Packshed Lead, Organic Veggies – Against the Grain

Last Updated On: May 7th, 2026 at 07:38PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
619 Camp Joy Road
Zionville, North Carolina, 28698

Primary Contact: Holly Whitesides
Secondary Contact: Andy Bryant

Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 8284064439
    Email: atgfarm@gmail.com

Secondary Phone
    Type: '-----
    Number: 8287739383
    Email: afb500@gmail.com

    Email: afb500@gmail.com

Website: https://www.atgfarm@gmail.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: Against the Grain is a small-scale diversified, certified Organic farm located 15 minutes from downtown Boone in Zionville, NC. The farm is situated on 35-acres and raises a broad spectrum of Biodynamic and Organic vegetables on a little under 2 acres, as well as Animal Welfare Approved, GMO-free, grass-fed beef. We focus on four main market channels, including a weekly farmer's market, a 20 week/115-member vegetable CSA, approx. 20 area restaurants, and two regional food hubs. The 2026 season is our fifteenth year in crop production and thirteenth year in animal production at our current farm place. We are continuing to refine our crop rotation, cover crop management, harvesting and composting techniques. Our focus at Against the Grain is to nurture the soil in order to grow high quality, nutritious food for our local community. Our vegetables are certified Organic by One Cert, using the NOP standards and also by the Real Organic Project. Approximately three quarters of our beds are transplanted every season, and the remaining beds are direct seeded. We plant a diversity of crops and successions in order to have product for our year-round markets. We have 4 field blocks, 2 heated 30x72ft high tunnels, 1 heated 30x96ft high tunnel, and 5 unheated 16x125ft caterpillar tunnels. Most of our field beds are planted 2 to 3 times in a season and our tunnel beds are planted 3 to 4 times. Our production system involves reduced tillage methods, so we use a flail mower, rotary harrow and silage tarps to prepare our beds. We control weeds predominantly with hand tools, in addition to the use of a Farmall Super-A cultivating tractor. We choose to build the soil by planting cover crops, spreading compost and mulching with straw. We also add organically approved single source inputs (alfalfa meal, rock phosphate and lime). True to Biodynamic methods, we view our farm as an organism; therefore, our focus is on building and feeding the microbial life of the soil, generating fertility on the farm and preserving sensitive ecological aspects of this land. We apply all of the Biodynamic preparations each season, and typically make a few of the preparations on farm. In order to remain profitable as a small farm it is a must to work quickly and efficiently. We believe that sustainability involves more than just methods of production. Financial sustainability is essential to the success of small farms. We are committed to keeping thorough production records and expect our crew members to participate. We are not a homestead or hobby farm, and therefore must keep the bottom line in mind. However, we also believe in sustainability of agricultural communities, and fully support the artistic, cultural, and social aspects of producing nourishing food.

CRAFT Member Farm? Yes

Internship Starts: Mar-26
Internship Ends: until
Number of Internship Available: 1
Application Deadline: until filled
Minimum Length of Stay: 2 years

Internship Details:

For the 2026 farm season, we are hiring a pack shed lead, who will work with farmers, Holly and Andy, as well as other general farm crew and farm management team members, Anthea, Anthoni and Connar.  If your goals are to gain more experience with packing and distribution of certified Organic vegetables on an intensive market farm, we welcome you to apply to work with us at ATG!

All members of the farm crew work at large on all aspects of vegetable production and harvest. In addition, each crew member fills one or more specific roles on the farm, depending on the needs of the farm and the interests and skill set of crew members.

The pack shed lead role is considered a management team position and includes but is not limited to the following:

-record keeping (update and manage harvest and pack records)

-communication and supervision of other crew members

-communicate with harvest crew regarding amounts of produce needed while harvest is ongoing

-spearhead quality control

-organize and facilitate the flow of the pack shed

-ensure pack shed is set up at the beginning of every harvest day and fully cleaned by end of day

-facilitate packing orders for all market channels

-advocate for needs of the pack shed with the whole team

-learn to generate, confirm and print invoices

-ensure pack shed supplies remain stocked via monthly inventory

-coordinate with CSA manager to facilitate weekly CSA box packing

-keep walk-in coolers organized and cleaned

We generally work Monday through Friday, 7:30am to 4:30pm (with an hour off for lunch) during the height of the season.  We anticipate that the crew member who fills the pack shed lead role at ATG will arrive with the intention of a 2 year minimum commitment to work at the farm.

We offer a 40 hour paid week off during the months of June or July for all full-time crew who are committed to working at least 6 months on the farm (though as mentioned, we anticipate at least a 2 year commitment).  Sunday to Sunday is the best vacation schedule (which allows for an 8-day break), but if starting one’s break on a weekday is necessary, the farm can only offer 7 days or 5 work days paid (ie Tuesday through Monday off and Tuesday back to work on the farm).  The farm also offers 4 hours of paid sick/personal leave for all full time crew members for every 173 hours worked (or approximately 1-month of full-time work).  Sick leave can also be used for personal errands and appointments.

For all management team members (which includes pack shed lead) who are returning for subsequent seasons, a second 40 hour paid week off is offered during the months of December, January or February.

We have a rotating Sunday chore schedule for all crew who live on the farm.  These chores will include opening and closing tunnels, livestock chores and watering seedlings/fresh transplants.  This schedule will result in crew members being responsible for weekend chores every third or fourth weekend, depending on how many crew members live on the farm. The time commitment for weekend chores will vary as the chore list varies, but expect a 3-4 hour time commitment.  We ask that the crew member responsible for weekend chores to stay on the farm for the day in case any unforeseen weather or other events occur.

Educational Opportunities: We always try to give instructions as we go and try to explain “how” and “why” along the way. We plan to have regular evening discussion/films on topics including soil fertility, Biodynamics, community dynamics and just plain fun. We also have a small farm library, to which apprentices and interns will have full access. We are not specifically a teaching farm, but we will do our best to convey as much of our knowledge as we can reasonably, while we work, and we offer crew members the chance to review our annual financials and crop analysis. There is a CRAFT network, hosted by Blue Ridge Women in Ag, which hosted field days on farms in our area, and we strongly encourage interns to attend.

Skills Desired: At least 2 years of experience working in diversified market farming.

Meals: No, farm crew members are responsible for preparing their own meals but unlimited produce and a meat stipend are provided by the farm.

Stipend: Hourly wage will be based on experience and is negotiable for the pack shed lead position but starts at $13/hr.

Housing: Yes, the housing includes on-the-grid, insulated sleep sheds and a common kitchen for cooking. There are composting toilets and a four-seasons insulated shower with hot water. Crew members also have access to an abundance of vegetables (seasonal and dependent on specific crop yields) and meat. The farm values room and board at $350/month. We also have a camper and tiny house that offer more private living quarters. Both are valued at $450/month.

Preferred method of Contact: email