Zephyros Farm Apprenticeship Job Description

The Job

Ideally we are looking for people to commit to our farm for two years, or have at least one full year of previous farm experience.  An apprentice (who is an employee) is expected to help in all the tasks of the farm.  An apprentice can expect to help perform any or all of the following duties: seeding, transplanting, pruning, weeding, soil prep/mixing, irrigation setup and maintenance, animal feeding/water, milking, rotational grazing, and cleaning of animal facilities, harvesting of vegetables, flowers, fruit etc, operation of small machinery, market prep, CSA pack out, record keeping, soil amending, spraying, and the like.  We like to provide the opportunity of going to market, making bouquets, small tractor operation and other more specialized tasks assuming an aptitude for the job.  We will work with you so you can experience all activities on the farm, and any areas of key interest.

Hours

During the busiest parts of the year at least 50-55 hours of work a week is expected with some weeks amounting to more.  The early spring and late fall seasons can be less.  We strive to give all employees two days off consecutively each week, though it may not be the weekend, as our markets are on those days, and the farm never stops.  Usually the days start at 7 and go to 4 but can be from 6 to 5, there is a time for breaks and lunch, with communal lunch on harvest days.  Some tasks are performed in the evening as the sun sets.  This job starts April 1 and ends October 31, but we can be flexible.

Pay

We expect 20 hours trade for room, board, and education.  This includes all the food off the farm, which is seasonal, bulk foods that we buy such as rice and beans, oil, salt etc, some meat from the freezer which is meat from the farm and from hunting, milk and cheese from the goats, and eggs from the chickens.  The twenty hours includes a room in the house or possibly the pop-up trailer, or Winnebago if you prefer.  The education that we provide is an experiential education.  It is a hands on learning opportunity to do the many things on the farm.  We have an extensive library that is available for your use, and we can help you find the right books for your interests. After twenty hours you are paid as a regular employee of the farm.  The first year the pay begins at the minimum wage, a review occurs after one month and a raise to $8/hr is possible, throughout the remainder of the season there are two more reviews and opportunities for raises.  We also consider experience when we set hourly raises, but are unable to pay a lot due to budget constraints.  A maximum of $10/hr is possible for the right candidate.  A yearly bonus is possible for those who stay for the full season and show they deserve it through their hard work.  The bonus is dependant on seasonal production and profitability.

Desired Qualifications

We need people who can work hard and are passionate about learning.  We are looking for people that have had previous farm experience, as we are interested in training future farmers.  We are looking for people who can work long hours doing strenuous and monotonous work.  A positive attitude and ability to work within a group dynamic and work alone while doing this hard work is expected.  The right candidate has a college degree and a desire to learn about sustainable agriculture.  We are seeking someone who can pay attention to many factors at the same time, able to learn from their mistakes, and think outside of just the task in front of them.   We hope those who apply are knowledgeable of Western Colorado and the climate here.  We will also be looking for those people who have shown commitment to other tough jobs or projects for long periods of time with good results.

WWOOFing  at Zephyros

(Willing Workers on Organic Farms)

The Mission

The goal of our WWOOF program is to get people experience on a farm that may just want an experience growing their own food, flowers and animals, or explore the idea of what it takes on a sustainable farm.  A WWOOFer can expect to help perform any or all of the following duties: seeding, transplanting, pruning, weeding, soil prep/mixing, irrigation setup and maintenance, animal feeding/water, milking, rotational grazing, and cleaning of animal facilities, harvesting of vegetables, flowers, fruit etc, operation of small machinery, market prep, CSA pack out, record keeping, soil amending, spraying, and the like.  Some things that are possible are going to market, making bouquets, small tractor operation and other more specialized tasks assuming an aptitude for the job.  We will work with you so you can experience all activities on the farm as best we can but that is dependant on your time commitment to the farm.

Hours

During the busiest parts of the year at least 50-55 hours of work a week is expected with some weeks amounting to more.  We give all WWOOFers two days off consecutively each week, though it may not be the weekend, as our markets are on those days, and the farm never stops.  Usually the days start at 7 and go to 4 but can be from 6 to 5.  Some tasks are performed in the evening as the sun sets.  We are generally looking for WWOOFERs throughout the season of May1-Sept 30^th when we are most busy, but may consider other times of year. 

