Summer 2024 Resident Steward Application—Duck Berry Farm, Paonia CO

A pilot program of Duck Berry Farm and Saint Francis Challenge

Thank you for your interest in the Summer 2024 Resident Steward opportunity at Duck Berry Farm in Paonia, Colorado!

This is an amazing opportunity for a values-driven person to learn firsthand about orchard management, fruit production, commercial berry operation, and regenerative agriculture in the unique town of Paonia—settled by farmers, ranchers and miners, now home to artists and outdoor lovers as well. This is ideal for someone transitioning to the valley and wanting to get into farming.

This pilot program is currently scheduled to take place for a duration of 2 months—May 1st to June 30th is ideal, although a specific start date is negotiable up to mid-May.

The residency provides lodging and amenities in a hemp-insulated off-grid cabin at a nearby farm site, a monthly stipend of $1,000, and hands-on training in exchange for a required 20 hours per week of resident stewardship on a working farm and non-profit farm site (early mornings required, generally 7-11AM four days per week, with the option to work at the farmers' market one day per week). Other potential opportunities to make money to be determined with the right person in interview process.

Saint Francis Challenge is providing administrative support for the selection, on-boarding, and co-living for this pilot project in partnership with Duck Berry Farm.

Please fill out the application below, and contact info@saintfrancischallenge.org with any questions. Application deadline is by 11:59 PM PST Wednesday April 24, 2024.

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* 1. PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS

I understand and agree to the following in the event that I am selected to participate in the Duck Berry Farm and Saint Francis Challenge resident steward program (Check each section)

I will contribute 20 hours per week of resident stewardship to Duck Berry Farms, schedule determined by site owner. Early mornings are required (e.g. 7AM-noon 4 days a week).

I will follow agreements about quiet hours (determined by site owner), guest policy (guests only allowed with direct permission from site owner), upkeep of hemp cabin and amenities, and site access limitations (usage of on-site amenities determined by site owner).

I will live in a hemp-insulated cabin in an off-grid living experience at a farm site located nearby to Duck Berry Farms that includes solar power, water, heat/AC, small refrigerator, gas cooking stove, and a bed platform, as well as access to shower/toilet/washer/drying line facilities on-site.

I will receive a monthly taxable resident steward stipend of $1000 (taxed) or depending upon my preference, some combination of taxed income and a non-taxed payment towards essential needs (i.e. food/clothing/transportation/housing/medical/education expenses reimbursed)

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* 2. IDENTITY INFORMATION

Last name

First name

Nickname (optional)

Date of Brith

Driver's License/ID: State/Number

Driver's License/ID: Expiration date

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* 3. CONTACT INFORMATION

Mailing Address (include street, city, state, and zip code)

Home Address (if different, including street, city, state, and zip code)

Phone Number

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* 4. Do you have a working vehicle? (Due to the remote location of the lodging site, we highly recommend having access to your own vehicle as you will not have access to other transportation)

Yes

Additional information

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* 5. CURRENT EMPLOYER/SCHOOL

School/Business Name

School/Business Address

Position/Field of Study

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* 6. Level of education completed

High School

GED

AA/AS

BA/BS

Graduate School

Field of Study (if applicable)

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* 7. INTEREST, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS

100 word limit—succinct answers appreciated! If you have additional information to share, please include at the end of the application, or e-mail info@saintfrancischallenge.org

How did you hear about the Duck Berry Farm Resident Steward Program?

How do you think this program will benefit you (and the greater good) in your future?

Describe your interest and/or experience in working in agriculture (including fruit production and Regen Ag techniques)?

Are there any health or ability challenges that limit your ability to perform manual labor (including bending and lifting)?

Describe your interest and/or experience in living off-grid and/or in remote agriculture settings (e.g. What experience have you had that will help to prepare you for being in a somewhat isolated living experience?)

Do you have any special skills or abilities that could be of service to Duck Berry Farms in addition to agricultural support?

How do you incorporate sustainability into your life? What aspects of sustainability are you looking to learn more about or integrate into your life?

Please describe other important details about yourself (goals, aspirations, hobbies, personal activities, medical information, ideological views, etc.).

