crops, composting, selling at market and through CSA, horse logging and woodswork, financial management, etc. We are focused, passionate and eager to help other young people get a head start at farming

Location: Round Hill, NS, approximately 10 minutes from Annapolis Royal, and from 2.5 hours from Halifax.

Farm 4

The Olde MacKenzie Farm is a first generation small family farm centrally located on Prince Edward Island. We operate a small CSA and also have a veggie box program. We raise meat birds (chickens) and pasture raise pigs. We also have laying hens. We are working towards being self-sustainable, and are open to new strategies in our development.

Accommodations for apprentices are in a separate building, but all meals are family style, and involvement in family activities is welcomed.

We work together as a team to ensure things get done in an efficient manner while still having fun!

Some of the work includes care of animals, seeding, transplanting, weeding, some building maintenance which may include painting and green house maintenance. Watering of plants, and harvesting and preparing for the CSA and veggie boxes are weekly and important duties on the farm. We do have a schedule that we try and follow!

For agricultural education, some topics of focus will include ecological pest/weed control, soil health, (four-season) greenhouse production, crop planning layout, and how to prepare a diverse array of vegetables for meals etc. A small stipend is negotiable. 

Location: Breadalbane, PE, approximately halfway between Charlottetown and Summerside (30-40 minutes each way), and 30 minutes from Cavendish Beach.

Farm 5

Highland Farm/ Mother Oak Permaculture--we have been full time farmers for 20 years. We are a quasi joint venture (a bit tricky to explain), located on approximately 100 acres bordering the Kennetcook river, near Brooklyn, Hants county. This includes pasture, hayland, woodlots, and around three acres of intensive gardens, more or less. We keep a few laying hens, milk goats, two draft horses, ducks, and usually raise one or two steers per year, which all apprentices have the opportunity of working with.

The focus on this farm is permaculture -- developing human scale, self-reliant food and shelter systems. Anna (Alex's daughter) operates her market gardens (two acres) usually with one apprentice (maybe two in 2012) per season, paying a small stipend. Alex teaches permaculture design–four month internships in 2012– and grows about one acre of garden. We help each other frequently, and most garden work is by hand or using a single horse. We make hay, haul firewood, milk goats (and yes, we eat a few sometimes), swim a lot, and generally try to have a good time. Although our homes and farm markets operate separately (mostly), and the Permaculture Design Course has a fee ($1200), apprentices and interns often mingle, and classes are open if an apprentice can arrange the time.

A minimal stipend is negotiable, depending on experience.

Location: Windsor, NS, approximately 60 km from Halifax.

Farm 6

This hilltop farm overlooks the Avon River in beautiful, scenic Nova Scotia. Be part of a mixed farm that includes cows, chickens, pigs, pleasure horses and a market garden. Meat, eggs, flowers, herbs and vegetables are raised for a weekly Farmer's market. Hay and grain crops are also produced on the farm. These farmers of 15 years offer hands on experience in all aspects of production. A warm welcome for those who enjoy hard work, wonderful food and living the good life. Apprentices live and share meals with family.

Location: Summerville, NS, approximately 80 km from Halifax, and 30 km from Windsor.

Farm 7

Located on the banks of a tidal river that flows into the Bay of Fundy, our farm is a jewel of biodiversity. The ninety acres are equally divided among salt marsh, woodland and fields. There is a deep, spring fed pond just behind the house for swimming and endless paths and back roads to explore by bike or foot. We are one hour northwest of Halifax and twenty minutes from Windsor.

David has been market gardening for 15 years. He has been involved with new farmer education through the "New Farmers Gatherings" and writes about small scale farming for The Canadian Organic Grower and Rural Delivery magazine. Jen has lived on the farm for 19 years and is very familiar with hosting apprentices. She was one herself. She is learning market gardening with David and loves it!

In 2012 we will be testing a DIY, two-wheel, high clearance cultivating tractor that will replicate what is done with horse drawn cultivators and hillers. We are also working on a mechanical root crop and washing system. So if you have an interest in small-scale machinery innovation, this would be a good fit.

