Good Stead Farm

Last Updated On: May 7th, 2026 at 07:36PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
6099 N Meridian Rd
HOPE, Michigan, 48628

Primary Contact: Sarah Longstreth
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 9894924125
    Email: goodsteadfarm@gmail.com

Website: https://www.goodsteadfarm.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: Good Stead Farm is Midland County's first and only Certified Organic, woman-owned vegetable farm. 2023 will be our ninth season in production. We are a four season, diverse, small-scale production farm. Minimal tillage is favored which means the work tends to require more labor but is skill and efficiency minded. The majority of the food produced is sold and marketed through a three-season on-farm CSA, our online farm store, farmers markets, and local restaurants. We emphasize quality and taste, nutrient dense food, consumer food education, and production transparency.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: May-23
Internship Ends: September 2023 (slightly flexible)
Number of Internship Available: 2
Application Deadline: Ongoing
Minimum Length of Stay: 4 months

Internship Details:

We are now accepting applications for our 2023 Summer Apprenticeship!

This is a residential, full-season, and education-focused position. We’re seeking a conscientious, self-motivated, and detail oriented person who enjoys physical labor. Beginning in May and running through September, apprentices will be involved in the full spectrum of life on the farm. Work will vary greatly, from starting seeds in the greenhouse and preparing vegetable beds, transplanting, crop cultivation and harvesting, post-harvest handling, marketing, online order management, CSA set up and finally, engaging and interacting with the public. We ask apprentices to work 45 hours/week, Monday-Friday. In addition to learning production practices, we take time to discuss and go through the office oriented side of farming, including farm planning, record keeping, crop management, marketing, etc.

The educational component of this position is highly emphasized. Training is both hands on and done alongside the farmers throughout the season. Questions are not only welcomed but encouraged, as are after-hours discussion, reading and attending off-site farming-related events. Apprentices will also have the opportunity to learn the business of farming including record keeping, field planning and organic certification.

Having some previous farm experience, experience working outside in a physical capacity (landscaping, conservation, etc.), or even good service experience is a must. This position is geared towards those wishing to pursue a business in food production, small scale production farming, or for those of you that find deep satisfaction in hard physical labor and learning new skills. An ideal candidate will have: 1) Spent time working in a physically demanding, task oriented work atmosphere, 2) A flexible, humble and positive outlook, 3) The desire and ability to think critically 4) the ability to communicate effectively with farmers, staff members, and customers, and 5) an interest in small scale production farming and rural community living.

Educational Opportunities: The educational component of this position is highly emphasized. Training is both hands on and done alongside the farmers throughout the season. Questions are not only welcomed but encouraged, as are after-hours discussion, reading and attending off-site farming-related events. Apprentices will also have the opportunity to learn the business of farming including record keeping, field planning, marketing and sales, and organic certification. The apprentice model is one that we strongly believe in (it's how we got our start farming) - which means we take the educational component of your position very seriously. This is meant to be a hands-on, in person educational experience showing you the ins and outs of a labor intensive, crop diverse, certified organic production farm in the rural north.

Skills Desired: For our Summer Apprentice, having previous farm experience or experience working outside in a physical capacity (landscaping, conservation, etc.) or in a restaurant, is a must. This position is geared towards those wishing to pursue a business in food production, small scale production farming, or for those of you that find deep satisfaction in hard physical labor and learning new skills. An ideal candidate will have: 1) Spent time working in a physically demanding, task oriented work atmosphere, 2) A flexible, humble and positive outlook, 3) The desire and ability to think critically 4) the ability to communicate effectively with farmers, staff members, and customers, and 5) an interest in small scale production farming and rural community living.

Meals: All off-farm food is covered, you get unlimited amounts of our imperfect produce, and an additional monthly stipend of $80 to spend in our online farm store (this can be used on things like fruit, meat, honey, maple syrup, etc.). Everyone does cook their own meals.

Stipend: You will receive a monthly stipend of $1,200 plus an end of season bonus. A couple of other miscellaneous benefits: ​ To start the season, the farm will cover the cost of your work boots and provide you with work shirts. You will have the option of tending your own garden patch, with access to the farm greenhouse and seeds for your starts. Three days of paid time off. This has some stipulations and needs to be pre-approved.

Housing: Yes, the summer apprentice has their own small cottage but does share a common kitchen and bathroom in the larger cabin next door (a few paces away). Both cabins are aside the main farm house. Laundry is available on site and internet and utilities are included. We are a small, close-knit community and we're all participating and creating our farm home and environment together. We ask everyone to be respectful, kind and mature. No smoking is permitted on the farm and we do not accept pets.

Preferred method of Contact: Email