The Agreement

We expect 40 hours of work for room, board, education, and a small weekly stipend.  This includes all the food off the farm, which is seasonal, bulk foods that we buy such as rice and beans, oil, salt etc, some meat from the freezer which is meat from the farm and from hunting, milk and cheese from the goats, and eggs from the chickens.  The room included is a choice of camping spots or possibly a pop-up trailer with beds, or a Winnebago if they are available.  The longer you commit to stay the more likely you are to get one of these spaces.  The kitchen is an outdoor kitchen that is part of our processing area.  The bathroom is a shared bathroom in the old house.  The living space is outside on the farm.  The education that we provide is an experiential education.  It is a hands on learning opportunity to do the many things on the farm.  We have an extensive library that is available for your use, and we can help you find the right books for your interests. After twenty hours you are paid as a regular employee of the farm.  The stipend starts at $50/week and will be reviewed weekly depending on your attitude and aptitude and we will then give you a raise and or bonus at the end of your stay.  The minimum stay would be two weeks although we prefer a month and more.

Desired Qualifications

We need people who can work hard.  We are not necessarily looking for people that have had previous farm experience, though that is considered.  We are looking for people who can work long hours doing hard physical and sometimes monotonous work.  A positive attitude and ability to work within a group dynamic and work alone while doing this hard work is all expected.  The right candidate is able to pay attention to many factors at the same time, able to learn form their mistakes and move fast.   We hope those who apply are knowledgeable of Western Colorado and the climate here.  We will also be looking for those people who have shown commitment to other jobs or projects for long periods of time with good results.  Our WWOOFers are also scheduled in so send us your exact preferred dates as we need to fit different people in over the course of a season. 

How to Apply

Please send a resume, and/or a letter of intent, and the dates you would like to WWOOF to dlareau@tds.net or call 970-527-3636 with any questions.

Leaving the farm is not something that one gets to do too much when the farming season is happening.  It is hard to leave behind all the weeds that need weeded animals that need feed, and all the great food that we produce.  Having someone else’s eggs never can match up to what we have here on the farm.  But having a great support net of employees, interns, and my wife I was able to get away.

I went to capital hill, the capital hill in D.C. (which is not much of a hill for Colorado standards).  I went to lobby for all sorts of provisions in the upcoming farm bill that affect beginning farmers.  I was part of a ‘fly-in’ put on by the main lobbying arm of dozens of sustainable agriculture non-profits and interest groups NSAC (National Sustainable Agriculture Committee).  I was one of sixteen farmers that for two days went from congressional office to Senate office handing out a near final piece of legislation to try and garner support and sponsors on both sides of the hill for this piece of legislation being introduced within a month or so. 

There are many parts of the farm bill that originate as their own bill and eventually get swept up into the farm bill, which theoretically is happening in 2012, but that is unlikely to happen.  It is possible that it could happen this year, but most likely is that it will happen in 2013.  The Beginning Farmer Opportunity Act of 2011 that we were selling, and we really were selling the idea, is something that is new to the last farm bill.  There were always a few little things about beginning farmers in the farm bill.  When the last farm bill in 2008 was passed it had a comprehensive list of things that can help farmers get going. 

Most of these things are taking programs and departments that already exist and make them recognize beginning farmers as a particular sect of farmers that need special attention.  The average age of a farmer these days is someone well into their 60’s.  Most new farmers are trying to buy land as they have not inherited it, and land prices across the country are not usually based on the price of land for agriculture but instead on other factors.  And those are just a couple of reasons that giving beginning farmers a hand makes sense, and oddly enough is something that has bipartisan support, as we learned shopping this bill around the corridors of congress.

The best part of the trip was learning that one can just go into these offices and tell them what you think, and that through a coordinated effort sustainable and organic agriculture does have a voice in Washington however small it may be.  I am sure I passed people in the halls of congress who were there lobbying for genetically engineered foods or subsidies for corn, soy and cotton.  But on that day we were looking out for young farmers who will be the future of our food supply.

By the time I got home I was ready to become a full fledge potlitico.  But once I turned down the drive and saw how much the tomatoes had grown in jut two days, and had the taste of a farm fresh egg I knew that the world of capital hill is best left to someone else, and thank god there are those who can do it for us small farmers.  I will tend the farm and hope they remember we are all out here making a new agriculture happen.  Nowhere is it as flourishing as in our little valley.