We work at a fast pace filling our wholesale greens orders and slow down a bit for the other field work. Self-organized, motivated people are highly valued! We are willing to put in a lot of time explaining how and why we do things in return for full effort and attention. We also look forward to learning from everyone who comes here to work.

In addition to the vegetables, we have fifty chickens for eggs in a movable coop and a small herd of sheep.

Since we raise a lot of our own food, apprentices can learn about home butchering, canning, whole grain baking, dehydrating and other homestead skill.

Apprentices have their own small house to live in with a kitchen and composting toilet. Showers are available in our home. Lunch and dinner is shared. Everyone takes turns cooking and cleaning up. We eat meat frequently but vegetarians are welcome.

Stipend is available, amount depends on experience.

Location: Burlington, NS, approximately 80 km from Halifax, and 25 km from Windsor

Farm 8

Garden, grow, learn about yourself and others on our beautiful farm. We are in our 4th summer of farming, cultivating a 1.5 acre market garden plus many orchards of fruit trees. All our crops are organically grown in a no spray environment. We are farming mostly on permanent raise beds, and using a minimal till philosophy. We grow exclusively heirloom vegetables for our CSA and farmer's market in both Windsor and Halifax. We also grow garlic, peaches and this year we will be planting plum and cherry trees. We raise pastured heritage breed pigs and free range chicken for meat and eggs. We also make quite a bit of value add products including jam, pickle and our famous tomato sauce for market sale.

We are a family that loves to laugh, work hard, play music and enjoy the infinite night sky. Canoeing, hiking, biking and swimming is available to interns during their time off.

Interns will have the opportunity to learn all aspects of growing heirloom vegetables and taking care of pasture raise pigs and free range chicken. 

Small stipend negotiable depending of experience.

Location: Lower Burlington, NS 20 min from Windsor, 1 hrs from Halifax

Farm 9

This old family farm produces organic beef, hay, feed and eggs as main crops as well as self-sufficient gardening, conventional honey, lamb and goat. They have a few hundred acres of mixed farmland, old orchard and wood lot in the Annapolis Valley with lots of opportunity to learn new skills such as animal birthing, vegetable growing, livestock care, marketing, and food preservation. They are looking for 1-2 flexible apprentices and are willing to help the apprentice(s) in their special areas of interest. Live and eat with the family. Their goal is to be able to make a living from the farm but also to make the farm a better, healthier place for everyone. For apprentices interested in the business part of the farming, the opportunity to run the market garden is available. We’ll provide the assistance to make it happen.

Location: Bridgetown, approximately 170 km from Halifax

Farm 10

Watershed Farm is located 12 km from Bridgewater on the South Shore of Nova Scotia on a majestic hilltop with a sweeping view. We grow a wide variety of vegetables, herbs and flowers on approximately four acres of cultivated land with one large greenhouse and two smaller greenhouses. Last season we operated a 45 person CSA, sold our produce at a nearby farmer’s market and to local restaurants and supplied food for our own on-site workshops and events. This season we intend to expand the CSA considerably while continuing to offer donations of food to a local charity that works with adults with special needs, further our on-site educational outreach opportunities, and our subsidized CSA share program.

Most of our field-work prep is done with the help of a draft horse as is our woods work. Our day-to-day work is done with simple hand tools. We use organic techniques and increasingly are using biodynamic principles and preps in our farming practice. The farm includes 250 acres of woods (Forest Stewardship Council certified) as well as a brook, river with a great swimming hole and a pristine lake. This year we will use more of the eighteen cleared acres on the hilltop for our expanded pastured chicken operation and the rotational grazing of our small herd of heritage breed sheep. At present we have a flock of thirty laying hens including many heritage birds and Indian Runner ducks.

The farm has a wind generator, solar panels and an inter-tie with NS Power. There are two strawbale buildings on the site, one is the farmhouse where we sometimes share meals and the other is a fully appointed cabin with accommodation for up to seven. There is also a purpose built workshop space and dorm and a small wooden cabin available for accommodation.

