TRAINING PROGRAMS & INTERNSHIPS
We make program recommendations based on your level of experience, interests, and future goals.
There are a number of training programs in the state and surrounding WV that might be the right fit for you.
There are also many farming opportunities outside of formal training programs. Here are a few! If you are interested in taking on a farm intern, please drop a quick note to our info@wvfoodandfarm.org account and we'll add you to this list!
TRAINING PROGRAMS
REFRESH APPALACHIA
Southern Coalfields
Refresh Appalachia, located in the Southern Coalfields, aims to transform the lives of young people and those displaced from coal mining. To help expand new businesses and develop entrepreneurs across our service area, we provide two core functions: the operation and management of a regional food hub and the operation and management of incubator farms. We operate seven farms across four counties in Southern West Virginia. These farms serve as training sites for our crew members and members of the community.
SPROUTING FARMS
Talcott, West Virginia
Sprouting Farms in Summers County, WV is a non-profit farm training center located in Summers County, WV. Programming for new and beginning farmers includes a farm apprenticeship that provides in-depth learning through paid apprenticeship and mentor support. Farms ready to launch with a business plan can apply to be incubator farmers and access growing space, tools, and bulk supplies along with continued mentorship and support.
GROW OHIO VALLEY
Wheeling, West Virginia
Grow Ohio Valley is working to improve food access and create a strong local food economy in the Ohio Valley. We operate five production sites, including an urban apple orchard, two high tunnel greenhouses, and a geothermal hothouse. Our AmeriCorps program engages beginning farmers in training and hands on experience with urban agriculture. Service terms vary from 1 year to 3 months in length, with opportunities for contract renewal. Trainees are involved in all aspects of the annual agricultural cycle, from enhancing farming sites over the winter, to field preparation and harvesting, as well as improving and documenting production processes and data collection. Join us as we grow a healthier future for West Virginia!
KISRA
Dunbar, West Virginia
Paradise Farms strengthens our community by helping those living with mental illness on their recovery journey. It does so by pairing participants with community residents and AmeriCorps members. These volunteers become friends and mentors, providing participants with social support and keeping them integrated in the community. You’ll learn real-life skills to support yourself and your family today. You’ll also be encouraged to be your own employer someday by learning about organic food, a growing trend that will provide opportunities long into the future.
Wages from $8 to $15 per hour
ON-FARM INTERNSHIPS
GRITT'S FARM
Buffalo, WV
Contact: Brad Gritt
Our mission is to inspire people to eat healthy food, learn about their food system, and enjoy moments interacting with others in a family farm setting. The Farm is located on two separate production areas. Our home farm located in the hills of
Buffalo, WV, utilizes 2 acres of greenhouses for hydroponic tomato, pepper, cucumber and lettuce production as well as annual, perennial, and tree and shrub production for our retail garden center and market outlets. We operate a farm market at our home farm, as well as, multiple mobile markets, a daily booth at the Capitol Market in Charleston, and a CSA program with deliveries occurring throughout the week. In the fall, we transition our home farm into an
agritourism destination with corn mazes, hayride wagons, and more. We cultivate 60 to 70 acres of mixed vegetable crops using. Crops grown include sweet corn, green beans, tomatoes, peppers, and more.
As we grow, we are interested in providing mentorship to beginning farmers and those wanting to scale up their production. If you are interested in agritourism, hydroponics, traditional growing, animal husbandry, or high tunnel production please contact Brad Gritt to find out more about what a mentorship could look like.
WARDENSVILLE GARDEN MARKET
Wardensville, WV
Contact: Vicki Johnson
vicki@wardensvillegardenmarket.org
We grow more than vegetables! The Wardensville Garden Market + Bakery is a 100-acre, nonprofit farm that gives good-paying jobs to local Appalachian youth, encouraging their entrepreneurial spirit through small-scale sustainable farming in an education-rich environment. At our launch in 2016, the farm employed 14 local high school youth. By the end of our first full year in 2017, we have created almost 50 new jobs and a year-round STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading Engineering, Arts, Math) program for local middle school students. Our garden produces naturally grown vegetables that are sold in our on-site, open air market and through our 20 member CSA program.
We are looking for hard-working, innovative, and forward-thinking interns in areas as diverse as sustainable agriculture, nonprofit management, green entrepreneurship, nonprofit education, and conservation education or related areas. You will work with your campus mentor and our staff management to craft your internship here at the farm.
Harmony Farm was established in 2012 and has doubled in size every year since! We will be selling our produce at 3 farmers markets and grow food for a 50 member CSA this season. We believe that good food is a right and we strive to provide as many people with our organically produced nutrient dense veggies, chicken, and eggs as possible.
We are founding members of the WV CRAFT program (Collaborative Alliance for Farmer Training), where interns will get to visit other farms in the state and learn other farming styles and techniques. Interns will also be provided with reading materials as well as participate in directed discussions in the field.
Working on the farm requires the physical capability to contribute daily in a rigorous, fast-paced agricultural setting. Farm work offers an incredibly rewarding and demanding work environment and life experience. Interns must be prepared and willing to work in all weather conditions, scorching heat or pouring rain or biting frost. We work 10 hour days (typically 8am to 6pm), Monday through Friday and one half day on Saturday or Sunday. Internship begins in April and ends in November. Please consider this commitment before applying.
MOON ON THE MOUNTAIN FARM
Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia
Contact: Patricia Stephenson
We produce Certified Naturally Grown produce, flowers, and herbs for local markets. We also raise merino sheep, alpacas and chickens. Wool products are a large part of the business. We do not raise animals for meat. The farm runs on solar and biomass.
EVANS KNOB FARM
Bruceton Mills, West Virginia
Contact: Kathy Evans
We are a Certified Naturally Grown farm raising rabbits, chickens, turkeys, meat and wool sheep, beef and dairy cattle. We have 3 acres of vegetables that we market in Morgantown WV to CSA and farmers market customers. We have been training future farmers for the past 10 years through our internship and WWOOF programs.
Do you want to be added to this list?
Contact Gabby Scrofano
Contact: Katharine Dubansky
katharine@backbonefarm.com
Diversified small farm in 19th year of operation. Certified Naturally Grown produce, berries, gourmet mushrooms, mixed livestock including pasture pig raising and breeding. Internship program in 18th year.
BACKBONE FOOD FARM
Oakland, Maryland
