Current Vacancies

Kensons Farm is run by Liz and Hugh Collins and has been certified organic (not Biodynamic) since 2001.

The vegetable crops are spread between four 5-acre fields, an acre of summer plots and 2000m2 polytunnels. One of the most important crops is asparagus, which covers a further 3 acres. Our speciality seasonal crop is gem squash.

The field crops are potatoes, brassicas, onions/leeks and carrot/parsnips, and squashes. These are the main vegetables for the period between late summer and early spring, either stored in the shed or braving the winter in the ground.

The main source of fertility is red clover and rye grass, which starts and finishes a rotation cycle. These green manures provide abundant organic matter to feed the soil, and the roots of clover capture nitrogen from the air.

​In the polytunnels, we use lots of compost, as well as green manures such as phacelia. This is a marvellous plant originally from the Mediterranean, which smothers weeds trying to grow alongside and produces a lovely purple flower full of nectar, which is great for bees and other insects.

The Kitchen Garden People is a successful CSA growing hyper local salad and vegetables following organic principles for great taste and zero waste. Our plot is based at FarmED, a Centre for Regenerative Agriculture in the Cotswolds and we share much of their ethos when it comes to valuing biodiversity and recognising the importance of the soil food web in food farming and education.

The Kitchen Garden People comprises a small core team and seasonal staff  in all aspects of running the business.  We work closely as a team, each taking on a set of responsibilities, yet sharing the harvesting and growing tasks so that we rarely work a whole day alone and everyone gets their hands dirty. We are a small, open team and will involve the trainee in all aspects of the business.

The plot is approximately 5 acres, with a field scale area, sections of smaller permanent no-dig raised beds and 900m2 of polytunnel space. We specialise in no dig and strip cover crop/veg growing. We primarily use hand tools but some small scale machinery is also used. We currently grow a wide range of vegetables to supply 120 local families with a weekly veg box and supply the FarmEAT kitchens at FarmED with farm to fork produce.

The trainee will have opportunities to be involved and learn about all aspects of small scale organic vegetable production in the field and polytunnel areas (propogation, weed control, pest management, irrigation, fertility/rotation management, harvesting, etc.). You will also be involved in business management of the CSA.

We generally take enquiries and interview potential new trainees over autumn and winter so our work force is all set for the growing season

Working hours fluctuate depending on the season and while we work longer hours in the summer, you will enjoy reduced hours over winter. We can provide support in finding accommodation locally though we cannot provide this directly. Meals are provided at work in onsite cafe and the trainee would have access the wider farm, facilities such as the extensive agricultural library and courses at FarmED. 

To learn more or express interest email Dan Betterton danbetterton@gmail.com

https://yatesbury.wixsite.com/yatesbury (please note: no www)

Please contact through the website.

Hello,

Yatesbury House Farm is a 534 ha family farm, on the edge of the Wiltshire downs near Avebury. Experience and tradition is combined with a deep-rooted belief that farming should work together with nature. The bio dynamic methods we use are a key part of achieving sustainable, natural and quality food.

Diverse ley mixtures, rotational grazing, no ploughing, reduced machinery size, having a closed farm, crop diversity, crops for wild bees other pollinators and farmlands birds all contribute to our developing soil and open landscape.

We are focused on providing the highest quality of produce with the highest levels of customer satisfaction.

The Gantletts have been farming at Yatesbury since 1968 and are passionate and progressive in their approach to farming. The farm is mostly cereals with many fertility building crops and a 90 cow suckler herd for beef.

Observation and perception are critical skills in farming, we hope that anyone wishing to join us for the apprenticeship will want to develop those primary skills.

We are keen to experiment and further develop our farm system to improve the soil, use less fossil fuel and provide a better environment for everyone (man, flora and fauna). Research on our farm will be an important part of the apprenticeship, collecting samples, storing and measuring carefully.

We are also looking for help in the day to day farming activities, learning skills of cattle husbandry, storing crops, field operations with tractors and also the critical farm maintenance tasks.