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* 8. Self-assessment of resident steward activities at Duck Berry Farms: Please choose the response that best captures your current level of knowledge and experience.

Note: Current knowledge and/or experience is not required, and honest self-assessment and willingness to learn is appreciated, and feel free to clarify/expand on answers in comment box.

	No current knowledge/experience	Some knowledge/No experience	Some experience/More training needed	Highly skilled/experienced
Growing crops	Growing crops No current knowledge/experience	Growing crops Some knowledge/No experience	Growing crops Some experience/More training needed	Growing crops Highly skilled/experienced
Organic agriculture	Organic agriculture No current knowledge/experience	Organic agriculture Some knowledge/No experience	Organic agriculture Some experience/More training needed	Organic agriculture Highly skilled/experienced
Regenerative Agriculture	Regenerative Agriculture No current knowledge/experience	Regenerative Agriculture Some knowledge/No experience	Regenerative Agriculture Some experience/More training needed	Regenerative Agriculture Highly skilled/experienced
Fruit Production	Fruit Production No current knowledge/experience	Fruit Production Some knowledge/No experience	Fruit Production Some experience/More training needed	Fruit Production Highly skilled/experienced
Composting	Composting No current knowledge/experience	Composting Some knowledge/No experience	Composting Some experience/More training needed	Composting Highly skilled/experienced
Soil health techniques	Soil health techniques No current knowledge/experience	Soil health techniques Some knowledge/No experience	Soil health techniques Some experience/More training needed	Soil health techniques Highly skilled/experienced
Flood irrigation/micro-sprinklers	Flood irrigation/micro-sprinklers No current knowledge/experience	Flood irrigation/micro-sprinklers Some knowledge/No experience	Flood irrigation/micro-sprinklers Some experience/More training needed	Flood irrigation/micro-sprinklers Highly skilled/experienced
Small power/hand tools	Small power/hand tools No current knowledge/experience	Small power/hand tools Some knowledge/No experience	Small power/hand tools Some experience/More training needed	Small power/hand tools Highly skilled/experienced
Basic construction and repair	Basic construction and repair No current knowledge/experience	Basic construction and repair Some knowledge/No experience	Basic construction and repair Some experience/More training needed	Basic construction and repair Highly skilled/experienced
Site planning/mapping	Site planning/mapping No current knowledge/experience	Site planning/mapping Some knowledge/No experience	Site planning/mapping Some experience/More training needed	Site planning/mapping Highly skilled/experienced
Note-taking for records	Note-taking for records No current knowledge/experience	Note-taking for records Some knowledge/No experience	Note-taking for records Some experience/More training needed	Note-taking for records Highly skilled/experienced

Other (please specify)

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The hemp-insulated "Dragon Wagon" was built via a collaboration between Duck Berry Farm and Saint Francis Challenge in 2021, and will provide off-grid lodging for resident steward programming on a nearby farm site with toilet/shower/laundry/cooking amenities.

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* 9. I agree to practice the following Resident Steward Values in support of personal conduct, co-living, and the greater good:

1. You belong
2. Your needs matter
3. Be a team player
4. Consider your impact
5. Stand up for truth, justice, safety, and well-being for everyone—including yourself.
6. There's no shame in our game—shine a light with grace
7. Do no harm, compost shit
8. Know, grow, and flow: Learn how to nurture a thriving body, mind, humanity, and planet
9. Be a solutionary: Seek win-win solutions
10. Follow shared agreements—honor the spirit of the law

Yes

Other (please specify)

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* 10. CURRENT MEDICAL INSURANCE POLICY

I have a medical insurance policy that will be current throughout the time frame of the 2024 Resident Steward Program.

