Organic-research Jobs
Farm helpers
Worden Farm, Punta Gorda, FL, United States
Worden Farm is a 55-acre family farm, raising certified-organic vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers, certified-transitional-organic oranges, and a small herd of grass-fed natural beef cattle. The farm also has a 25-acre tropical fruit grove of avocados, lychee, and carambola, near Homestead, Florida. The growers teach intensive courses in horticulture and related subjects at University of Florida, and at the farm. Worden Farm is located 8 miles East of the charming city of Punta Gorda, on the southern Gulf coast of Florida – North of Fort Myers, South of Sarasota – a 1.5 hour drive from Tampa, 3 hours from Miami.
The area offers great beaches and nature-based recreation opportunities. The farm is adjacent to a 79,000-acre wildlife management area, and 1 mile from Shell Creek, a tributary of the Peace River. Apprentices work 20 hours per week through the winter vegetable season, from September 1 through June 1, with a minimum visit of 4 weeks. Tasks include planting, transplant production, irrigation projects, crop maintenance, harvesting, and direct-marketing through farmers markets and CSA.
Apprentices receive educational opportunities in organic crop production and marketing, and access to our extensive reference library on sustainable agriculture. There are large areas for camping trailers or tents. Tent platforms and tents can be provided. One camping trailer is available for a full-season worker or couple. There is a shared kitchen, and farm produce can be harvested for meals. No smoking, drugs, or alcohol.
Apprentices can be picked up from nearby airport, bus, or train stations.
Chris Wordenm, Worden Farm, United States, wordenfarms@aol.com