We are a small dedicated and focused team in a Wiltshire village and we hope you are interested what we are doing. We look forward to hearing from you.

Best wishes Richard

Waltham Place is a 220 acre biodynamic estate in Berkshire. The estate comprises permanent pastures, arable and woodland. At its heart lie a series of beautiful naturalistic walled gardens and a Kitchen Garden supplying produce to our shop and tearoom. We run a small herd of native jersey cattle, a flock of Castlemilk Moorit sheep and chickens. As staunch believers in biodynamic farming it is our goal to provide for as many of our needs as possible from within the estate itself. We therefore produce our own feed grains, hay and straw and support our soils with home produced composts, manures and preparations. Alongside a commitment to the production of high quality fruit, vegetables and meat sits a commitment to supporting the environment and to education. Through courses, events, school visits and garden tours we aim to promote and make others aware of biodynamic methods and foster an understanding of the wider ecosystem as a whole.
We offer the opportunity to join our community and develop your knowledge and skills as you work with us in the shared goal of producing high quality biodynamic produce. The work will be diverse and will include work in fruit and vegetable production from seed to harvest, care of livestock, working in the ornamental gardens, participating in group tasks, facilitating events and visits and helping in the shop and tearoom.

The right applicant will display a strong work ethic and a desire to live and work in a community setting.
www.walthamplace.com
Contact : André Tranquilini
01628825517
estatemanager@walthamplace.com

Tablehurst Garden Apprenticeship/BD-student Vacancy

Tablehurst farm is a 700 acre farm based in the heart of Sussex. Part of the farm comprises a market garden of 7 hectares which includes 6 large Polytunnels for growing and 3 smaller tunnels for propagation.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR A MOTIVATED AND ENTHUSIASTIC PERSON TO JOIN OUR ESTABLISHED TEAM WORKING IN THE GARDEN. ALMOST ALL OF OF WHAT WE GROW IS SOLD THOUGH OUR FARM SHOP WHICH HAS BECOME VERY POPULAR IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY OVER THE LAST 3-4 YEARS, WE HAVE VERY HIGH STANDARDS WHICH WE ALL WORK TO IN PRESENTATION OF THE PRODUCE. A LARGE RANGE OF CROPS ARE GROWN IN THE GARDEN INCLUDING, SOFT FRUITS, FLOWERS AND OVER 50 DIFFERENT TYPES OF VEGETABLES.
DUE TO THE SIZE OF THE GARDEN A LOT OF THE WORK IS DONE WITH MACHINERY SUCH AS CULTIVATIONS, PLANTING AND WEEDING.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING AND LEARNING MORE ABOUT A MEDIUM SIZED VEGETABLE OPERATION OR WOULD LIKE TO VISIT PLEASE CONTACT TABLEHURST.FARM@GMAIL.COM FOR FURTHER DETAILS

Old Plawhatch Farm garden is looking for an enthusiastic, committed and hard working individual to join the garden team.

https://www.plawhatchfarm.co.uk

The position is for a person to be part of the Biodyanmic Work-Based Learning Diploma, formerly known as the Biodynamic apprenticeship. The successful applicant will be required to commit for 2 years of study and work. More information see: http://www.bdacollege.org.uk/we-have-two-trainings-which-will-suit-you/work-based-learning-course/biodynamic-work-based-diploma/

Old Plawhatch Farm garden is located in West Sussex, approximately 3 miles from Forest Row. The garden is co-managed by a team with Liz Charnell. It is a commercial, 12 acres Biodynamic market garden with 11 polytunnels growing a wide variety of vegetables throughout the year. The garden is part of the larger farm organism which comprises of a dairy herd, sheep flock, chickens pigs and a dairy processing unit. All of the farm and garden produce is predominantly sold through the farm shop.

We are looking for a person who is passionate about gardening and obviously has a keen interest in Biodynamics. The work in the garden is physically challenging and demands a high level of fitness and stamina. You will need to be self motivated, reliable and able to work to high standards at all times.

Accommodation is provided in a shared house with other learners and volunteers.

