Ridge to Reef Farm, located in the Northwest corner of St. Croix (US Virgin Islands) known as “the Rainforest”, supplies a 60 to 100-member CSA program (depending on season) and a Farm-to-School program with fresh organic produce and tropical fruit, in addition to weekly market-stand and restaurant sales. The farm also hosts agritourism events, retreats, tours, farm-to-table guest chef donation dinners, and farm stays.

All activities center around fruit, vegetables, and grazing animals on the 120-acre primary property and a nearby 50-acre historic mango orchard and historic farm-centered Lawaetz museum. The farm crew consists of directors, on-farm managers, local employees, and revolving farm and agritourism interns/apprentices.

Work Exchange – program description

Internships are for those with interest and willingness to work for learning but with no or little prior experience (minimum 2 months).

Apprenticeships are for those who have experience and seek to deepen learning through committed work-exchange for at least two seasons (minimum 6 months).

Farming interns/apprentices participate in all aspects of farm production and maintenance including but not limited to: weed management, pest and disease management, harvesting, post-harvest handling, irrigation, greenhouse propagation, seeding, transplanting, composting, assisting with CSA operation, markets, basic building projects and maintenance, volunteer management, cleaning and organizing, animal caretaking and producing value added goods. At times during large events and groups, farming work exchangers may be asked to assist with agritourism activities as a small portion of the job. This may include preparing units for stays, cooking groups meals, cleaning, landscaping, or other tasks as they are needed.

Agritourism interns/apprentices participate in all aspects of human services, including the management of educational workshops, communications, leading tours, hospitality services (cooking, cleaning, room prep), light handi-work, animal feeding/herding, inventory stocking, value-adding, and market stands/CSA pick-ups. Since the farm doesn’t always have agritourism activities and need extra hands in the fields often, agitourism work exchange personnel are expected to help with the Farming apprentice roles in those times. This may include seeding, watering, weeding, cultivating, planting, harvesting, washing and packing, organizing and cleaning.

All interns/apprentices are expected to work a minimum of five days a week, under the direction of the Farm & Agritourism Managers or Farm Director.  Days start early, often at 6:30am. On some days work follows a siesta schedule (early morning, late afternoon, long mid-day break). Interns/Apprentices will work independently, with others and with the managers. The educational experience is mostly learning-by-doing “hands-on” approach.

Interns/apprentices may have the opportunity to learn skills necessary in managing a farm. Interns/apprentices also participate in communal living responsibilities and meetings, some of which fall outside of normal work hours.

This is an opportunity to live, work and learn on certified organic farm. Farm work is physically demanding and can be tedious, exhausting, and frustrating – but it is also very rewarding. Communal or shared living situations can be challenging as well, but can also be an opportunity to connect with others and engage in personal growth. There are biting bugs, rats, heat, rain, mosquitos, and other things that might upset the typical vision of paradise in daily living there.  This position is ideal for an aspiring farmer who is looking to deepen their knowledge by participating in all aspects of maintaining the farm.

Daily Schedule

Please only joion this program if you are prepared to participate full-time in field and garden work. Intern/apprentices’ full participation in the day-in and day-out work of producing and marketing food is essential. Please be prepared to participate fully in the gardens and fields and to help us meet our production, harvesting and marketing schedules. The program includes some weekend responsibilities for watering duties, animal caretaking and special events.

The week consists of about 40-50 hours of farming and/or agritourism work, depending on needs and the speed and efficiency of the team.

Work starts at 6:30 AM Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, which are days for general farm work tasks (like planting and weeding). There is a  lunch break at midday (around 11:30), then work continues again from 1 to 5PM.

Wednesdays and Saturdays are  harvest/market days. Work starts at 6AM, and usually lasts until 11AM. Around 111 there is a 30 minute to an hour break for lunch, then you’d continue with wash and pack until you’re ready to head into town – 3PM on Wednesdays and 1:30PM on Saturdays.

Apprentice marketing responsibilities can include: harvesting and packing CSA shares, staffing the CSA pick-up sites, and working at the V.I. Locally Grown Market.

Working at the market and CSA pickups requires longer hours and days – while it is an additional time commitment, it’s a great opportunity to learn how to interact with customers, meet locals sell produce at market and gain experience in accounting and management.

Sundays and Thursdays are off. Some duties, such as watering, animal care, and client communications may need light attention on days off.

Animal caretaking chores are rotated among staff on a weekly basis to be completed during work hours.  Community chores (sweeping, mopping, cleaning common spaces etc.) are also rotated on a weekly basis but should be completed on your own time.  Monday afternoons are community cleanup days (subject to change).

Compensation

• rustic accommodations ( accommodations depend on availability, and may include a simple shack, a single or double-occupancy cabana or camping on the farm. Some accommodations have running water and electricity while others have neither)
• use of the community center and bathhouse, including kitchen (propane stove), wireless internet, phone
• hot showers and flush toilets
• access to fresh, organic food including seasonal produce from the farm (harvested “extras” and seconds), and a standard regiment of kitchen staples (rice, beans, flour, sugar, etc).
• Wireless Internet, propane stove, refrigeration, and solar power are available at the Community Center.

Internships receive no stipend. Apprenticeships receive a monthly cash stipend of $400.

Video

Map

Accomodation offer

You might need to book a cheap accommodation on your way to St. Croix. If you book your stay through our website, you support hopperjobs.com to list more great and free job opportunities worldwide. Click here for booking!

Flight offer

You’ll probaly need to book a cheap flight to St. Croix also. If you book your flight through our website, you support hopperjobs.com to list more great and free job opportunities worldwide. Click here for booking!