*** JOIN OUR FARM TEAM!!! ***

Are you passionate about preserving sustainable agriculture systems within our local food-shed communities?
We are seeking apprenticeship candidates who:
--have an interest in regenerative agriculture
--are enthusiastic, flexible, and tenacious
--are fit for outdoor work in all seasons and weather and comfortable working with animals
--value living, learning, and working in community, while taking individual initiative
--are 18 or older

***ABOUT WEATHERTOP FARM***

Weathertop Farm is a family-owned and operated farm located on about 200 acres in the scenic Blue Ridge of Floyd County, Virginia. We are dedicated to holistic regenerative agriculture through multi-species rotational grazing and intensive management. No antibiotics or hormones are used, and all livestock eat from pasture that is free of pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers. Any supplemental feed is non-GMO and locally sourced.

Our diverse business includes raising and selling pastured chickens, eggs, pigs, lamb, turkeys, and cattle. In contrast to homestead or other non-profit operations, we are a for-profit business, therefore all facets of our farm must work together to enhance the whole business. We do the bulk of our sales direct-to-consumer here at the farm, another large portion through farmers markets, and a limited amount of wholesale to local food stores.

In addition to daily animal care, we also do all our own poultry processing on the farm, including broilers once per week from June-October and turkeys several days in October and November. We catch and transport our hogs, sheep, and steers to various processors. We maintain a fairly large inventory of meats which we take to farmers markets and sell from the farm store.

Our farm team is composed of owner-farmers, Sarah and Cedric, who've been stewarding the Weathertop land for 20+ years, along with 4 to 6 employees in apprentice and manager positions, as needs dictate. Additionally, our farm encompasses a diverse, multi-generational community of family, friends, neighbors and visitors, from grandparents to young children, all of whom participate with the farm at various times and in varying degrees, so patience, flexibility and understanding are a must.

We care a great deal about our farm community. We value diversity and equality and welcome anyone who is kind and conscientious to apply to join our team. Couples welcome.

*** APPRENTICESHIP OVERVIEW ***

Weathertop Farm invites 4 to 6 apprentices each year for the duration of our season, preferably beginning in March and staying through mid-December. We give preference to those who can commit to the full season, but depending on needs, we may consider other arrangements.

Apprentices must be ready to work hard doing manual labor in all kinds of weather. We expect apprentices to put in 40-50 hours a week on average, depending on farm schedule and season. Summer is our busiest time. Depending upon the day or task, apprentices might work alongside manager or farmers, in teams, or independently. Each apprentice will rotate through all areas of the farm. Poultry processing days are all-hands-on-deck and mandatory.

Each apprentice will rotate through all areas of the farm. Work includes but is not limited to:

--Daily care of animals (work closely with livestock: hens, broilers, turkeys, hogs, cattle, sheep)
--Collecting & cleaning eggs
--Handling feed in 50-lb sacks on a daily basis
--Operating tractor and mower
--Moving portable-electric-fence daily
--Frequent set-up/moving of portable housing, hoses, fences, etc., for all animal groups
--Daily pasture-pen moving for broilers (some by hand, some by tractor)
--Participating in daily farm-team meeting
--Plotting animal movement on the grazing chart
--On-farm poultry processing (typically once/week June-Nov); participation mandatory
--Assisting set-up of trailers for catching/sorting animals
--Occasional building & maintenance projects
--Deliveries to local businesses
--Occasional involvement in farmers markets (Sat & Wed)
--Handle on-farm sales
--Keeping each work area clean and organized
--Miscellaneous tasks which may involve, but are not limited to: composting, mowing, cleaning out bedding from brooder & hoop-houses, firewood prep, driving to mill for feed pick-up and unloading, etc.

*** LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ***

You can expect to learn about the nitty-gritty details of raising animals first-hand--what the daily work is like on a farm as well as the bigger picture of how we plan for the year and how to integrate multiple species in a pasture-based system.  We will spend a lot of time in conversation about farming and related issues. You will have ample opportunity to ask whatever questions you have.

Through this experience you can gain an understanding of the daily ups and downs and ins and outs of a farming season. Because of the diverse range of tasks we require help with--from raising animals to butchering to marketing and sales--you will gain an understanding of how the diverse multi-species grazing operation of our farm is integrated into one business, functioning as a whole. As time permits, we also offer group education classes and provide access to the farm library.

Group farm classes:
We aim to hold a class about once every week or two, depending on the season. Classes start with lunch, and discussions are prefaced by a variety of short readings or videos to spur conversation. We focus on a wide range of topics related to farming and symbiotic issues. Classes alternate between practical how-to's & more theoretical discussions, in which Farmer Cedric delves into his passion which combines philosophy & farming. When possible, we do our best to cater class offerings to individual preference and interest.

Additional Opportunities:

--Access to our farm library, including some recommended readings and podcasts
--Visit with other farms & alternative food systems in Floyd
--Occasional workshops, lectures, films, conferences offered in the Floyd area
--Local Conference, when possible

--Team lunches Monday through Friday
--Occasional dinner invites with advance notice.
--Generous share of Eggs, Poultry, and Meat grown on the farm.
--When there is time for a garden, shared produce.
--Our farm-raised protein is a staple of our diet; we are unable to accommodate vegan diets.

What we expect of an Apprentice:

--Ability to do manual labor (e.g. lifting a lot of 50lb feed sacks)
--Enthusiasm, flexibility, & tenacity
--Ability & willingness to follow directions & ask questions
--Cooperation in working with others
--Individual initiative
--Patience both with yourself & others
--Comfortable around animals
--Good physical health & fitness
--Perseverance in adverse weather (heat/cold/rain/snow/etc.)
--Willingness to work on some weekends and holidays
--Commitment to the entire season
--Must be 18 years old by start of apprenticeship
--Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.; we are unable to sponsor VISAs
--No firearms and no illegal drugs
--No smoking or vaping within farm buildings or living facilities or during work hours
--Not distracted by personal technology (cell phone, etc.) during workday

Not required, but are a plus:
--Previous farming experience**
--Basic carpentry or mechanical skills
--Comfortable driving (or learning to drive) tractors, manual-gear truck, large delivery van
--Comfortable or experienced in a sales setting and interacting with customers
--Having your own vehicle (no local public transportation available)

**While farm experience is not required, we value your education--formal or self-guided--and your demonstrated, genuine interest. What have you been listening to, reading, researching lately pertaining to sustainable, regenerative agriculture, intensive grazing of livestock, rotational management systems, etc.? Who have you been following? What brings you to explore the Apprenticeship at Weathertop Farm?

For our complete listing, visit: weathertopfarm.com/apprenticeship

WE'RE EXCITED TO HEAR FROM YOU!!! EMAIL QUESTIONS to info@weathertopfarm.com!

Steps to Apply:

1) Complete the Apprentice Application for the 2025 Season (Google Form) and upload optional cv/resume to Apprentice Application form.
2) You can expect to hear from us VIA EMAIL within two weeks of receiving your completed application (usually much sooner). Please check your email (and your Spam/Junk folder).
3) If your application is selected for consideration, we will invite you for an initial online interview (video and audio).
4) After the interview, we may email to invite you for an on-farm working visit. Since an apprenticeship at Weathertop Farm involves working, living, and socializing in close proximity, we feel it is important that we meet face-to-face so all of us can get a sense of people and place in the context of the community at Weathertop Farm.

Please contact us with any questions:
info@weathertopfarm.com