Spring Valley Student Farm Summer Farmer Application - 2013 Farm Mission:

As an extension of the EcoHouse Living Learning Community, Spring Valley Student Farm provides students the opportunity to live and work together in a vibrant community focused on the common goal of healthy local food production. The sustainable farming experience grows not only vegetables and fruit but it grows the student as well. Through the diversity of the working group there is ample opportunity to learn from each other and from the land. While working at the farm the student farmer will learn about sustainable growing methods and the business aspects of how food is harvested, processed and presented to the university dining community. As stewards and ambassadors of the farm the student farmers support Spring Valley Student Farm as an educational destination where everyone may come together to learn and grow.

Student Farmer Benefits:

This position provides the student farmer with a bi-weekly wage of $9.35/hour for 29 hours of work per week. Student farmers who volunteer 10 hours per week of labor qualify for a room rental rate of $200.00/month including utilities at either Oak Cottage or Birch Cottage. Vegetables and eggs from the farm will be available for household use by all paid renters who volunteer 10 hours per week.

Student Farmer Responsibilities:

The student farmer will be part of a production team. There will be a commitment of 29 hours per week of farm work beginning May 12, 2013 through August 24, 2013. Weekend work will be required with a minimum of 2 worked weekends per month. Unpaid vacation time to be arranged at least two weeks in advance of requested time off. Daily duties will include, but not be limited to beekeeping, chicken care, planting, weeding, watering, smiling and laughing, following Good Agricultural Practices Standard Operating Procedures for harvesting, washing and sorting produce, packing, delivery, and record keeping. There will be opportunities to lead farm tours with a variety of age groups. Working at once a week volunteer evenings open to the greater area community will be required.

Student Farmer Qualifications:

This position is open only to students of the University of Connecticut who are currently enrolled full time for the fall 2013 semester. Previous volunteer time at Spring Valley Student Farm is highly preferred for consideration. Applicants must be physically capable of performing the strenuous physical labor necessary to do farm chores under a variety of climatic conditions. The student farmer needs to have a curious mind, the desire to do whatever it takes to get the produce to market, a sense of humor in the face of adversity and a proven positive work ethic.

2013 Student Farmer Training Program Application Form

Name and PeopleSoft Student ID Number: Address: Phone: Email: Date of Birth: Semester Standing:

Please answer the following questions on a separate sheet. Please keep your answers limited to three, double spaced pages.
1. Please describe how your experience at EcoHouse influenced your decision to apply for a summer student
farmer position at Spring Valley Student Farm. With concrete examples please describe what in-class and out of class EcoHouse experiences led you to consider joining the SVSF summer community.

2. How do you envision the farm experience will improve your effectiveness in educating EcoHouse and nonEcoHouse students about sustainable agriculture and food systems? How do you plan to share your knowledge with the greater community?

3. Describe your volunteer experience at SVSF, recent applicable education and work experience. 4. How will you utilize the knowledge, skills and experience you will gain at the farm in achieving your future
goals? 5. Describe your experiences working and learning in a community. How would you be a good member of our working and learning community? 6. Describe your experience with physical labor. How will you handle the strenuous physical nature of farming? 7. What new innovations or procedures would you like to bring to the SVSF experience?

Applications are due back no later than March 25, 2013 Return application to Envelope on Brigids office door in Sprague Questions? Email Julia.cartabiano@uconn.edu or phone 860-508-7706