New Life Farm
http://www.newlifefarmnc.com
newlifefarm.nc@gmail.com
ndilgert@gmail.com
5780 Mulberry Church Road, Lenoir, NC 28645
828.719.0853
Introduction
You can find our products at the High Country Food HUB, as well as several other local independent restaurants and stores in the Boone/Blowing Rock, NC area.
Products
About purchasing from New Life Farm…
“New Life Farm strives for top quality and it shows. I can always depend on finding produce in beautiful condition and meats processed and packed using best quality practices. Cory’s vision of sustainability permeates every aspect of their life and business. They warmly welcome others onto their farm and see it as a place to connect and build community.”
– Athalia, CSA member
Events
We periodically host educational (CRAFT type) events on our farm.
Employment
Our work schedule…
We hire apprentices from March 1st thru December 1st each year, with potential for longer term employment. A general work week (20-40 hours) will involve field crop management, pasture based livestock management, harvesting, assisting in marketing, and a wide range of other seasonal and routine tasks related to diversified food production.
Compensation offered…
We pay $9-$10/ hour (about $1400/month after taxes, if you’re comparing it to a stipend), plus food products from our farm. There is a campground 5 minutes from our farm. The campground rental rate is $80/ month, and has utilities to make temporary residency comfortable. We intentionally try to hire employees who are geared up to farm themselves one day, or continue on in a “carrier” within sustainable agriculture. Just as important as fair financial compensation, we strive to provide apprentices with a professional experience on our farm. If you are curious of how you could possibly fit into our operation, we are open to working around anyone’s unique schedule.
A unique component to our operation is our interest in actively seeking Military Veterans who are interested in pursuing sustainable agriculture as a vocation. While we do not necessarily give preference to Military Veterans, we do try to make an effort to engage the Veteran community to find individuals seeking a renewed sense of purpose through meaningful work.
Our location…
We are about 35 minutes South of Boone, an hour and 40 minutes NE of Asheville, and about an hour and a half North of Charlotte. Our farm is located in the middle of Pisgah National Forest, and there is a wide variety of outdoor activities within a short distance of our farm.
What we’re looking for…
Whether an individual has prior farming experience or not, we consider all potential interested apprentices. One of the best qualities an apprentice can bring to New Life Farm is a willingness to learn and the confidence to ask questions to better understand all of the ins and outs of proper and efficient farm management and production.
We value individuals who have a positive attitude, good comprehension skills, and the ability to self motivate themselves to see tasks to completion, in spite of rigor and monotony. We value open communication, as well as mutual respect in all matters. When and if issues arise, we value individuals who are able and willing to resolve issues in a respectful manner.
Apprentices at New Life Farm should possess a degree of physical fitness and endurance. Being able to work outside in a variety of elements is important. Apprentices must provide their own means of transportation, as well as possess a valid driver’s license.
At New Life Farm, we try to operate as a cohesive team that can communicate and execute in an efficient manner all and any tasks we are faced with on a day to day basis. As apprentices gain a better understanding of each related to work on the farm, we value individuals who take initiative and exercise situational awareness as they are engaging in a variety of day to day activities.
A unique component to our operation is our interest in actively seeking Military Veterans who are interested in pursuing sustainable agriculture as a vocation. While we do not necessarily give preference to Military Veterans, we do try to make an effort to engage the Veteran community to find individuals seeking a renewed sense of purpose through meaningful work.
To inquire about employment opportunities, please contact us by email at any time.
About working for New Life Farm…
“Cory is a wealth of knowledge in both produce, livestock, and business. He knows what it take to makes a living farming, and takes the time to teach apprentices while work is being done.”
– Noah, former apprentice
References
About purchasing from New Life Farm…
“New Life Farm strives for top quality and it shows. I can always depend on finding produce in beautiful condition and meats processed and packed using best quality practices. Cory’s vision of sustainability permeates every aspect of their life and business. They warmly welcome others onto their farm and see it as a place to connect and build community.”
– Athalia, CSA member
About working for New Life Farm…
“Cory is a wealth of knowledge in both produce, livestock, and business. He knows what it take to makes a living farming, and takes the time to teach apprentices while work is being done.”
– Noah, former apprentice
Author: Sera Deva
Sera Deva has a B.S. in Microbiology & Agroecology from The Evergreen State College. She is the former Director of Programs & Systems Design at OGS, is the President of the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SSAWG) Board of Directors, and is the Administrative Director for The Firefly Gathering. When she’s not geeking out over genetics, systems theory or soil hydrology, she spends her time growing and eating food in the South Toe Valley in Burnsville, NC.