The farm is situated on grounds run by Pollination Project, a social enterprise that has just completed its third season presenting workshops, seminars and events in Arts, Ecology, Health and Society. See www.pollinationproject.org for more information.

We are presently seeking apprentices who are interested in working hard and learning a wide range of skills including seed starting and saving, crop planning, planting, organic weed and pest control, cultivation, harvesting, post-harvest handling, herb wild crafting, mushroom cultivation, animal husbandry along with marketing skills and educational outreach.

Our working season begins in March as we plan our crop rotations and start our seeds and we tend to consider late November as the end of our growing season. If an apprentice is unable to stay for the entire growing season we can discuss other possibilities that may also be suitable.

Location: 12 km from Bridgewater, NS; approximately an hour and twenty minutes from Halifax.

Farm 11

Welcome to our certified organic farm by the shores of Shediac Bay in the heart of Acadie. Grande-Digue is a rural paradise only 20 minutes from Moncton.

Our farm consists of 5 acres of extremely diverse mixed vegetables, herbs and annual fruits including a wide selection of heirloom crops. We also have a greenhouses, an old apple orchard, wild blueberries and an additional 30 acres of 'wilderness' woodland, bog and alders with trails.

Education is a cornerstone of our business, so you can expect a truly in-depth learning experience with guided project work, weekly discussions and the opportunity to gain more responsibility as time passes. Our goal is to provide you with a firm grounding in organic farming and in return we ask that you commit yourself to the growth and well-being of our farm through hard work and passion for local, organic agriculture.

You will live in a trailer approx 1km from the farm house located in a beautiful area overlooking the farmhouse, farmland and the bay.

Location: Grande Digue, NB, approximately 34 km from Moncton, and 12 km from Shediac.

Farm 12

Be part of a lifestyle learning team on this beautiful 10 acre farm near Hartland New Brunswick along the beautiful Saint John River. This small farm is situated on a hill with amazing views of the river and surrounding land including views of the longest covered bridge in the world. You will live with dedicated growers with over 12 years experience, producing much of your own food and helping to manage an organic herb, flower and wheatgrass farm.

This busy farm provides the public with self guided garden tours, walks, access to herbal education and nutritional information, advice on starting herbal, vegetable, or flower gardens. We have flower-cutting gardens, perennials, many veggies, some assorted fruits, fresh & dried herbs (culinary, medicinal, aromatic), herbal tea blends, garlic, and the superfood—wheatgrass juice.

You will take part in soil building, general gardening and landscaping, farm gate sales, food preparation & baking, food processing, winter storage and cooking on this beautiful homestead property. If you spend a season on this farm you can learn about land stewardship, self-sufficiency, the magic of herbs. If you are looking to focus on building repair/maintenance and small construction you would be most welcome.

This is a great place to start before heading to a “big” farm, as it is more about the lifestyle than actual farming. This season we’ll be focusing on bringing many of the plots closer to the house by building boxed beds out of many recycled products. Need lots of help in restoring some neglected areas.

Location: Upper Brighton, NB, approximately 125 km from Fredericton, and 40 km from Woodstock.

Farm 13

Live in a separate farm house next to this experienced and welcoming farming family on 120 acres of cleared land and 100 acres of woodland. This farm is located about 10 miles from Petitcodiac. The farm has a big farm house, machine sheds, grain bins, pig barn, and miles of walking trails. You will also enjoy the company of other visiting apprentices and WWOOFers–there's always new people to meet.

Be part of farrowing 18 sows, marketing most of the finished pigs directly to customers. Help raise chickens, turkeys and some pigs on pasture and produce 120 acres of certified organic hay and grains.  Learn how to drive a tractor, sell at a farmer’s market, carpentry, building and machine maintenance and about woodlot management. There is a real diversity of skills you can learn. Stipend is negotiable.

Location: Steeves Settlement, NB, approximately 50 km from Moncton.

