Ridge to Reef Farm Students, and Work Exchangers

Internships & Apprenticeships

This is a truly unique farm and school, and is the only certified Organic farm in the Virgin Islands.

We take flexible individuals and couples with a primary motivation to serve others. Work exchanges are task-based and we offer no guarantee on what you get out of the program other than a lot of work experience. Our farm does not only grow food, but takes part in agritourism. Work-exchange positions involve a combination of tasks in addition to farming, such as hospitality (cleaning for visitors, helping orient guests, etc.) and educational program needs (registration for programs, site prep and clean-up, etc.) Alternatively, if you are new to farming or just want to broaden your skills in holistic living/homesteading in a setting focused on your development, please check out our Ridge to Reef Beneficial Farmer Training. In the R2R program, you are guided and mentored in a focus area of your choosing by expert instructors and farm staff. Continue

 

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are guided work experiences with mentorship in chosen key areas geared to your personal development and ability to manifest sustainable farming and healing projects in your home communities. Choose one of our four seasonal Ridge to Reef Sustainable Farming Pathways and one of the focus areas below for the time that follows. 40 hours of work, on tasks and assignments that help the farm operate but are carefully assigned to assist your needs, is expected per week. Apprenticeships include all-inclusive food & lodging, transportation to relevant events, and even a payback program. After having taken the Ridge to Reef class, apprentices will have to work at the farm until the next Ridge to Reef class starts. Thanks to the payback program they will earn $200 of the Ridge to Reef course fee back each of those months.

  • Farming Focus

Gain practical experience in organic gardening, agritourism, or sustainable systems.

  • Slow Food Focus

Gain work experience in food harvest, value adding, preservation, menu conceptualizing/executing, all with an emphasis on local ingredients. Explore the flavors and traditions of the islands. Join an extremely positive kitchen crew and help bring smiles to the many friends that we feed.

  • Whole Systems Educational Program Development Focus

Gain work experience in the development, promotion, and on-site management of educational programs in holistic sustainability. Programs will be created that employ a whole systems perspective in community, environmental, and economic development. Program topics range from slow food production, eco-tourism, value-added native arts, to university-accredited study abroad in agriculture and natural resource management. Apprentices who choose this focus should have strong creative ability and technological skills in document production, media relations, marketing, and writing.

Apprentices may be eligible to a longer work commitment with increased stipend later on.

Internships

Ridge to Reef Farm at VISFI periodically seeks hardworking individuals interested in gaining practical experience in organic gardening, agritourism, slow food cooking or sustainable systems for its internship program.  Work exchangers (this is not a volunteer program, but a trade) will be required to work 40 hours per week in exchange for a resume-building and adventurous tropical farm experience in the Virgin Islands that would cost thousands elsewhere.  An eight week commitment is minimum. Farm food that is not reserved for our market (for example, eggs usually go to our regular customers), basic staples (organic when possible), kitchen use, and housing are provided with a $200 on-site living fee. Interns are free to live off-farm and work in the days without a fee. Interns must be able to work reliably on tasks without constant supervision, and eagerly perform a wide range of needed tasks from cleaning toilets, to making beds, selling at markets, and weeding pineapples. Participation in VISFI workshops and programs is an additional cost.

Contact us for more details

Inquire here

Please provide a current resume, a statement of purpose, and a desired time-frame for your appointment.