Internships & Apprenticeships
Walpole Valley Farms is seeking motivated folks who are interested in learning about pasture-based farming. An internship, 3 or 6 months, or an apprenticeship, 12 months or longer, will provide on-farm training focusing on how to raise broiler chickens on pasture with daily moves, raising turkeys and laying hens with three to five day pasture moves, raising grass-fed beef cattle using holistic management techniques such as rotational grazing, and raising hogs in a pasture or woodland rotation. Our farming techniques focus on soil health and constant movement of animals. While our farm is not certified organic, we strictly adhere to organic and regenerative practices, never spray with any chemicals, and only use a non-GMO feed from a small family farmer. We also operate a bed and breakfast on the farm property and a farm-to-table restaurant five miles from the farm where most of the meat that we raise is served.
Some of the experience you would expect to get is setting up and removing cattle and poultry fencing, daily animal moves, feeding and watering animals, collecting eggs, learning the ins and outs of managing a farm store, learning about intake and the inventory of farm products, pricing products accordingly, learning about and how to use electric fencing, feeders, equipment such as mobile coops, how to drive an ATV, hospitality, and more.
The ideal candidate or candidates must enjoy the outdoors and working with animals, have a desire to learn the basics of sustainable agriculture systems, have a friendly and adaptable personality, and be able to ask for help when needed. Teamwork and communication are important in our ever-evolving line of work, therefore the ideal candidate is excellent with text, email, and verbal communication.
Because we have three farm related businesses (the inn, the restaurant, and the farm itself), being aware of how the three work together is important to understand as the integration of the three is what drives our mission.
Internship and apprenticeship compensation include free housing with all utilities and WiFi included, a monthly farm food allowance, $1,000 monthly stipend, and discounts at our restaurant and inn. Schedule is based on a 40 hrs work week, with 2 days off per week.
Start dates in 2024 begin in early May, dates are flexible. Email for an application or if you have questions before applying.
Chris Caserta, Owner
chris@walpolevalleyfarms.com
About Us
We are Chris and Caitlin Caserta and have been farming in beautiful southern New Hampshire since 2006. It all started when raising chickens for family and friends. We then rediscovered how food was meant to taste!
With that, our mission was born. To humanely and sustainably raise meat of the highest quality while increasing the health and vitality of the land's soil.
The farm, a pasture-based livestock operation, utilizes regenerative and holistic management practices to raise healthy food for communities while healing and building soil.
In June of 2017 we opened The Hungry Diner, a fast casual farm-to-table restaurant where all the meat and eggs served are from Walpole Valley Farms and attention is put on all things local and quality.
In 2019, we continued the family ownership from Jacqueline Caserta of The Inn at Valley Farms, allowing us to offer the full farm experience for travelers and locals alike.
