About Ethos Farm
We are a small-scale diversified organic vegetable market garden. We implement human-scaled farming methods focused on regenerative growing practices including minimal soil disturbances, composting, crop rotation, cover cropping and promoting biodiversity. We grow on about an acre and a half footprint affording us the ability to intensively and efficiently manage the land. Last season we added an additional greenhouse and high tunnel. Currently we have two greenhouses and eight high tunnels. These tunnels allow us to extend our season and focus on high-value trellised crops like tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and leafy greens.
We have a beautiful market on site where we distribute almost all of our produce. Surplus produce is shared amongst staff and donated to local organizations working to address food insecurity. We also work closely with other local organic growers to supplement our offerings at market including mushrooms, grains, vegetables and fruits.
Project Background
We are a farm-based healthcare system started by Dr. Weiss a primary care physician specializing in lifestyle medicine. At Ethos health emanates literally, from the ground up. From the 2500-year-old Hippocratic teaching, farm-based healthcare recognizes that food is the most powerful medicine.
Ethos Farm to Health focuses on the regenerative production of whole plant foods grown in healthy soils. These “living medicines” are the essential tools utilized by Dr. Weiss and his team to prevent and reverse the chronic diseases that plague our society today.
Farm Setting
Ethos Farm is located in the small quaint town of Long Valley, NJ. We are surrounded by farmland and rolling hills. The farm encompasses over 300 acres, half of which are forested. The woods are a great place to hike and forage for wild edibles such as mushrooms and ramps. There is also a 100-acre field that we’ve planted in native grasses to help restore the soil from decades of conventional farming from previous owners. The field is currently in a five-year study with Rutgers University and Rodale Institute researching the restoration capacity of native warm season grasses after chemical intensive systems. They will be measuring the grasses ability to sequester carbon and changes in microbiology in the soil. There are several smaller fields in addition to the 100-acre field. Our production area is a 12-acre field with a 8’ deer fence surrounding the perimeter.
Apprenticeship Description
Start Date: May 1st
End Date: October 31st
As an apprentice you will play a key role in our farm’s operation by joining a small crew of three who have been working together for several seasons. Apprentices will be provided the necessary training and instruction to be a successful and skilled member of a highly-productive farming operation. We take the time to explain the reason behind our methods and why we do a task a certain way. You’ll be AMAZED at how much food can be grown on an acre and a half! Highly adaptable and eager candidates with a passion for learning will get the most out of the experience.
The work schedule is five days a week with a lunch break usually at noon. A typical workweek is 40 hours though at the height of the season we may get up to 50 hours. We start our days earlier and also end earlier during the summer. Interns will staff one of our farm markets per week which provides a great opportunity to engage with the community, closing the loop of the week’s hard work. We have two markets per week: Friday and Saturday. We rotate the staff to work a Saturday market every other week. During those weeks they will take a weekday off. This allows interns to keep a five-day workweek. We believe in a farm-life balance!
Interns will be involved in most of the tasks needed to successfully run our market garden. This includes but is not limited to:
Irrigation
Greenhouse management
Weeding
Transplanting
Seeding
Operating small power equipment, including our BCS tractor.
Harvesting
Washing & packing
Working our farm market
Pruning/trellising
Who we are looking for
You gotta love working hard and gettin’ dirty! Those who are eager and enthusiastic about learning how to grow A LOT of food for their local community, living and working with a small crew of likeminded folks will be a great fit.
No farming experience is required but it is preferred. Similar work experience like landscaping, trail crew or construction is helpful. We are looking for people with a passion for growing food, community engagement, environmental and human health. A candidate must be adaptable and resilient with a desire to learn about regenerative growing practices. A person who is physically strong and fit with good communication skills and attention to detail will thrive.
Hard work-ethic and passion for growing food
Ability to follow direction and take constructive criticism
Attention to detail and staying focused during repetitive tasks
Occasional weekend work for events, irrigation, and farm market staffing
Ability to withstand long hours of physically demanding work in all weather conditions
Team player, works well individually and as a group
Good communication skills
40-45 hours a week of meaningful and productive work
Preferred but not required
A season working on a production farm or landscaping, trail crew or similar work
Experience with small power equipment (string trimmer, mowers, walk-behind tractors)
Benefits of working at Ethos
Positive and encouraging work environment
Additional educational opportunities at various local farms
Weekly share of farm produce
Access to Ethos Primary Care and farm events
100+ acres of woodlands to hike, explore and forage (ramps, edible mushrooms, watercress)
Opportunity to take ownership and management of certain aspects of the farm
Constantly varied tasks and participation in all growing practices
What we offer
Hands-on experience and training in small-scale market gardening
On-farm housing in a comfortable charming historic farm cottage
Farm fresh produce and bulk food staples such as legumes, grains, cooking oil, spices.
Monthly stipend: $1,500
For more information or to apply
Introduce yourself! You can give our field manager Nick a call at 240-688-8820 or email nhodgson@ethosfarmtohealth.org.