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At Sweet Union Farm, we believe that vegetables are beautiful, land is to be respected and community is our strength. We are passionate about growing the highest quality vegetables for our community and making them accessible to everyone. We seek balance, intentionality and excellence in all we do ecologically, socially and economically.
Katie Swanson has been farming for 10 years and just completed her eighth season owning/operating Sweet Union Farm. Sweet Union’s farm Enterprises are diversified vegetables. Our sales outlets include Farmer’s market, restaurants, farm-to-school and the local food hub Klamath Grown. Sweet Union is a very intensively managed and productive small farm. Sustainability is a top priority in making this farm healthy for all the species that live here, emphasizing diversity, soil-building, and water saving.
Full Farm Description Available Here: https://www.roguefarmcorps.org/host-farms/sweetunion
For the 2025 season, The crew will mostly consist of myself plus two part-time RFC Apprentices. There may be one other part-time employee that runs the farmers market booth.
The Apprentice will gain experience in annual vegetable production in the following ways: flipping and prepping beds (hand tools, tarps & BCS), direct seeding (Jang), transplanting (by hand & Paperpot), greenhouse seeding, cultivation and weed management, season extension techniques, irrigation, harvest, wash & pack. Tractor training can be discussed, although this is typically reserved for one crew member per season who has at least one season on the farm. Apprentices will learn about the various sales outlets and have opportunities to work the farmers market booth. There may also be opportunities to work on other projects around the property, such as managing and expanding the native plant hedgerows and riparian habitat. We will also have a few sheep that they can help take care of. Additionally, there will be opportunities to learn about the back end of farming and how we manage the business. We also typically host a few field trips every year, so the Apprentice can learn how to lead a class field trip on the farm. If the apprentice has another particular area of interest, I will do my best to arrange the schedule so that they can participate in that aspect of the farm.
In addition to farm work and farm business management, the Apprentice will have the opportunity to learn about community food systems work and how to develop partnerships in order to increase access to produce. Katie is the co-founder of the local food hub, Klamath Grown, so there is ample opportunity to get involved in that work.
QUALIFICATIONS
At least one season of agricultural experience is preferred but not required. Most important is experience doing physical labor outdoors.
Strong communication skills, ability to self-advocate and communicate needs
Ability to work efficiently and consistently with others and independently
Ability to follow instructions, open to constructive feedback
Positive attitude and ability to have a good time while being productive.
Learner mindset, asks questions and shares ideas from own experience.
Observant, attention to detail and takes initiative to fill needs or solve problems
Strong work ethic, desire to do high quality work
Ability to do physical work in all weather
Provided training, ability to operate hand tools and equipment, including the BCS.
Ability to lift 40 pounds repeatedly
Clean drivers license and reliable vehicle to get to work on time
An in-person visit is preferable, but if that is not possible, we can work around that.
EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
Apprentices join other beginning farmers for an Educational Event Series facilitated by Rogue Farm Corps.
The full event series includes:
RFC strives to make all educational events inclusive and welcoming to people from all backgrounds and identities. Classes, tours, and discussions are led by Rogue Farm Corps staff, agricultural professionals, and expert farmworkers/farmers. Some classes in person, many will be held online.
For more information on these events, please visit our event series page and sample schedule.
FEES / SCHOLARSHIPS
Program fees are $485 for Apprentices at Sweet Union as it is one of our Satellite Host Farms. Some Rogue Valley Events may be within a 90-minute drive from Sweet Union. RFC has scholarships available with priority given to participants who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA2s+, veterans, those who have been impacted by the carceral system, and low-income participants.
COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Rogue Farm Corps is committed to an ongoing learning process around privilege, power, inequality, and systems of oppression. RFC has a goal of making our programs welcoming to, inclusive of, and accessible to communities who are under-represented as farm operators in Oregon, including women, Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/e/x, and other people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA2s+ individuals, low-income individuals and immigrants. Our desire to create a more equitable food system is reflected in RFC’s programs and collaborations.
Learn more and apply: http://roguefarmcorps.org/apprenticeship