Further information or to apply, please send a CV and a cover letter to:

www.plawhatchfarm.co.uk/contact

office: 01342 810652

Nantclyd is a small family farm above the Ystwyth valley close to Aberystwyth in west Wales and has been organically certified since 1989.
We are a diverse mixed small farm comprising of 2 separate units both situated on the west coast of Wales, so it can be cold, wet and windy and the work goes on.

We have poultry, cattle, sheep, grow arable crops, field veg, polytunnels, compost and do farmers markets so we can offer a wide variety of experience for an apprentice; equally you need to be happy to learn to pick up many threads and weave them together with an abundance of positive energy.

Given the diversity of what we do I consider it necessary for someone to do a 3 month trial before committing to a 2 year apprenticeship and it is essential to have some practical farm experience before applying.

If you are interested please contact Liz by email nantclydfarm@gmail.com with details of your experience, contact details and reasons for wanting to do the apprenticeship, I will respond within 2days; further information can be found on the website www.nantclydfarm.co.uk, thank you.

Llanilar, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Wales.

Phone: 01974 241543

Open for applications now

Garden Apprentice Placements

Contact: Rike Witt
Address: Loch Arthur Camphill Community Ltd, Beeswing, Dumfries DG28JQ

Tel: 01387 760687

Website: https://locharthur.org.uk

Email: rike@locharthur.org.uk

Loch Arthur is a working Community in South West Scotland which includes men and women with learning disabilities. In Loch Arthur there is a farm, a large garden, a creamery, a bakery, a woodwork shop, a weaving workshop and a thriving farm shop. The community is comprised of nine houses and over seventy residents including about twenty-eight people in supported tenancies.

The work-based training we can offer at Loch Arthur Camphill Community leads to the Crossfield Institute Level 3 Diploma in Biodynamic Farming and Gardening and is based on a 550 acre estate which includes grassland, 60 acres of woodland and a 70 acre loch.

The garden area includes; 500m2 greenhouse for vegetable production, 4 acres of field vegetables, soft and top fruit, herbs, flowers and a large walled garden. The garden aims to produce sufficient seasonal fruit and vegetables for the Community with surplus produce being sold through our Farmshop.

Our mixed organic farm has been run under biodynamic principles since 1985 and has full Demeter status. We run a dairy herd of 30 dairy shorthorn cows plus followers which provide milk for our creamery. We also have a suckler beef herd, 100 breeding ewes and some Tamworth and Gloucester Old Spot pigs. These all provide meat for our Community and Farmshop.

Apprentices

The apprentice will be given a practical grounding through their day to day work in the garden which is supplemented by the Biodynamic Agricultural College Learning Programme. This includes 4 weeks of seminars/ yearly and support with their own, personal, on-going study of biodynamics. The apprentice would need to embrace Community life and live as part of the Community in one of our houses – all living and BDAC training expenses will be covered by the community. The duration for completing the course is at least 2 years. Applicants will be expected to spend some time as part of the community on a trial, before being accepted as a volunteer-apprentice.

Garden Trainer:

Rudy Bintein has been a biodynamic trainer since 1993. He trained with Karin Herms and Catherine Castelliz and has more than 25 years of experience as a Camphill gardener and grower in Belgium and the UK.

Rudy is committed to providing the apprentice with the support and practical skills he/she will need to complete the biodynamic apprentice learning programme.

We are looking for an enthusiastic apprentice who wishes to learn about farming through practical experience, working alongside grower Toos Jeuken who has 40 years experience in agriculture, both organic and biodynamic. Accommodation may be available. Livestock free. Semi-mechanical. Outdoor traditional seasonal vegetables and fruit are grown on this approx. 20-acre farm. Applicant must have a driver’s licence and experience or interest in learning to work with farm machinery. The apprenticeship is a two year full time position.

https://www.facebook.com/lainesorganicfarm/

Please enquire for more details by emailing both Toos and Rosa at:

toosjeuken@hotmail.co.uk

rosafarber@hotmail.com