Opportunities

D Acres of New Hampshire provides a multi-dimensional opportunity to explore skills relating to organic farming, sustainable development and subsistence living. In this communal living situation, positions are available in internships apprenticeship/college credit and employment. Experienced tradespeople and artisans are encouraged to use D Acres of New Hampshire as a resource base for their endeavors. The basic program consists of a minimum of 26 hours of work and a weekly fee ($20 for interns, $125 for apprentices) in exchange for food and unique accommodations (tree house, tent site, room in the new Community House or converted barn space).

Members work in various fields, but the main effort revolves around the gardens, the forest, and on-site building projects. Work is related to the development, maintenance, and long term economic viability of the homestead and community at-large. Residents have input toward which skills and services they wish to focus on and develop to the benefit of the collective. Everyone shares kitchen and cleaning chores. Individuals in residence are expected to work hard and have a serious interest in “sustainable” living. Applicants must be prepared for the physical nature of the work and the outdoor setting.

Perks include access to a large commercial kitchen and living room, laundry, woodshop, 500-plus volume research library and an additional history and fiction library, yoga space, wireless internet access, telephone access, and free range of the beautiful forested property. Space is available for personal projects in the woodworking shop and art studio. In your free time you can explore your interests from this base on the edge of the White Mountains and Lakes District. Details of the positions are listed below. For additional information about living at D Acres of New Hampshire, please call the farm at (603) 786-2366.

VOLUNTEER DAYS

Last Sunday of each month, March through August

10am - 4pm

The staff at D Acres invites the public to join us on the last Sunday of each month at 10am for Volunteer Day. Volunteers will work on various projects around the farm including fence building, moving manure, hauling brush, and gardening. Lunch will be provided at 1pm for all volunteers. Choice of projects is on a first come, first serve basis. Please call to let us know you are coming: (603) 786-2366

EMPLOYMENT

Employees are most often derived from within the organization by interns and residents who have demonstrated commitment to the project. Though currently we are seeking someone to help facilitate gardening activities in 2010. Please contact us for details.

RESEARCH PROJECTS

D Acres of New Hampshire works with faculty and graduate students interested in the research and implementation of special projects. We are exploring areas such as school-age and adult education, organic garden experimentations, greywater systems, watershed management, forestry, solar cooking, renewable energy systems, erosion control, irrigation and alternative building. We also encourage grant writing by interested individuals and are willing to serve as a host site for funded projects that are congruent with our farm philosophy and priorities.

ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE

We are actively seeking a blacksmith and woodworker to utilize the existing facilities at D Acres. Artists in Residents would negotiate an arrangement that would likely include production of cottage industry crafts for sale as well as teaching onsite learners and the general public. Participation in community processes is also expected. Please inquire if interested.

INTERNSHIPS

Interns are skilled, active community members. The internship position requires a minimum of 26 hours of work and $20 per week paid by the intern for room and board. Assignments are decided at the regular farm community meetings and include (but are not limited to): organic farming, forestry, light construction, landscaping, tending the animals, and participation in the local farmer’s market. Outside of required hours, all members of the community participate in basic tasks such as meal preparation and housekeeping in the community building.

Interns come to D Acres with some experience related to sustainable living. Experience may include, but is not limited to, gardening, forestry, cottage industry and crafts, cooking and baking, woodworking, and environmentalism. Individuals who do not yet have experience are encouraged to apply for the D Acres Apprenticeship.

Interns receive organic groceries, seasonal produce, use of telephone during non-business hours, wireless internet , location to sleep and dream, use of library, workshop and facilities of D Acres of New Hampshire and the great outdoors of NH. Perks also include access to all on-site workshops & yoga classes and field trips to farms, attractions and events.

The 26-hour format allows concentrated and organized communal work, while the free time beyond that could be spent on personal projects. We require a minimum 6-week commitment from people interested in living a simple rural life and working toward a sustainable lifestyle. Some organizations and/or universities provide financial stipends or financial aid to students participating in this type of activity.

The internship program can be the gateway to non-fee residential status at D Acres.

Note: Applicants requesting to participate in our internship program for less than six weeks will be denied. If you would like to join us at D Acres for less than six weeks, please see our Apprenticeship or Hostel programs.

The online application form will ask you to indicate your preferred start date at D Acres. If you are invited to join us for the internship program you will be asked send a deposit of $120 (payment for six weeks) within 2 weeks of being invited in order to hold your place. If you later find that you cannot participate in the program, 50% of your deposit will be returned if you notify us that you will not be coming more than 2 weeks prior to your arrival date.

APPRENTICESHIPS/COLLEGE CREDIT

The Apprenticeship program is designed as a hands-on practical experience. Individuals participate in the seasonal duties pertinent to the farm operations. They receive instruction and supervision in the day-to-day workings of what we do here. Students apprentice at the farm a minimum of 26 hours a week, receive room and board with tuition, and participate in many of the same activities as the residents. This is an opportunity to not only gain knowledge in a certain field (or more than one field), but to experience communal living, decision-making, and networking in an environment that encourages “sustainable” practices.

Tuition for participation in the Apprenticeship program is: $20/day, $125/week, $400/month, and $100/week after a one-month period. We recommend a minimal stay of 6 weeks. Perks include access to all D Acres of New Hampshire workshops, on-site yoga classes and field trips to farms, attractions and events. Apprentices can transition to intern status upon evaluation. A PhD faculty person is available to do on-site evaluations in collaboration with your faculty advisor. If college credit is to be received, D Acres requires submission of a learning contract with the sponsoring agency prior to the apprentice's arrival.

The online application form will ask you to indicate your preferred start date at D Acres. If you are invited to join us for the apprenticeship program you will be asked send a deposit of $200 (applicable toward total your tuition payment) within 2 weeks of being invited in order to hold your place. If you later find that you cannot participate in the program, 50% of your deposit will be returned if you notify us that you will not be coming more than 2 weeks prior to your arrival date.

INTERNS AND APPRENTICES may select one of the following concentrations:

Organic Gardening

Sustainable Forestry

Woodworking

Herbal Medicine

Alternative Building

Culinary Arts/Hospitality

Animal Husbandry

General (a broad focus on sustainability encompassing all of the focus areas listed above)

Please view our Learner Rubric for information on what is expected of Interns and Apprentices at D Acres

HOW TO APPLY FOR ANY OF THE RESIDENTIAL POSITIONS LISTED ABOVE:

Complete and submit an application.

or print and send the application to:
D Acres of New Hampshire
PO Box 98

Rumney, NH 03266

All employees are required to fill out employment US Department of Justice Employment Eligibility Verification Forms and Internal Revenue Service W-4s, and a waiver releasing D Acres of New Hampshire and the Trought Family from any liability for injury. In addition all staff must have criminal background checks. *Please note that learners and employees who live on-site (interns, apprentices, staff, residents) must be at least 18 years of age*