Simple Earth Hops has an opening for a hopyard intern to work on our 200 plant hopyard in the rolling hills of Southwest Wisconsin. The hopyard is located in Dodgeville, 1/2 mile north of Governor Dodge State Park. The internship will run from June through early September 2012.
General Farm Description:
Simple Earth Hops operates a sustainable hopyard which is used for education, research and demonstration and is located near Governor Dodge State Park at Greenspirit Farm CSA. The hopyard is planted with old and new varieties of hops and was founded with the idea of providing a much needed agricultural product for local craft brewers. This Dodgeville, Wisconsin small-scale commercial hopyard is owned and operated by the Sweeny family of Dodgeville who cultivate biodiversity to slowly grow earth friendly hops for local brewers with similar locavore ethics.
Simple Earth Hops was established to demonstrate that local farmers can produce a consistent, sustainable supply of quality hops by working directly with local craft brewers while still maintaining a focus on ecology, the land and the people involved.
Internship Position Compensation:
- Housing is provided in exchange for work on the farm
- The number of hours per week is VERY flexible
- Housing includes a guest bedroom, with bath, kitchen, etc
- This is not a paid internship
- You will be required to provide meals
Intern's Primary Responsibilities:
- All aspects of the Farm’s production
- planting rhizomes
- trellis construction and maintenance
- hopyard irrigation
- working with local brewers
- field preparation
- cultivating/weeding
- harvesting
- farm events
- Wisconsin Hop Exchange meetings
- assisting with the CSA every week
Skills Required:
- A good attitude
- Willing to learn
- An open mind
- Able to work outside in the sun and rain (with exception)
- An interest in beer is not required but is recommended
- You don't mind kids
- Nunchucks
- A rain coat
Benefits of being an Intern with Us:
- Educational.
We will teach you everything that we know.
- We will give you access to all the research and relationships that we have established for the hopyard.
- Provides a unique opportunity.
This Organic farm gives you a chance to watch life grow from the ground up and literally taste the fruits of your labor as we use the hops to make beer for our hopyard events.
- Fun and Useful Experience.
This is an excellent chance to get your hands dirty and learn about sustainable commercial hops production in the Midwest.
- Exceptional Location.
We are blessed with one of the most beautiful locations in Wisconsin. The hopyard is located 1/2 mile from the State's 2nd largest State Park: Governor Dodge State Park. Because of this location, you will benefit from being centrally located in a recreational paradise, with a hiking system of more than 40 miles or trails, several nearby lakes, camping, yummy local beer, good food and a community of locavores.
How to Apply
To apply for the internship, send an email (to fattymattybrewing@gmail.com) with:
- your contact info [your address and phone number]
- a resume;
- 2 or more references and;
- a letter of interest including the following information:
* Why do you want to be an intern at Simple Earth Hops?
* What experience have you had working on a farm and/or with hops?
* Do you like beer?
* Do you have specific skills to offer?
* What do you feel you can learn here?
* Do you have your own transportation?
Please be sure to include your complete address, phone number and available start date so we can contact you about your application.
Please send the above info to fattymattybrewing@gmail.com
