Mushroom/Agroforestry Farm, NY

Last Updated On: May 7th, 2026 at 07:37PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
6164 Deer Run Lane
Trumansburg, New York, 14886

Primary Contact: Steve Gabriel
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 6073422825
    Email: stevegabrielfarmer@gmail.com

Website: https://www.wellspringforestfarm.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: We are a small agroforestry-inspired farm in the Finger Lakes Region of New York on the Indigenous Lands of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ who have lived and continue to live on these lands.  We are entering our twelfth year of stewarding 40 acres of pasture and woodlands. We focus on producing a range of perennial and forest crops including maple syrup, pastured lamb, elderberry, and nursery trees, with our main crop being mushrooms. We demonstrate and develop systems that produce food and medicine while restoring healthy ecosystems.  We value community, honesty, integrity, hard work, and being in service to the larger world. As we farm, we seek ways to address the intersections of climate change, social equity, and environmental restoration.   Learn more about us at www.WellspringForestFarm.com

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: 4/1/2023
Internship Ends: 11/1/2023
Number of Internship Available: 2
Application Deadline: 2/15/2022
Minimum Length of Stay: 30 days

Internship Details:

 

Job Description

Join us and participate in a production, education, and agritourism enterprise that invites the larger community to connect via our products, educational events, and short stays in our two farm rentals. 

 

We seek individuals that identify as self-driven, detail-oriented, and skilled at honest and open communication. We support your learning and development on the farm and in agroforestry systems.  

 

Responsibilities

 

Mushrooms:  We manage both outdoor shiitake logs and indoor production of oyster, lion’s mane, and king oyster. Weekly work includes harvesting, inoculating logs and blocks, rotating blocks in and out of production, cleaning and sanitizing production spaces, and packing and delivering to restaurants and CSA. There are potential extra hours working a farmers market in Ithaca on some weeks (Weds 4 – 7pm)

 

Sheep: We manage a small flock of Katahdin sheep by rotationally grazing on about 30 acres of pasture and silvopasture. Weekly tasks include monitoring flock health, moving fences and water and hedgerow/woodlot management for forage. 

 

Trees & Nursery: We have a nursery of agroforestry plants focused on silvopasture shade + fodder species and elderberry.  Weekly work includes caring for nursery trees, data collection, and planting trees on our farm and at local farms we consult with. 

 

Yurt and Cabin Rentals:  Clean and set up two rental spaces several times per week as rental guests come and go, and take aesthetic care of the surrounding grounds with general landscaping, trail maintenance and occasional painting and repairs.

 

Education: Lead or co-lead farm tours and farm visits. Support workshops and other events.

 

Employment Dates / Schedule

April 1 to November 1. Depending on some TBD funding and projects, our ideal scenario is to hire two part-time employees for an average 15 – 20 hours per week each, as many farm tasks go smoother with multiple sets of hands. We may be open to one full-time person if it’s a good fit. 

 

Our ideal schedule being three days of the week, 9am – 1pm, and one full day of work, 9am – 5pm.  The week of July 23-30th we will  take a vacation and need staff to plan on handling farm operations.  

 

Compensation & Benefits

$17 – $19/hr depending on experience. Workers comp is provided as dictated by New York State Law. We are committed to providing above a living wage as defined by the Tompkins County Workers Rights Center.

 

Employees receive a weekly share of mushrooms, as well as a full vegetable share we pay for from a local CSA farm and free access to our online courses and on-farm workshops (as they occur). 

 

Skills & Qualifications

• Minimum of one season of experience working on another farm
• Experience managing pastured livestock, moving fencing, maintenance  
• Familiarity with machinery including tractors, chainsaws, and power tools (additional safety training will occur so proficiency, not expertise, is required)
• Communicative about needs, questions and farm happenings
• Detail-oriented and thoughtful about keeping spaces organized and clean
• High cleanliness standards for the rentals – higher than personal standards!
• Personality to observe farm systems and initiative problem solving
• Excellent initiative and follow-through with tasks
• A sense of pride and integrity in doing good work and holding oneself accountable
• Emotional maturity and life experience
• Applicants who are happy to work independently, as well as in teams
• A clear passion for farming and food, interest in the intersection of farming & justice
• Interest in lifelong learning and interaction with our students
• Reliable attendance at weekly meetings, organized to track tasks and report on progress
• Ability to lift 50 lbs and work in a variety of weather conditions

 

Commuting vs Living On Farm

There is no reliable public transportation to our farm. It is necessary that employees have their own personal vehicle.

 

There is the option to camp on-site for the summer free of charge, as many previous employees have done and enjoyed immensely. We have a rustic outdoor hot shower, compost toilet, and swimming pond on site. These facilities are shared with others when we are conducting educational programs and need to be maintained and clean throughout the season. We have had past employees bring their camper or tiny house, which we can negotiate.

 

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Wellspring Forest Farm provides equal employment opportunities to applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. We prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

 

As white people holding the deed to land still home to the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ, we recognize our privilege and power and are committed to actively exploring issues with openness and honesty, with the goal of dismantling racism and discrimination in our work, business, and the larger world. We encourage people of all backgrounds and races to consider applying.  

 

TO APPLY:

Please send the following items to stevegabrielfarmer@gmail.com as DOC or PDF:

1. LETTER introducing yourself and answering the questions:
   • How do your personal goals relate to our stated mission?
     (visit “About Us” at the www.WellspringForestFarm.com)
   • Your experience with production systems, livestock, mushrooms or other agroforestry systems?
   • What does detail-oriented mean to you?
   • What approach to work do you take? What does it mean to have “completed” a task?
   • What is one skill you’d like to build while working with us?
2. RESUME or a listing of relevant farm and other life experience

 

Send docs to: farmers@wellspringforestfarm.com with “JOB APPLICATION” in the subject line. 

 

We review applications as they are received and will start interviews in early February until the position(s) are filled. If we have a good interview we will ask for two references to call or email.

 

Educational Opportunities: learn mushroom cultivation and agroforestry practices

Skills Desired: see description

Meals: no

Stipend: yes, hourly wage

Housing: no, but can host your set up

Preferred method of Contact: text, email