Richie Janssen

Hello Everyone!

I work on the small and beautiful Bertrand Farm just outside of Niles, Michigan as Production Manager for our CSA. We operate 10 acres of diversified production including vegetables, eggs, meat, fruit and small grains. I am entering my 4th season here and the farm itself is celebrating 20 years this year! Each year we take on at least 2 full time interns for about 3 months during the summer. They participate in all aspects of the farm and we give weekly classes as well. Typically we get students from nearby universities who come from many different areas of interest, and we have a few different options to help cater to each individual. Mainly we want people who want practical farming experience and want to operate on their own some day. That is what I want to do. That is why I am here. However we also have options for those interested in experiential teaching, education, and culinary arts.

We strive to be a place that fosters creativity and lifelong learning. Our CSA consists of wonderful people from all areas of the community, and its really fun to allow interns to plug in to their knowledge base. We are constantly evolving our practices, but don't pretend to have all the answers, so we welcome those with expertise or experience in any area.

It would be so great to get some fellow permies onboard this year! Shoot us an e-mail if you are interested. We are flexible and we want to work with you!

You can find more info on our website: http://bertrandfarm.org/programs/internships/

Thanks Eric! didnt see that at first. Looks like us permies are a little wary of government funding and havent explored this too much... or maybe most of us aren't running actual farm businesses and therefore not eligible?

Greetings!

Brand new to the site but just wanted to put out as many points of contact as possible. I am currently living and working for/with a family( not mine) on a 10 acre organic farm in Niles, Michigan. I started here 2 years ago as an intern and am now managing the crop production for the next two years. I obviously don't have much time to get out with all the things to do around here, nor do I particularly want to with all the things to do around here. I would like within the next three years to be on our own plot with a partner or four, one of whom I would be romantically involved with, making a living and healing some land.

I love adventure and try once a year to go someplace new to camp/hike/sample the local culture. I like to get things done and then sit quietly. I practice archery, cook often, love all plants and animals, play guitar, go for long walks when I can. I drink and smoke socially, though less and less each year. Oh, and Im 5'9" ~ 175 lbs

Looking for someone with any degree of experience homesteading, who is responsible, honest, caring and doesnt take themselves( or me ) too seriously.

Location, Location, Location...Does not matter a whole lot to me. I have friends/partners in crime with similar interests all over the country and I believe in "falling into place". So, I don't set my sights on anywhere in particular. Each place is a new experience, a new challenge. That being said, I would love a pen pal or a local gal, so PM me if you are interested!

Cheers!

Richie

Also here is a recent picture, one of me stuffing my face with some swiss chard I found on my most recent adventure, and one with the friends I was adventuring with.

As my first foray into the permies.com forums I wanted to as around if anyone has experience with getting funding(or not) for any permaculture practices from the USDA or NRCS. I was thumbing through a 2014 guide to "Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches, and Communities" booklet and although the descriptions of what qualifies are broad, it sounded like a good way to reach into Big Brothers pockets with the aim of healing some land. What they describe( shelterbelts, water capture/conservation, riparian buffers, woodland planting) sounds like it would fit well into any site plan.

So im wondering:
Has anyone tried to utilize goverment funding to work on their PermaProjects?
Any full site Permaculture plans get funded?
Anyone get laughed at and rejected outright?
OR are we all trying to do land conservation out of pocket?

PS. I looked around the forums and couldnt find much talk on the subject. Also wasn't sure where exactly to post this inquiry so it will likely show up in a few places.

Thanks!