Farm 14

LocalMotive Farm consists of 45 acres, including forest, pastures, and vegetable gardens. We produce vegetables and eggs for sale through our 50 member CSA and Musqudoboit Harbour Farmer’s Market. The farm is located near the towns of Stewiacke and Shubenacadie, about half way between Truro and Halifax. We are also close to the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park and Dollar Lake. Our location is very private, situated at the end of a road, on top of a hill overlooking the surrounding countryside.

We are a young couple with a 3 year old and a 1 year old. Jody has a B.Sc. in Agriculture (Plant Science) with a specialization in Organic Agriculture. Keith works as a musician. We offer experience in all aspects of market garden management, as well as knowledge in food preservation, chicken care, composting, minor construction and music. There is a great video on our website that shares a lot about who we are: www.localmotivefarm.com

This season’s wish list for growth of the farm includes: expanding our herb offerings, adding a low tech greenhouse, converting our diesel van to waste vegetable oil for carbon neutral deliveries, constructing a small clay oven, and adding some small fruit plantings. Yes, the list is always ambitious! We believe in living "the good life"; that is to say, we work hard and make sacrifices so that we can do what we love and live within our dreams. Jody grew up on a farm but this is our sixth year on this farm. Things are coming together but the ideas and projects are endless, and we could use a little help and input!

Interns will have separate accommodations in the bunkhouse or Trillium. We will eat the main meal of the day together, and share in the cooking. For other meals, we will stock you with all the staples that the garden does not provide. We are omnivores but our diet is vegetarian friendly. A stipend will be offered to interns that are able to stay for the duration of the growing season (minimum 4 months).

We look forward to hearing from you!

Location: Near Stewiacke, NS, approximately 40 km from Truro.

Farm 15

A 75 acre farm with lowland dykes on the Saint Croix River and large upland meadows. Great views, wonderful walking, large garden plots, hay fields and a raspberry u-pick opening this year! Cherry trees, small apple orchard, rhubarb, ponds, cats, dogs, horses on farm with ocean swimming, flea markets, music jams all close by.

We welcome apprentices to work in organic vegetable production, and also others with mechanical skills or organizational skills - to operate equipment, maintain records, try new techniques and crops, and do some construction. All will have the opportunity to learn various facets of farming in general, with an emphasis on food production.

Great food, comfortable beds, good company! Lots to learn and experience.

Location: Windsor, NS, approximately 60 km from Halifax.

Farm 16

Join Angus East Organics, a large organic cattle operation in Cambridge Narrows. Purebred Angus cows are raised on 100% certified organic pasture, giving Angus East Organics its name. Organic grass fed beef is healthier for you, healthier for the animals and healthier for the planet, and that’s precisely what this farm is all about: healthiness! We’ve put a lot of effort into building up the best herd: the healthiest animals possible on the healthiest land possible.

This farm is located atop a hill with a prime view of Grand Lake and with property that runs to the shore. Having purchased the neglected the farm in 1975, we initially had a lot of work to re-establish the farm and buildings to suit our needs. We even cleared 200 acres of fields that had been taken over by the encroaching forest: a big job!

We are presently seeking apprentices who are interested in working hard and learning a wide range of skills pertaining to raising organic livestock. Some of the work will include office-time in order to develop a better understanding of the business-side of farming!

We can provide room and board, as well as a negotiable stipend.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Location: Cambridge Queens County, NB, approximately 45 minutes from Sussex, Fredericton and St John

Farm 17

Nestled in the heart of the Annapolis Valley, this family farm is one busy operation!

We farm on approximately 200 acres, operating a CSA, wholesale and retail vegetable and fruit farm. We also raise some animals. Our CSA in 2010 had a membership of 400, making it the largest in Nova Scotia. In 2009, we added an agri-tourism aspect to our farm activities, inviting members and the general public to holiday on the farm. We grow crops organically, with 23 acres of certified organic land, and over 40 in transition.

Having both grown up on family farms, we are proud to be raising our family on the farm and growing healthy, delicious food for the community. We are hard working, kind and social people. We believe in building the soil biology and supporting the soil as much as possible to have a sustainable farming operation that does not depend on unsustainable methods. We want to be farming here for many, many years. An apprentice would be welcomed and encouraged; working along side us in diverse, daily activities.

