Waterpenny Farm

Last Updated On: May 7th, 2026 at 07:35PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
53 Waterpenny Lane
Sperryville, Virginia, 22740

Primary Contact: Eric Plaksin
Secondary Contact: Rachel Bynum

Primary Phone:
    Type: Home
    Number: 540-987-8567
    Email: waterpennyfarm@gmail.com

Secondary Phone
    Type: Home
    Number: 540-987-8567
    Email:

Website: https://www.waterpennyfarm.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: "We grow 6 acres of pesticide-free vegetables (including 1/2 acre herbs & flowers) on 30 leased acres of an 850-acre farm. We go to two DC area farmer's markets, run a 60-member CSA (including shares for low-income families through a food bank), and also sell to a few restaurants and farm visitors. Our farm is located five miles east of the Shenandoah National Park in north central Virginia. We have a 40-year lease on a small, flat part of a large old farm surrounded by the foothills of the Appalachians. It's beautiful here. The farm is on the edge of Sperryville--a town of 800 known for an active artistic community--in Rappahannock County, a county of 7000 people known for strong opposition to development. There are no chain restaurants or stores in our county, though we are 30 minutes from several larger towns in neighboring counties, an hour north of Charlottesville, VA, and an hour and thirty minutes from Washington, DC."

CRAFT Member Farm? Yes

Internship Starts: as early as April 7th 2026
Internship Ends: as late as November 24th 2026
Number of Internship Available: 5
Application Deadline: rolling
Minimum Length of Stay: 3 months

Internship Details:

“We hire 5 or 6 interns each year. Interns participate in all aspects of sustainable vegetable production-greenhouse work, seeding, transplanting, mulching, irrigating, weeding, harvesting, sorting, packing, and selling. Interns work 5 days/week, totaling 40-50 hours/week depending on the season. We are a non-smoking farm.”

Educational Opportunities: We visit another farm or have a talk about an aspect of sustainable agriculture once a month. Interns also have countless learning opportunities through the daily work and life of the farm.

Skills Desired: "Anyone interested in sustainable agriculture and ready to work long hours outside is encouraged to apply. We look for people with good skills at working and living with others, the ability to learn with an open mind, and a willingness to work hard. A positive attitude and a good sense of humor are also a plus. "

Meals: "Interns share the kitchen, and work out a community cooking schedule as they choose. We provide liberal access to vegetables from the farm in season. We all eat together as a farm occasionally."

Stipend: "Starts at $2200/month, with a $75/month bonus at end of completed contract. Raises are likely for interns staying 6 months or more."

Housing: "Interns live together in a real house with a large kitchen and living space, with AC & heat. three single rooms and one double, as well as 2 single-bedroom sheds. Wireless high-speed internet provided."

Preferred method of Contact: Email