General Farm Description: The Benson Place, a 60 acre certified organic farm growing primarily low-bush blueberries, is seeking one more apprentice for the 2026 season. We are located in the somewhat remote and beautiful hills of Heath, MA. We manage the blueberry fields principally by hand and we focus on plant nutrient density to maximize crop health and boost immunity towards plant diseases and insects. In order to further support the blueberry crop as well as the health of the ecosystem, we are gradually planting out 10% of our acreage in pollinator habitat designed for native bees.
In addition to the blueberries, which are the mainstay of the farm, we run a diverse, integrated farm and homestead with a herd of goats, a large minimally-hand tilled vegetable garden, meat chickens, and a diversity of other fruits. We are also beginning to plant out a 6-acre chestnut and elderberry silvopasture.
CRAFT Member Farm? No
Internship Starts: 1-Apr Internship Ends: 1-Nov Number of Internship Available: 1 Application Deadline: none Minimum Length of Stay: Seven months
Internship Details:
Apprentices will participate in and gain skills in the following areas:
Goats- milking, herding to pasture, pasture management, general maintenance, hoof trimming, basic cheese making, harvesting and processing
Poultry- general maintenance, pasturing/fence moving, chick rearing, harvesting and processing
Fruit and Nut Tree and shrub- establishment, maintenance, and harvesting, understory plantings
Firewood Harvesting and Processing/Tree Felling. Basic chainsaw use.
Vegetable Gardening- no-till organic methods, fertility management, pest and disease management, raised-bed establishment and maintenance, greenhouse management, transplanting, cover cropping, harvesting and storage, compost making
Blueberry- field maintenance, nutrient dense fertility management, harvesting and processing
Tractor Use- mowing, spreading amendments, moving logs and things around the farm
Building and repair projects as they arise
Basic permaculture design
Planting for pollinators- design principles
The apprenticeship entails an average of 46 hours (depending on weekend chore duty) of work per week with a stipend of $1650/month in addition to meals and lodging. The apprenticeship begins April 1st with an end date of November 1st.
Educational Opportunities: We visit other farms in the area and have educational video nights.
Skills Desired: Enthusiasm to learn about sustainable agriculture. Physical stamina.