We can provide room and board, as well as a negotiable stipend.

Location: Port Williams, approx. 10 minutes from Wolfville; 1 hour 1/2 from Halifax.

Farm 18

Rejean and I are located on South Harbour, at the top of Cape Breton Island, 1 km from the Cabot Trail, near the villages of Cape North and Dingwall. On an acre of gardens we grow berries, asparagus and other vegetables, as well as keeping 8 laying hens. We sell produce from home and at the new Cape North Farmers Market. Apprentices are needed to help with tasks that are mostly simple and repetitive - few are strenuous: weeding, harvesting, carrying firewood, oiling outdoor woodwork. You may be asked to help us with the farmers market, and with the local museum's Settlers' Gardens, two great opportunities to become involved in the community. 

Being situated on a harbour, between Cape Breton Highlands National Park and a long, pristine ocean beach, this is recreational heaven: kayaking, hiking, swimming, biking. We take apprentices June through October. We cannot offer a stipend. Accommodation is a small cabin, with the house for meals and showers. Nearest public transportation is two hours away so it would be very helpful to have your own way of getting here. English, French, some Swiss-German spoken.

Location: South Harbour, Cape Breton, NS, approximately 175 km from Sydney, 135 km from Baddeck, and 5 km from Cape North.

Farm 19

Waldegrave Farm is a certified organic vegetable farm located on a 100 acre farm held in trust by the Tatamagouche Community Land Trust Cooperative. We grow over 40 types of vegetables and green manures on 6 acres of land in Tatamagouche, NS. We run a weekly 40 share community supported agriculture (CSA) program and sell at the Halifax Farmers Market and to restaurants between the first week of June and the end of October.

Apprentices need to be hard-working, dedicated, organized, responsible, and adaptable individuals with a strong work ethic. Applicants must be prepared to commit a full season of hard, sweaty, often monotonous work while maintaining enthusiasm for the duration. I will always be available to answer questions and provide explanations and am more than happy to share my experience with apprentices.

Apprentices will be expected to work 8-10 hours/day, 5 days per week (Monday-Friday) and will have the option to come to the Halifax Farmers Market on Saturday. 

One and a half to two days per month will be dedicated to education, including farm field days, off-farm and on-farm workshops and speakers.

Apprentices will gain experience in the following areas:
- Business planning
- Crop planning
- Seedling and transplant production
- Field work (including ploughing, discing, cultivating, bed forming, in-row cultivating)
- Planting and seeding
- Irrigating
- Weed and pest control
- Cover cropping
- Harvesting techniques
-Post harvest handling of vegetables
-Vegetable storage
- Marketing

Apprentices will also have the opportunity to participate in the Waldegrave Farm Free School (http://freeschool.fairtrademedia.com) and local slow food events and agricultural workshops.

Apprentices will be provided with shared accommodation with common kitchen, bath and living space, laundry, wireless internet and phone. Evening meals are eaten together with all families on the farm. Apprentices will be part of a weekly cooking schedule. Breakfasts and lunches will be up to the individual. Apprentices will be provided with an abundance of organic vegetables from the farm, farm eggs, and all of the basics of a vegetarian diet with some local meat.

Apprentices will also be given a monthly stipend and small bonus upon

Location: Tatamagouche, NS; approx. 1 hour from Truro, 2 hours from Halifax.

Farm 20

Annapolis Seeds is a bioregional seed bank for the Maritimes, our goal is to maintain, select and develop the greatest range of crop diversity possible to thrive in our climate. In 2011 we grew out over 400 varieties of vegetables, legumes, grains and herbs for seed. 2012 will be our fifth year of growing seeds commercially! Come learn the art of seed saving with us, it's a simple yet critically important skill that we'd like to see every grower doing!

We're a small, diverse and mostly human powered farm near Middleton in the heart of the Annapolis Valley. The old farmstead covers 87 acres, of that we have about 7 acres of fields while the rest is mixed Acadian forest covering the slopes of South Mountain. On top of the two acres of seed gardens we have a young orchard of heirloom fruit trees, pastures for our family Jersey cows and several hay meadows where we scythe loose hay for the animals.