The best of plans, ah remember winter?  It is not really that hard since it is still cold, snowy, muddy, and the mountains are covered in white.  Winter, the time when the hope spring runs eternal right?  Seed catalogs lull us into thinking that growing anything is possible.  And we order that seed and make the best of plans.  The problem with farming, and especially farming in Western Colorado is that plans are just that a plan.  But farming deals with weather and with weather comes the theory of chaos.  And out the window goes the plans.  

So many businesses start the engine up and turn the machine on and they crank out widgets.  Farming does not quite work like normal business.  We are subject to the normal ups and downs of economies, inflations, gas prices, etc, but also consistently year in year out, the weather.  And as weather gets weirder farming does too. 

We have not been in the valley long enough to know, but after eight years one would think that we would have experienced a normal year, but according to the ‘old timers’ there have been no normal years since our arrival.  Despite this difficulty each year we farmers make plans.  Usually grandiose plans, but without plans where would we be?

This year, as you may have noticed it has been the cold and wet that has changed the (I assure you) best laid plans.  It is a refreshing change from the wild winds, desiccating fronts of Utah sand, and cold (though there has been some of that too).  We can never complain about rain in the desert west.  But it has made it difficult to see those plans to fruition.  Soon I assure you people will be complaining about the oppressive heat.  So enjoy the rainy and cloudy and cool days.

But let me tell you what has happened to those plans.  The bad news is that you should not expect tomatoes too early, but it is still too early to tell really.  They would like to be in the ground but instead find themselves still sequestered away in the greenhouse.  But lets be honest hot crops in western Colorado are really a luxury.  Of course there are those high tunnel tomatoes that look great, so all hope is not lost.

This year one thing we did right was plant lots of peas and favas.  They are doing great and loving this cool wet spring.  W love these crops as they fix nitrogen while producing a crop that we can never have enough of according to our customers.  Those who do the picking would disagree.  But once they are picked and returned to the soil the ground is no worse the wear. 

Lettuce and bok choy have also loved this weather and are growing well.  A few months back they were only in the greenhouse but now have been allowed a chance in the real world, and are prospering with the cooperative weather.  We actually do have some tomatoes in the field but they are continually covered up and do not seem to be growing.  They seem to almost resent us for having placed them into such an inhospitable environment after the relative warm of the propagation house. 

The best laid plans may come to fruition yet, as the spring of hope still pours forth.  It is a well that runs deep on any ground farmed.  Without that well, farming and food would revert back to a society of scavengers.  With hope we will certainly do better than that, but it is just unpredictable what will do the best this year.  It certainly seems as different year to year as the weather.  

2011 Farm Dinners and Events

July 5th, 2nd Occasional Funk Feast Featuring

Big Sams Funky Nation

Big Sam's Funky Nation have established their presence on the forefront of the New Orleans music scene. Trombone powerhouse and band leader "Big Sam" Williams, formerly of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, has been celebrated as "the top man on the slide trombone in the birthplace of jazz" by the San Francisco Chronicle and the band has been touted for consistently "bringing a straight raw party" by Jambase. 2010 has been a busy year for The Nation, with two European tours (France and Greece), a recurring role in the new HBO original series "Treme", and a busy US touring schedule including festivals such as the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Bonnaroo Arts & Music Festival, South by Southwest, Doheney Blues Festival and Gathering of the Vibes. For 2011, BSFN does not intend to slow down. The momentum BSFN has recently accumulated will only continue to grow off of the successful release of their fourth and most prolific album to date, King Of The Party. Be on the lookout for BSFN's masterful blend of a rock, with an improv-style associated with jazz and a horn-heavy front section that's the hallmark of funk. The energy level is always high voltage when BSFN takes the stage.

The dinner & the show

Dinner starts at 6:30 with wine and beer included for $60, or w/out wine and beer $55.  The meal features the cooking of renowned local Chef and winemaker Yvon Gros of Leroux Creek Inn & Vineyard

Food menu elegant down home Rocky Mountain inspired New Orleans cuisine!

The show a la carte

The show starts at 8:30 with Big Sam’s Funky Nation out under the stars

Ticket includes Beer:  Advanced $20, door $25

Ticket only $15

Kids Funk for Free

Come and eat some grubbin' local food and get down with some pure New Orleans Funk from Big Sam's Funky Nation!  Beer and Wine included with the purchase of a ticket.  Tickets are available at Hardin’s Natural Foods in Hotchkiss or at Paonia Farm Supply in Paonia, or call Zephyros at 970-527-3636.

