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

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.

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)(Required.)

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)

2.IDENTITY INFORMATION(Required.)

Last name

First name

Nickname (optional)

Date of Brith

Driver's License/ID: State/Number

Driver's License/ID: Expiration date

3.CONTACT INFORMATION(Required.)

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

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

Phone Number

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)(Required.)

Yes

Additional information

5.CURRENT EMPLOYER/SCHOOL(Required.)

School/Business Name

School/Business Address

Position/Field of Study

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(Required.)

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.).

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.

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(Required.)

Yes

Other (please specify)

10.CURRENT MEDICAL INSURANCE POLICY(Required.)

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

Other (please specify)

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):(Required.)

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.

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)(Required.)

Yes

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?(Required.)

Yes

14.EMERGENCY CONTACT(Required.)

First and last name

Type of Relationship

Phone number

City and State

Email address

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)(Required.)

First and Last Name

Type of Relationship

Phone number

Email address

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)(Required.)

First and Last Name

Type of Relationship

Phone number

Email address

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!

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

Printed name

Date

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