There's an ever-changing cycle of different tasks to do around here. In the spring we're preparing and planting the seed gardens, starting seedlings in the greenhouse for both planting and for selling at the markets, and packing and mailing the many seed orders. In summer things transition into a more relaxed stream of weeding and staking and general garden tending. The grass in the meadows and in the orchard grows tall and needs scything, while we human-mowers are fueled by the delicious meals coming from the gardens. We usually put on several workshops on seed saving and gardening each summer too. As the days grow shorter in late-summer and fall the seed harvest really begins. The greenhouse is full of hundreds of carefully labels buckets and containers of pods and seed heads! You'll get to experience the whole process of seed cleaning. As autumn progresses and things slow down in the garden the focus shifts towards preparing and packing the seed packages that we'll be selling the next winter and spring.

We have openings for two apprentices in 2012, ideally for the full growing season (April to November). On top of that we could also take on people for shorter-term stays of at least one week during the busier times of year... contact us and we can talk possibilities! We have a common kitchen/bathroom/living area in one of the barns, and most meals are prepared and shared together (with lots of fresh food from the garden!). We have a tent trailer that sleeps one or two and tenting would be encouraged in the warmer months if you're so-inclined.

Monthly stipend available for longer-term interns.

Location: Middleton, NS, about 60 km from Wolfville and 150 km from Halifax.

Farm 21

Coming Soon!

Farm 22

Come join three young friends on our picturesque farm just outside the historic town of St. Andrews-by-the-Sea, NB. Venturing into our seventh year of farming we are growing two acres of mixed vegetables for an 85 share CSA, the St. Andrews Farmer's market, and several local restaurants including The Rossmount Inn and Savour (Family owned businesses aimed at celebrating what can be done with the local bounty of this county). We have three greenhouses/tunnels, a tractor, and 100 acres of hayfields, forest, ponds, and sandy beach - it's only a five minute walk from hard work in the field to a cool dip in the ocean! George and Belinda, the local horse and donkey always welcome a friendly visit, especially if you are holding carrots or apples. We invite you to enjoy vegetarian meals with us in the farm house and take part in the post-meal banter that is a part of our learning experience.

Accommodations can be a spare room in our house, a small bunk house next to the farmhouse or a two bedroom house with kitchen and bathroom just a short walk from the farmhouse.

When we aren't working directly with the soil and plants, we often have farm related building projects on the go and enjoy other hobbies such as music, board games, and pottery as well as swimming, climbing and outdoor games.

We love to share our ideas and experience with interested interns. Apprentices will have an opportunity to work alongside the three of us, as well as independently, learning about and taking part in all the tasks of a farming season, such as:

 -crop planning and planting

 -CSA management

 -balancing mental and physical health

 -greenhouse management (four seasons)

 -weed control and pest management

 -irrigation

 -crop specific practices

 -record keeping

 -harvesting and post-harvest handling for market and CSA

 -teaching and leadership

 -working with restaurants

 -season extension

 -how to start a farm(even with no previous farm experience)



We are looking for 1 or 2 apprentices who are self-motivated, take pride in their work, and are passionate about sustainable farming and living. We would like to host apprentices who can commit to staying for the whole season. Our apprenticeship program aims to give you a well rounded understanding of what it takes to operate a small scale farm and provide a safe and fun learning environment to do it in.

A stipend will be available to those who can commit to at least 4 months and a completion bonus available to those who can stay the whole season. The stipend amount will be based on previous experience.

Location: St. Andrews, NB, approximately 94 km from St. John.

Farm 23

Come work and learn with us, on our now Certified Organic Farm. Our farm is 75 acres, of hay, garden, pasture and forest. We raise heritage livestock, which include Berkshire swine, and Jacobe sheep, along with cross-bred meat sheep, various breeds of heritage poultry, and SE Arabian horses. There is also a market garden, and hay fields to be processed throughout the Spring Summer and Fall. Our two house and two barns are surrounded by apple trees.