Tickets:

Available at Hardin’s Natural food in Hotchkiss

Paonia Farm Supply in Paonia,

Or by calling the farm @ 527-3636

2010 Farm Events

August, 23rd, 1st Occasional No-Cash Farm Bash

WHEN: Monday August 23rd, firing up the stoves at 2ish. 
Shared dinner at 7 sharp.

WHAT GIVES: This is a down home Hootenany. Celebratin' what we all have to offer- food, art and community. Come prepared to COOK, PLAY AND EAT TOGETHER. Get back to the root of the matter.

No Spectators ~ only Spectaculars! 

COST: what ya got to share and cook? No Cash, No Kidding. This is free for all, and a free-for-all.

Bring it. Share it. Eat it in fine company.

What we got: Farm & Fun. 

Food to Contribute:Real, Ripe, & Local. 
Bring what YOU grow or buy it from a farmer who you know and love.

2009 Farm Dinners

 First Annual Local Food and Funk Fest on July 7th 2009, Featuring 

APHRODESIA

Culinary School of the Rockies Celebration in the Field

September 15th, 2009 5:00-9:00PM

Join with Zpehyros Farm and Garden and The Culinary School of the rockies for another Celebration in the Field Dinner.  Last years dinner was one of the best dinners that we have ever had and so we will be celebrating with the student chefs again as they culminate their week of adventures on local farms.  Come eat what they have learn while being on the local farms, with around 15 chefs it is hard to go wrong.  To make a reservation please go to Celebration Dinner or call 303-494-7988.  We look foraward to hosting you for this most unique event!

2008 Farm Dinners

The History of Farm Dinners at Zephyros

Thanks to working with Outstandinginthefield via our cohort Rebecca we have started a tradition of having dinners on our farm, and many others in the valley.  We have had the pleasure of working with the best local chefs, growers, and wine makers in our years of having farm dinners.  Below see some of our pictures which say a thousand words!  

 The table is set and ready for guests to arrive with rows of flowers and veggies behind!

Our September supper in 2007 was sponsored by the Kampe Foundation and celebrated the local farmers, forty of whom attended as the guests of the Kampe Foundation and Zephyros.  Pictured are some of the Homestead Ranch familes who keep our spaces open.

Guests seated at the table between the pond and the gardens.

The potatoes from Rivendell Farm

Russ Chapman takes a break

Chef Ryan of the Little Nell working hard

A toast and thanks to all who have made these dinners happen!

Another perfect night at Zephyros, come and join us again.

Love

Beauty

Quality

Unique

Other critters have begun to arrive such as the lacewings that we use in our greenhouses.  They come in bags from a bug lab and we spread them out, actually the oat hulls that they are living on when we get them throughout our greenhouses.  Then they pupate and eat all sorts of other bugs such as aphids that we do not want.  It is helpful to have the greenhouses to release them into as they can survive despite the cold.  They can be released into the field later in the season, but they do not always stay where they are put, so we use the greenhouses as a way to inoculate the rest of the farm. 

Also many perennials are beginning to push through where the snow has finally melted.  Over the years we have planted many perennials.   Some of them with an eye for what they can attract into the garden.  Many have multiple uses, such as yarrow which can be used as a medicinal plant, as a cut flower either fresh or dried, and as an attractant of beneficial insects.   Yarrow flowers have the key characteristic of very small flowers.  The beneficial insects are attracted to those small flowers.  The Apiacecae family or the Umbell family, flowers who look like an umbrella of little flowers are the ones to go for.  Think about cilantro, dill, parsley, and fennel all are great for attracting the right insects. 

These types of plants can be incorporated into a general plan of wild farming an idea made popular by Dan Imhoff who wrote a book titled, Farming with the Wild.  The idea is to create areas that allow for the wild in your farm.  Since we have a lot of deer fence around our place we try in other ways than creating wild life corridors.  We have been planting hedgerows around our farm, and try to include shrubs and perennials that will provide homes for birds, and bugs that are all good for our farm, from a functional and esthetic standpoint.  

So as you plan for the plants to put in that empty space in your garden try to take a holistic look at garden planning.  Elderberries are a great shrub that offers flowers for attracting good bugs and great berries for syrup later that is known for keeping the flu away.  Spireas are another shrub with great flowers for bugs.  There are many resources on the web and try to think of nectar sources for the whole season.  Also think about a bat house for keeping those mosquitoes at bay.  It may take a few years for them to move in but once they do they consume a lot of those summertime nuisances. 

