C E R T I F I E D O R G A N I C
Dorchester, New Hampshire
D
Acres
of New Hampshire|
About Us |
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There is an opportunity for everyone at D Acres. Lettuce begin a dialogue based on your learning objectives, time commitment and experience!.
Volunteer Day -Every last Sunday of the Month. By appt. contact us to make arrangements
Employment - Seeking Hospitality Coordinator (overnite accomodations)
Apprenticeships - Never farmed? Built anything? Wanna get your hands dirty?
Internships Self directed and goal oriented towards mission of D Acres
Tradespeople and Artisans - Community & life experienced- ready to apply sustainable practices
Need help deciding which program is right for you? Click Here *** Everyone, regardless of the program you are interested in, please read the Organizational Manual and Projects and Goals 2011 to determine if D Acres is the right place for you.
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).
VOLUNTEER DAYS Last Sunday of each month, 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 hospitality management in 2012. Please contact us for details.
APPRENTICESHIPS/COLLEGE CREDIT Apprentices are willing workers, motivated to experience the realities of living and working communally at a small-scale organic farm and education center. Apprentices have an interest in sustainable living and generally come to the program with little experience practicing these skills. The Apprenticeship program is designed as a hands-on practical experience in farming and sustainable living. Although there is no set curriculum, individuals participate in the seasonal duties pertinent to the farm operations. They receive instruction and supervision in the day-to-day workings of the homestead. Individuals apprentice at the farm a minimum of 26 hours a week, receive room and board, and participate in many of the same activities as the residents. In addition to the scheduled 26 required hours, all members of the community participate in basic tasks such as meal preparation, community meetings, and housekeeping in the community building. A general farm apprenticeship, or an apprenticeship focusing on forestry, kitchen and cooking, organic gardening, and alternative building, is available on a seasonal basis. Tuition for participation in the Apprenticeship program is: $20/day, $125/week, $400/month, and $100/week after a one-month period. A minimal stay of 6 weeks is recommended. Apprentices enjoy: three meals a day utilizing food sourced on-site and though an organic distributor, use of telephone during non-business hours, access to wireless internet, rustic living accommodations, the great outdoors of NH, use of the library and facilities of D Acres of New Hampshire. Apprentices are encouraged to participate in all on-site workshops and events. This is an opportunity to gain knowledge in a certain field while experiencing communal living, decision-making, and networking in an environment that encourages sustainable practices. Participants are expected to actively engage in this immersion program to accomplish personal learning objectives and organizational success. 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 arrival. Timecards and work descriptions are entered daily into the D Acres computer. All Apprentices are required to sign a waiver releasing D Acres of New Hampshire, Bet Realty (the organization that owns the land and buildings) and the Trought Family from any liability for injury. 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 3 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.
Depending on the expertise of the current staff and the seasonality of our farm tasks, interns and apprentices may select an area of focus including:
Organic Gardening Sustainable Forestry Woodworking Alternative Building Culinary Arts Hospitality & Hostel Management 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
INTERNSHIPS
Interns are skilled, active community members. Interns are expected to have pre-existing agrarian skills, and participate as active, self-directed community members. After introduction to farm operations, interns will have the self-motivation and follow-through to work diligently and efficiently under the guidance of staff and residents with minimal supervision.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 enjoy: three meals a day utilizing food sourced on-site and though and organic distributor, use of telephone during non-business hours, access to wireless internet, rustic living accommodations, the great outdoors of NH, use of the library and facilities of D Acres of New Hampshire. Interns are encouraged to participate in all on-site workshops 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. Prior Interns have on occasion sought supplemental income from seeking employment within the region. Timecards and work descriptions are entered daily into the D Acres computer. All interns are required to sign a waiver releasing D Acres of New Hampshire, Bet Realty (the organization that owns the land and buildings) and the Trought Family from any liability for injury. 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 arrival. We ask applicants to self-select their roles as Interns or Apprentices, though the ultimate decision of Intern or Apprentice category is subject to staff discretion based on the application and interview process. 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 3 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.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE We are seeking motivated personnel to take on developing and amplifying the pursuit of various projects at D Acres. Personnel willing to take on multiple specialties or slices of project pies are encouraged to begin. Specialists Opportunities Available Hospitality- manage reservations and maintain accommodations for overnite visitors Herbology- maintain and enhance existing herb gardens, develop products for in-house usage, develop products for sale, facilitate classes and workshops to public Woodworking- maintain and amplify existing woodworking program, provide for farm needs onsite, develop products for sale, offer classes and workshops to public Special Projects- design and implementation of various on-going & new projects. Projects include solarium, bicycle powered tools, ground driven farm implements, grey-water & living machine wastewater recycling, wind &, micro hydro power generation, solar hot water applications, grounds GPS mapping, icehouse Metal Fabrication- maintain and amplify existing metalworking program, provide for farm needs onsite, develop products for sale, offer classes and workshops to public Videography- maintain, enhance, and amplify existing program… Graphic Design- coordinate existing media ads & website as well as add flair to our public presentations at all levels Youth Ed- coordinate with area schools, camps and home scholars to develop an ongoing program of youth education Renewable Energy- document and improve our onsite energy consumption and efficiency, develop solutions to provide greater power and reduced consumption Alternative Construction- design/build structures onsite using integrated earthen construction techniques, offer classes and workshops to public Forestry- From woodlot to board feet. Whole forest system including logging, animal powered extraction, chipping, firewood, and recreational trail maintenance & development Fruit& Nut Nursery Perennial Specialist- management of existing orchard for production and disease & pest resistance, nursery development for onsite amplification and sale Animal Husbandry- care of chickens, ducks, pigs, oxen, bees, worms, dairy. Housing, feeding, rotation, birth to death mutualistic commitment Grant Writing- do it Bookkeeping- experience and detail orientation required Events Coordination- advertise and organize regular and special events Seed Saving- amplification of onsite program, facilitate regional seed saving efforts, provide classes & workshops for public education Participation in community contract & processes is also expected. Please inquire if interested.
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*
Hospitality Manager Description D Acres of NH operates a lodging and accommodations business as a means to generate revenue and offer an educational overnight stay to travelers from around the world. The main community building houses three private rooms and one shared room with a carpeted floor. We also offer onsite camping on both platforms and grassy open fields. All guests have access to a shared bath both indoors and outdoors. For an additional cost, guests are encouraged to enjoy our organic farm fresh breakfast or dinner made with ingredients grown on the farm. Responsibilities of the Hospitality Manager: - Maintain reservation system for bookings and meals - Supervision and implementation of meals for guests - Optimize online booking services - Ensure there are no double-bookings - Supervision and implementation of room cleanliness and maintenance - Amplify bookings, especially in the off season Reservations, changing over bed linens, meal preparation, and checking in and out of guests are shared tasks among the residents living at D Acres. The job of the Hospitality Manager is to ensure these tasks are carried forward. A stipend is available for this position, as well as room and board (accommodations vary due to availability). This person will be expected to spend approximately 10 hours per week in hospitality management in addition to the work required to complete the Communal Contract, outlined in the D Acres Organizational Manual. In exchange for a negotiated salary the hospitality manager is expected to function as a D Acres staff member. Above and beyond hospitality responsibilities, staff duties include general farm operations and administrative tasks.
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