Not Looking For Labors; Looking For The Next Generation Growers that want to learn!

We have enjoyed interns on our Permaculture Farm for over 6 years.  What I have learned is that many have different goals ranging from their "last bit of freedom" before they surrender to the 9 - 5, other wanting to check out how "stuff" is grown and on occasion some that want experience before they take the plunge into the career of sustainable growing.  I've been asking our recent arrivals, that have interned/wwoofed elsewhere if they left with enough knowledge to go out and plan, design & run a farming operation.  The only answer I've gotten is "NO".  That's unacceptable to me as in the past 5 years, almost 75% of new growers have folded, lost their farms & their homesteads.

With our farm and our business maturing (yes, farming is our business) we are going to do things a bit differently going forward with the people that join us.  
We are accepting application from folks that intend to Homestead & Farm and are interested in understand the business of farming, marketing, advertising, running budgets, planning for the next season, keeping records as well as how to establish & run a sustainable permaculture based farm from crop selection to value added products, to running workshops and maintaining a farm.  We are looking for folks interested in spending at least 6 months on our farm, room & board, knowledge, candor and honestly is what we offer in exchange for hard work, candor, honesty and curiosity.

My goal is to ensure that once folks have had a open book experience here, they will be prepared to begin their own adventure with skills to grow well and be able to continue with their dreams.  I hope to help change the odds of success.  

Please check out our website (yes, it's in the midst of a redo) www.cricketscove.net .  Applications are under the "get your hands dirty with us" tab.  I will have 2 positions opening in mid September.  Thanks!

I think many people trade accommodation for some picking and weeding. Most of us are already quite familiar with how to pick and weed. It sounds like you are offering a more well-rounded educational experience. As such, you can be much more selective, and expect more in return from your woofers.

Thanks Dale - I hope so.  With all of the people that have been here, only 2 have gone on to be successful at their dream.  Time for another layer, eh?

This is exactly what I am looking for, unfortunately most will not even consider having me because I would be bringing a family along with me (a rather large family). I am well read in many areas of homesteading, as well as growing herbs and herbal medicine but sadly, besides my own small garden, I have no other hands on experience because I cannot seem to find a working farm or homestead willing to give me (and my family) an opportunity to learn.