apprenticeships

Cold Pond Community Land Trust
	Cold Pond Community Farm Apprenticeship Description Thank you for your interest in the apprenticeship at Cold Pond Community Farm. We have trained apprentices here on our farm since 1993 and have come to depend on their help as well as their input and their addition to our family life. The following is a brief description of our farm and apprenticeship program. Our farm is located in Acworth in the southwestern part of New Hampshire. Acworth is a rural town, which luckily is not “on the way “to anywhere else so the development pressure has been minimized. The land is wooded with farm fields scattered about and is drained by the Cold River, a tributary of the Connecticut River. There are various agricultural and home based businesses and a strong community sprit. Barbara and I began homesteading (with a desire to make our life farming) on this run out hill farm in 1983. Clearing and reclaiming fields, constructing farm buildings, and acquiring skills, livestock and equipment, were major efforts in our early years here. Our oldest of three children was born in 1983 and raising them has been a considerable undertaking as well. Little by little we expand production and now we have a marketable surplus of many crops. In 1984, we began using horsepower for field and woods work. We continue to use our team of Suffolks, Vicki and Poppy, plowing, harrowing, cultivating, haying, logging and sugaring. We have Jersey cattle for milk and meat; raise some meat birds, honeybees, and misc. other stock and pets. Our philosophy of farming is that food and it’s production are the most basic and important of human necessities, and that life can achieve fullness only with quality food and farms. These farms must be intimately connected with their environment and only then can a sustainable agricultural system be resumed. Though we’ve been organic since the start, we believe that the Biodynamic approach to farming, which views all aspects of a farm holistically, opens up the infinite possibilities life is about and begins to connect us to the spiritual aspects of farming. In 2000 we formed the Cold Pond Community Land Trust which aims to protect farm and forest land, encourage the growth of local agricultural connections, and educate the surrounding population about the value of small farms and fresh food to the local economy. The Land Trust hopes to acquire additional properties as they become available and encourages families and individuals to explore the possibility of long term involvement as community members. We want to share our experience with people who have a strong desire to begin a life homesteading, farming and building community. The apprenticeship, open to singles and couples, runs for a full year. This gives a complete picture of the farm and the yearly cycle of activities that we shape and are shaped by. The apprentice is involved in every season with the farm work and learns in the fields, woods, and shops the many skills needed on a mixed farm. Seasonal internships are also available. Our apprentices work three days a week in exchange for the use of a cabin and a share of all that is produced. The cabin is wood heated without electricity or running water. There is a gas light and cooktop and a brook nearby for wash water. Drinking water is drawn from the main house. The cabin is by itself amidst the gardens, offering plenty of privacy if desired. The rest of the week interns are encouraged to find part time work in the community. Seasonal interns may find housing in the sugarhouse or a shepherds wagon. If you are interested in coming to live and work with us, please write a brief description of your experiences as well as your expectations and goals. We will respond promptly and a phone conversation is possible. Though visits are not required, they can be helpful if distance is not too great. Steve and Barbara Box 95, Acworth, NH. 03601 (603) 835-2403 CPCLT1@email.com
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Cold Pond Community Land Trust

Cold Pond Community Farm Apprenticeship Description

Thank you for your interest in the apprenticeship at Cold Pond Community Farm. We have trained apprentices here on our farm since 1993 and have come to depend on their help as well as their input and their addition to our family life. The following is a brief description of our farm and apprenticeship program.

Our farm is located in Acworth in the southwestern part of New Hampshire. Acworth is a rural town, which luckily is not “on the way “to anywhere else so the development pressure has been minimized. The land is wooded with farm fields scattered about and is drained by the Cold River, a tributary of the Connecticut River. There are various agricultural and home based businesses and a strong community sprit.

Barbara and I began homesteading (with a desire to make our life farming) on this run out hill farm in 1983. Clearing and reclaiming fields, constructing farm buildings, and acquiring skills, livestock and equipment, were major efforts in our early years here. Our oldest of three children was born in 1983 and raising them has been a considerable undertaking as well. Little by little we expand production and now we have a marketable surplus of many crops.

In 1984, we began using horsepower for field and woods work. We continue to use our team of Suffolks, Vicki and Poppy, plowing, harrowing, cultivating, haying, logging and sugaring. We have Jersey cattle for milk and meat; raise some meat birds, honeybees, and misc. other stock and pets. Our philosophy of farming is that food and it’s production are the most basic and important of human necessities, and that life can achieve fullness only with quality food and farms. These farms must be intimately connected with their environment and only then can a sustainable agricultural system be resumed. Though we’ve been organic since the start, we believe that the Biodynamic approach to farming, which views all aspects of a farm holistically, opens up the infinite possibilities life is about and begins to connect us to the spiritual aspects of farming.

In 2000 we formed the Cold Pond Community Land Trust which aims to protect farm and forest land, encourage the growth of local agricultural connections, and educate the surrounding population about the value of small farms and fresh food to the local economy. The Land Trust hopes to acquire additional properties as they become available and encourages families and individuals to explore the possibility of long term involvement as community members.

We want to share our experience with people who have a strong desire to begin a life homesteading, farming and building community. The apprenticeship, open to singles and couples, runs for a full year. This gives a complete picture of the farm and the yearly cycle of activities that we shape and are shaped by. The apprentice is involved in every season with the farm work and learns in the fields, woods, and shops the many skills needed on a mixed farm. Seasonal internships are also available.

Our apprentices work three days a week in exchange for the use of a cabin and a share of all that is produced. The cabin is wood heated without electricity or running water. There is a gas light and cooktop and a brook nearby for wash water. Drinking water is drawn from the main house. The cabin is by itself amidst the gardens, offering plenty of privacy if desired. The rest of the week interns are encouraged to find part time work in the community. Seasonal interns may find housing in the sugarhouse or a shepherds wagon.

If you are interested in coming to live and work with us, please write a brief description of your experiences as well as your expectations and goals. We will respond promptly and a phone conversation is possible. Though visits are not required, they can be helpful if distance is not too great.

Steve and Barbara
Box 95, Acworth, NH.
03601
(603) 835-2403
CPCLT1@email.com