Sunnyfield Farm Interns Wanted
COWS
At Sunnyfield Farm, we have a small herd of Jersey, Milking Devon, and Jersey/Devon cross bred cattle. We are not breeding show cattle, or for the highest milk production, or the fastest rate of gain for beef. We want the animals that work best for us. That means cows that stay in good condition and meet modest production goals on a 100% grass diet.
All of the products of the herd are sold at the farm. They include raw milk and cream, veal and beef. We are selling to our neighbors for consumption by their families. This
forces us to focus on quality and high value. Our customers know us and the farm. They are welcome in the barn and have great appreciation for the work we do and food that is
produced at Sunnyfield.
Interns are an important part of the farm crew. Work with the cattle includes almost everything that we do. The cows are rotationally grazed from May to November. Fences
need to be set up to allow milk cows to shift paddocks twice a day, others once a day. Cows are milked once a day. Milk jars are filled and the barn is cleaned every day.
Freezers are stocked with various types of meat a couple times a week. We need people to observe the herd to check for heats and health issues or injuries. There are always
building and equipment issues to deal with. We make hay in small square bales. This means lots of hay handling, unloading hay wagons and stacking hay in the barns. Work in the fields is varied according to ability. It includes some clearing, spraying liquid amendments, spreading dry amendments, seeding and haying. Also taking soil samples
and monitoring growth and diversity of plants in pastures and hay fields.
SHEEP
Interns learn all aspects of grass based sheep husbandry. Early arrivals are involved with birthing in late winter/early spring. Starting in May sheep are prepared for moving to
summer pastures which involves shearing, foot trimming, fecal checks with worming if necessary, tagging. Sheep are moved to different summer pastures set up in paddocks
which are moved every three days. Daily maintenance involves a once a day feeding of the guard dog, head count, a check over of the sheep and watering. Watering can involve carrying 5 gallon buckets for hopefully, short distances. The set up of different paddocks can involve the use of a machete or weedwacker to trim brush or tall grass. The sheep are often on land owned by people other than Sunnyfield, so being able to work well and politely with people is a must.
Interns will be able to learn and acquire skills in identifying good pastures, use of electranet fencing, identifying sheep health issues, working and moving large groups of
sheep with the help of two border collies and marketing lamb for wool and meat.
VEGETABLES
We grow a large variety of vegetables on approximately two acres for sale almost exclusively in our own farm store. We use modest mechanical means, and rigorous soil and plant sap analysis including Ph, electrical conductivity, and brix to monitor plant health in real time. Using these readings we create our own foliar feeds, side dressings
and drenches to give our plants what they need when they need it. Through the use of these techniques we provide the people in our community with the most vigorous
and “nutrient dense” foods that we possibly can. Also, we continue using traditional organic production methods with a view to tying as many different elements of the farm
together as we can.
The entire process from seed to harvest is very involved and physically demanding. We are outside all day almost every day and through all types of weather (rain or shine). Our activities are seeding, transplanting, mulching, fertilizing, setting up hoops and row covers, watering, weeding, picking bugs and harvesting. The use of tractors and other equipment is based on prior experience and aptitude. (We endeavor to foster an atmosphere of learning in this regard.)
GENERAL OVERVIEW
Sunnyfield Farm provides full season interns (April 1st through October 31st) 100 dollars a month plus room and board. Housing is in the farm house with other farmers and
interns. Alternatives can be explored if desired by the applicant. Breakfasts and lunches are generally “fend for yourself” from staples purchased by the farm and food grown onsite, while dinners are a community meal prepared by one or two people for the whole group on a rotating basis. Keeping our living spaces and farm store clean and organized is a priority.
Although we assign interns to different projects according to their expressed interests this is never possible one hundred percent of the time. We all pitch in wherever and whenever it is demanded of us to keep all of our diverse interests progressing. This is especially true of the daily animal chores which everyone should expect to be involved in at one point or another. In addition to the sheep and cows listed above, Sunnyfield is home to pigs, including a litter or two of piglets each year; chickens, both layers and broilers; turkeys raised for thanksgiving; and three horses that are being trained to work on the farm.
Sunnyfield is a family oriented farm where people are valued as much as the crops, fields and animals we care for. We meet weekly for an all hands breakfast where we discuss plans for the week ahead, talk through issues and celebrate birthdays.
This year, we are looking for one intern to begin in February to assist with forestry (firewood) and construction projects. The ideal candidate would be someone who is interested in being a full season intern on the farm who already has some aptitude with forestry and/or construction. Interns without prior experience in these areas are encouraged to apply for the regular full season internship (April through November).
