Listing Information
Number of Workers Sought
2Type of Farm
Hay & Forage, Grain, Large Animal (cattle, sheep, goats), OtherMarketing Strategy
Commodity, OtherMarketing Strategy (Other)
We have direct relationships with organic food companies and processors.Paid
YesPay Rate
$600/month stipend plus full room and partial board.Housing
YesDescribe yourself, your family, background, farming experience, philosophy, goals and interests
Vilicus Farms is a nationally recognized first generation, organic, dryland crop farm in Northern Hill County, Montana. Owned and operated by Doug Crabtree and Anna Jones-Crabtree, Vilicus Farms grows a diverse array of organic heirloom and specialty grain, pulse, oilseed and broadleaf crops. As champions of organic agriculture, Anna and Doug are committed to modeling agricultural land stewardship at a scale that matters, and to developing a community of like-minded farmers who share their vision. Anna and Doug launched a beginning organic farmer apprenticeship program in 2013 to support the establishment of new farmers in the Northern Great Plains. Since 2009, Vilicus Farms has grown from a 1,280-acre organic farm to a 9,600-acre organic farming operation that is cultivating a conservation-based ethic for sustainable food production and stewarding beginning farmers in Montana’s Northern Great Plains. With the help of Farm Operations Foreman Paul Neubauer, Vilicus Farms aims to provide educational opportunities through the farm in the form of Internships and long-term Apprenticeships. Our vision being the establishment and growth of young farmers in our area.Describe the physical setting of your farm and the nature of the community in which you live
We will be farming and stewarding a total ~9600acres in the 2022 season, we also steward about 2000 acres of prairie and pollinator habitat as part of our commitment to soil and habitat conservation. The farm is divided into four distinct "units" spread over the breadth of northern Hill County. The area is remote and sparsely populated, land use is overwhelmingly wheat farming and cattle ranching.Describe your farm operation
Vilicus Farms is certified organic. We raise a diverse array of food crops and cover crops in a 5-7 year crop rotation. The farm fields are broken out into cropped strips divided by un-tilled buffer strips, many of which are seeded to native pollinator habitat. The crop rotation and strip-farming system allows us to manage for weeds, reduce wind erosion, build soil-health, and provide wild-life habitat throughout the farm. We also custom graze cattle on cover crops.
Describe the work to be performed by applicant
There are two distinct internship positions available, they are as follows:General Farm Team Intern:
The intern will be given broad exposure to many aspects of our farm through their work: tractor operation first and foremost, some trucking as skill allows, organic weed management, facilities management and upkeep, vehicle and equipment maintenance and upkeep.
Agronomy and Plant Science Intern:
Intern will be focused on soil sampling, crop scouting and the record-keeping therein. Relevant practical application for academic study of soils and or agronomy/plant science.
It is important to stress that both internship position will be required to step in and help execute the duties of the farm as need demands. There is no difference in pay for the different internships, the difference in work focus should reflect the interests of the applicants.
What do you expect of a worker?
Interns will be expected to work 6 days a week, with the day off being scheduled at the beginning of the internship. Days off are flexible and can be banked up in order to take multiple days off at a stretch as work conditions allow. Depending on the season Interns can expect to work 40-60 hours a week in middle of the summer, 60-80 hours a week in the height of planting or harvest season. Some of the work can be physically demanding. Intern should be capable of spending many hours outside at a stretch, capable of lifting fifty pounds, and have a valid drivers license.Describe the learning and educational opportunities available to a worker
Internships will provide learning and educational opportunity through an experiential framework. Interns will work alongside full-time staff of the farm and in close cooperation with the Farm Operations Foreman. Interns will establish some goals at the beginning of the internship which they will develop a plan to achieve in cooperation with the Foreman. The library of the farm will be freely available to interns. The Agronomy and Plant Science intern will have specific and focused opportunities to develop the skills within those areas in cooperation with Doug and Anna, the owner-operators.Are you a full-time farmer?
YesExplain the room and board arrangements or describe options in your area
Interns would live with Farm Operations Foreman at an on-farm house. Interns would share duties for maintaining cleanliness of the living space with Foreman and some meals and meal preparation. There is no smoking/drinking during work time. No drug use at any time. Having a drink or two after work is perfectly welcome for those of age. There is no smoking or tobacco use inside of farm buildings or equipment. There will be access to fresh organic produce ordered in bulk by the entire farm team which the intern can take part in as part of their board compensation.Please attach any photos of your farm and operation
