THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST IN OUR FARM.  OUR APPRENTICESHIPS ARE FULL FOR 2012.

Best time to contact us about apprenticeships is mid September through November of the preceding year.

We do hire seasonal workers, mid May through mid October, for weeding and bulk harvesting.  Hourly wage, no housing.  Please contact us for more information.

Fort Hill Farm is a 20 acre farm in the hills of northwestern Connecticut producing certified organic vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Our markets include a 300 share CSA, one farmers market, and wholesale accounts.   The farm is leased from Sunny Valley Preserve, a project of The Nature Conservancy, which consists of nine farms and bordering woodlands.  The farm cultivates about 16 acres of vegetable and cover crops.  In addition, we have three greenhouses and a large high tunnel for production of transplants and in-soil tomato production.  The farm is certified organic, and uses a broad range of biological farming approaches such as extensive use of cover crops and on-farm composting.  We use machinery for most tillage and many planting, cultivating, and harvesting operations and train apprentices in the use of this equipment.   The farm is located near town, with quick access to many great hiking and canoeing opportunities in northwestern Connecticut. 

Three full season apprenticeships are available at the farm each growing season, from the first Monday in April through the Friday before Thanksgiving.  Applications are accepted year round, fall is a great time to apply.  Apprentices participate in all aspects of crop production, including planting, cultivating, harvesting, market sales, and CSA distribution.  Practical training in organic crop and overall farm management is offered, as well as training in tractor operation and maintenance.  My goal is to give apprentices the opportunity to learn the skills they will need to manage their own farm. In addition, Fort Hill Farm is a member of CRAFT of Western Connecticut.  Apprentices will have the opportunity for monthly visits to area farms to tour the farm and hear about that farmer’s area of expertise (see http://www.bloomingfieldsfarm.com/cft_frameindex.html for more info). 

We also keep a small layer flock for egg production for the crew, and raise chickens and turkeys for ourselves and our crew.  Plus all the veggies you can eat.

Previous farm experience is helpful but not essential.  What is essential is a desire and ability to do outdoor, physical work in all kinds of weather, a sincere interest in farming, and a desire to learn more about it.  Work schedule is five and a half days a week, 40 to 50 hours per week.  Apprentices are paid an hourly wage of $8.50 an hour for farm labor and on the job training.  Craft visits and other on-farm educational opportunities not paid.  Affordable housing is available next door to the farm, contact us for more details.  Apprentices completing the full season earn a $500 year end bonus.  To apply, please send a resume and a letter of intent to Paul Bucciaglia, Fort Hill Farm, 18 Fort Hill Rd., New Milford, CT 06776, or email to pbucciaglia@yahoo.com.  For more information email pbucciaglia@yahoo.com or see www.forthillfarm.com