To apply, open the application form. Fill out the form and email or print and send to
Sunnyfield Farm
197 Greenfield Road
Peterborough NH 03458
you can also fill out the form online
COWS
At Sunnyfield Farm, we have a small herd of Jersey, Milking Devon, and Jersey/Devon cross bred cattle. We are not breeding show cattle, or for the highest milk production, or the fastest rate of gain for beef. We want the animals that work best for us. That means cows that stay in good condition and meet modest production goals on a 100% grass diet.
All of the products of the herd are sold at the farm. They include raw milk and cream, veal and beef. We are selling to our neighbors for consumption by their families. This
forces us to focus on quality and high value. Our customers know us and the farm. They are welcome in the barn and have great appreciation for the work we do and food that is
produced at Sunnyfield.
Interns are an important part of the farm crew. Work with the cattle includes almost everything that we do. The cows are rotationally grazed from May to November. Fences
need to be set up to allow milk cows to shift paddocks twice a day, others once a day. Cows are milked once a day. Milk jars are filled and the barn is cleaned every day.
Freezers are stocked with various types of meat a couple times a week. We need people to observe the herd to check for heats and health issues or injuries. There are always
building and equipment issues to deal with. We make hay in small square bales. This means lots of hay handling, unloading hay wagons and stacking hay in the barns. Work in the fields is varied according to ability. It includes some clearing, spraying liquid amendments, spreading dry amendments, seeding and haying. Also taking soil samples
and monitoring growth and diversity of plants in pastures and hay fields.
SHEEP
Interns learn all aspects of grass based sheep husbandry. Early arrivals are involved with birthing in late winter/early spring. Starting in May sheep are prepared for moving to
summer pastures which involves shearing, foot trimming, fecal checks with worming if necessary, tagging. Sheep are moved to different summer pastures set up in paddocks
which are moved every three days. Daily maintenance involves a once a day feeding of the guard dog, head count, a check over of the sheep and watering. Watering can involve carrying 5 gallon buckets for hopefully, short distances. The set up of different paddocks can involve the use of a machete or weedwacker to trim brush or tall grass. The sheep are often on land owned by people other than Sunnyfield, so being able to work well and politely with people is a must.
Interns will be able to learn and acquire skills in identifying good pastures, use of electranet fencing, identifying sheep health issues, working and moving large groups of
sheep with the help of two border collies and marketing lamb for wool and meat.
VEGETABLES
We grow a large variety of vegetables on approximately two acres for sale almost exclusively in our own farm store. We use modest mechanical means, and rigorous soil and plant sap analysis including Ph, electrical conductivity, and brix to monitor plant health in real time. Using these readings we create our own foliar feeds, side dressings
and drenches to give our plants what they need when they need it. Through the use of these techniques we provide the people in our community with the most vigorous
and “nutrient dense” foods that we possibly can. Also, we continue using traditional organic production methods with a view to tying as many different elements of the farm
together as we can.
The entire process from seed to harvest is very involved and physically demanding. We are outside all day almost every day and through all types of weather (rain or shine). Our activities are seeding, transplanting, mulching, fertilizing, setting up hoops and row covers, watering, weeding, picking bugs and harvesting. The use of tractors and other equipment is based on prior experience and aptitude. (We endeavor to foster an atmosphere of learning in this regard.)
GENERAL OVERVIEW
Sunnyfield Farm provides full season interns (April 1st through October 31st) 100 dollars a month plus room and board. Housing is in the farm house with other farmers and
interns. Alternatives can be explored if desired by the applicant. Breakfasts and lunches are generally “fend for yourself” from staples purchased by the farm and food grown onsite, while dinners are a community meal prepared by one or two people for the whole group on a rotating basis. Keeping our living spaces and farm store clean and organized is a priority.
Although we assign interns to different projects according to their expressed interests this is never possible one hundred percent of the time. We all pitch in wherever and whenever it is demanded of us to keep all of our diverse interests progressing. This is especially true of the daily animal chores which everyone should expect to be involved in at one point or another. In addition to the sheep and cows listed above, Sunnyfield is home to pigs, including a litter or two of piglets each year; chickens, both layers and broilers; turkeys raised for thanksgiving; and three horses that are being trained to work on the farm.
Sunnyfield is a family oriented farm where people are valued as much as the crops, fields and animals we care for. We meet weekly for an all hands breakfast where we discuss plans for the week ahead, talk through issues and celebrate birthdays.
This year, we are looking for one intern to begin in February to assist with forestry (firewood) and construction projects. The ideal candidate would be someone who is interested in being a full season intern on the farm who already has some aptitude with forestry and/or construction. Interns without prior experience in these areas are encouraged to apply for the regular full season internship (April through November).
To apply, open the application form. Fill out the form and email or print and send to
Sunnyfield Farm
197 Greenfield Road
Peterborough NH 03458
you can also fill out the form online