The area has many trails for nature tours. We are located 15 minutes from the Town of Windsor, and 45 minutes from Halifax. We are a relatively new operation, with several years experience. We have owned our farm for 10 years, and have grown our fields and gardens organically. Organic production, along with a great love for animals, is what we have decided to give back to the land and people.

Our belief is to help promote a better way of life and natural growth for all our livestock, garden, and all around the farm.

Location: Scotch Village, NS, approximately 70 km from Halifax, and 18 km from Windsor.

Farm 24

Coming soon!

Farm 25

Coming soon!

Farm 26

Coming soon!

Farm 27

We are a small mixed organic farm (3 tons of produce grown yearly), on the 101 highway between Digby and Weymouth, NS, and we have 25+ years of experience to share with an apprentice. Our farming methods are French intensive, intensive grazing, permaculture and intercropping. We manage 12 sq ft of greenhouses, and sell wholesale, CSA’s, Farmers’ market and at the farm gate. You will stay with us and work side by side, learning and refining techniques.

We are bilingual here and have a university close by. We benefit from full beach view and access. On our farm, we try to design our practices effectively, to benefit our environment, and we believe in making the world a better place. Our goal is to be able to give an apprentice a good intensive training, leaving them with a positive experience.

Location: Plympton, NS, approximately 240 km from Halifax, and 20 km from Digby.

Farm 28

Hope Seeds is part of a 200 acre farm in the rolling hills of the St. John River Valley, New Brunswick. 100 acres of sustainably-managed hardwood lot provides maple sap, firewood, lumber and lovely walks. Hayfields and pasture provide for our small beef herd. Small fruit orchards and a pond enrich the homestead, dotted with small barns, woodworking shop, and 1870's farmhouse. We're about 10 km (a hilly bike ride) from the closest post office, gas station and convenience store, and 20 minute drive from "town" with more amenities. Our local community centre offers regular community events, suppers, yoga class, etc.

Our certified organic business is focused on heritage and rare seed production, both on our own farm and through contracting local growers to produce for us. Apprentices will get a unique experience in the increasingly forgotten but crucial art of seed saving - from planting to harvest, cleaning and storage. We market our seeds through our website and catalogue, engaging customers around North America. In 2010 we'll be expanding the fresh produce side of our business with a small CSA, restaurant sales and farm market stand.

Live with your fellow apprentice in your own camper/trailer, and enjoy the fruits of your labour with farm-fresh meals and food preservation activities. Visit other local organic farms for a rich experience in market gardening, heritage livestock husbandry, apple orcharding, straw-bale construction and more. A small stipend is negotiable. If you have been thinking (not just dreaming!) of farming for a while, perhaps done some WWOOFing and want to dig a little deeper, then get in touch!

Location: Knowlesville, NB, approximately 150 km from Fredericton, and 64 km from Woodstock.

Farm 29

Our farm is beautifully situated on the Jemseg River where it joins the Saint John River. We are part of the unique Grand Lake Ecosystem, and the historic village of Gagetown is just a few km and a ferry ride away. Our 160 acres of land borders on a lake, river and marshes so boating, birdwatching, hiking and biking opportunities are abundant. We keep kayaks and canoes at the lakeside for easy use.

We are a diverse, dynamic and innovative operation and strive to be a model of sustainable agriculture as well as demonstrating a viable business model. We sell most of our produce directly through our farmers market and 40 member CSA. Our focus is on vegetables and berries, but we also have poultry and pigs. We may add some cattle this year. You can learn about planting seeds, cover cropping, succession planting, animal husbandry, tractors and farm equipment, weed management, irrigation, greenhouse management, marketing, business finances, woodworking, construction, welding, and maintenance.

Apprentice housing is in two new cabins that overlook the valley, with showers and composting toilets nearby. Meals are eaten together. We offer a stipend and an additional completion bonus.

Location: 50 km from Fredericton, and a 50 minute drive from Saint John and Moncton.