Other (please specify)

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* 11. RELEASE AND WAIVER (Put a check mark next to ever section to acknowledge and agree to the following release of liability if you are accepted into the Resident Steward program):

Assumption of the Risk: The Participant understands that Resident Steward activities include work that may be hazardous to the Participant, including, but not limited to agricultural work, construction, loading and unloading, and working with/near farm animals. Participant hereby expressly and specifically assumes the risk of injury or harm in the Activities and releases Duck Berry Farms, Site Owner, and Saint Francis Challenge from all liability for injury, illness, death, or property damage resulting from the Activities

Insurance: The Participant understands that, except as otherwise agreed to by Duck Berry Farm and Saint Francis Challenge in writing, Duck Berry Farm and Saint Francis Challenge do not carry or maintain health, medical, or disability insurance for any Participant. Each Participant is expected and encouraged to obtain his or her own medical or health insurance coverage.

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* 12. Do you agree not to smoke tobacco and/or cannabis in the hemp casita or on site (although a designated smoking area can be negotiated)

Yes

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* 13. Do you agree not to drink alcohol or use illegal drugs on site, or to be on site while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs?

Yes

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* 14. EMERGENCY CONTACT

First and last name

Type of Relationship

Phone number

City and State

Email address

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* 15. REFERENCE #1: Please provide a former or current Work/Volunteer/School reference, preferably manual labor or agriculture related (Note: We will not contact references until after you have been selected as a preliminary candidate)

First and Last Name

Type of Relationship

Phone number

Email address

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* 16. REFERENCE #2: Please provide a former or current landlord or housemate reference (Note: We will not contact references until after you have been selected as a preliminary candidate)

First and Last Name

Type of Relationship

Phone number

Email address

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* 17. Use this area to ask questions or tell us anything else about yourself you think we should know that would demonstrate why you would be a great fit for this opportunity? Thanks again for applying!

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* 18. By typing my name in the field below, I acknowledge that all of the information in my application is true and correct.

Printed name

Date

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100% of survey complete.

Summer 2024 Resident Steward Application—Duck Berry Farm, Paonia CO

A pilot program of Duck Berry Farm and Saint Francis Challenge

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* 1. PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS I understand and agree to the following in the event that I am selected to participate in the Duck Berry Farm and Saint Francis Challenge resident steward program (Check each section)

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* 2. IDENTITY INFORMATION

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* 3. CONTACT INFORMATION

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* 4. Do you have a working vehicle? (Due to the remote location of the lodging site, we highly recommend having access to your own vehicle as you will not have access to other transportation)

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* 5. CURRENT EMPLOYER/SCHOOL

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* 6. Level of education completed

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* 7. INTEREST, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS 100 word limit—succinct answers appreciated! If you have additional information to share, please include at the end of the application, or e-mail info@saintfrancischallenge.org

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The hemp-insulated "Dragon Wagon" was built via a collaboration between Duck Berry Farm and Saint Francis Challenge in 2021, and will provide off-grid lodging for resident steward programming on a nearby farm site with toilet/shower/laundry/cooking amenities.

Question Title

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* 10. CURRENT MEDICAL INSURANCE POLICY

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* 11. RELEASE AND WAIVER (Put a check mark next to ever section to acknowledge and agree to the following release of liability if you are accepted into the Resident Steward program):

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* 12. Do you agree not to smoke tobacco and/or cannabis in the hemp casita or on site (although a designated smoking area can be negotiated)

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* 13. Do you agree not to drink alcohol or use illegal drugs on site, or to be on site while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs?

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* 14. EMERGENCY CONTACT

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* 15. REFERENCE #1: Please provide a former or current Work/Volunteer/School reference, preferably manual labor or agriculture related (Note: We will not contact references until after you have been selected as a preliminary candidate)

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* 16. REFERENCE #2: Please provide a former or current landlord or housemate reference (Note: We will not contact references until after you have been selected as a preliminary candidate)

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* 17. Use this area to ask questions or tell us anything else about yourself you think we should know that would demonstrate why you would be a great fit for this opportunity? Thanks again for applying!

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* 18. By typing my name in the field below, I acknowledge that all of the information in my application is true and correct.

Question Title

* 1. PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS

I understand and agree to the following in the event that I am selected to participate in the Duck Berry Farm and Saint Francis Challenge resident steward program (Check each section)

* 7. INTEREST, EXPERIENCE, AND SKILLS

100 word limit—succinct answers appreciated! If you have additional information to share, please include at the end of the application, or e-mail info@saintfrancischallenge.org