As we wait for the Kestrels to move into their new home I am keeping those pesky starlings away with a bit of gun powder and bb’s.  My Uncle would not have it any other way.  It is exciting to invite so much biodiversity into our farm.  It is with biology that we farm, not in spite of it.  We put up with the good and the bad that biology has and constantly try to tip the balance in our favor.

Below is an account of a research project that we did on the farm about growing early season cut flowers and maketing them in the early season.

 Download Full Report Now

Summary: 

Market research and analysis for early direct market sales of cut flowers was conducted during the 2006 Farmer’s market season through primary and secondary sources. The primary research was conducted through a survey instrument that was developed and presented at the Southwest Marketing Network conference in Grand Junction, CO in the spring of 2006. The survey was distributed through website channels, at the Aspen and Carbondale farmer’s market and through Stinky Blooms Flower CSA. We received pertinent information on the purchasing preference of our customers which has enabled us to develop the floral products for our targeted Easter and Mother’s Day bouquet sales as well as early direct market sales. Temperature data was collected from the high tunnel by a HOBO data logger by which the indoor and outdoor soil and air temperatures were recorded. The maximum, minimum and average temperatures for each sensor were calculated and plotted on graphs. The growing degree days for the indoor and outdoor air temperatures, as well as, indoor and outdoor soil GDD were calculated from the temperature data exhibiting a distinct difference. A preliminary trial of cut flowers was conducted. Planting and harvest dates, stem lengths and flower quality were observed for certain varieties in order to determine which will be was most successful to grow for the Easter and Mother’s Day holidays of 2007. An overall increase in flower quality and stem length was observed for most of the flowers.

 Download Full Report Now

Come get your tomatoes, favorites old and new.  Some of the varieties of tomatoes we carry are Black Cherry, Green Zebra, Brandywine, Striped German, Sun Gold, Yellow Pear, Chadwick's Cherry, Black Krim, Cherokee Purple, Nyagous, Green Grape, San Marzano, Roma, and many more.  Also do not forget our great selection of Basils, large leaf, Genovese, Thai, Lemon, and Purple.  Later in the year get a jump on melons, squash, pumpkins and winter squahs. 

Zephyros in the New York Times!

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/06/08/travel/08Choice.html

Delta County Independent

http://www.deltacountyindependent.com/news/north-fork/10088-teens-on-farms-is-a-success-in-its-first-year.html

http://www.deltacountyindependent.com/news/north-fork/4523-chefs-are-transformed-by-the-north-fork-valley-farm-to-table-experience.html

Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/archivesearch/ci_13124151

The Denver Post

http://blogs.denverpost.com/preserved/2010/08/24/the-zephyros-experience/729/

Edible Aspen

http://www.ediblecommunities.com/aspen/online-magazine/summer-2008/from-the-land.htm

http://www.ediblecommunities.com/aspen/online-magazine/spring-2010/from-the-land.htm

As a certified organic grower of a huge diversity of flowers here at Zephyros Farm and Garden we have fallen in love with floral design.  Growing the freshest organic flowers and most unique and novel varieties, which are not all available to florist, we are able to create a distinctive look for your wedding or event.  Working with us shows your support of organic growing practices, and local producers.  Our specialties include bride’s bouquets, table bouquets, large arrangements, boutonnières, corsages, and a range of other fun floral products such as pomanders, collars, wreaths, and petals for flower girls. 

We would love to work with you in creating the perfect feeling you desire for your wedding ceremony or special event.  Our website has many wonderful pictures to get your ideas flowing.  Below are the services we provide:

Full Service Wedding

If you are looking for a full service florist/designer who can be at your wedding we can talk with you about the various options.  The minimum on this service is $1500.

A la Carte Wedding Flowers

This is for the cost conscious bride who wants to pick and choose floral items.  Choose each item and we will give you a quote based on the quantities and types of flowers we discuss. 

Bulk Wedding Flowers

This is an option for the creative, do it yourself bride.  We offer flowers for sale either by the stem or bunch.  The minimum order is $250 to receive bulk pricing.  You will need to know how much and of what kind of flowers you need.  If you need help to figure it out we are happy to help for a design fee. 

If you have any questions about the flowers try visiting our flower slide show.  Please do not hesitate to call or email and we will be happy to provide you with a quote, contact us here.