Porcupine Creek Farm
For the past five years, we at Porcupine Creek Farm have been growing certified organic herbs for use in our herbal teas, culinary blends, and herbal body products. We have decided, however, to scale back this year and discontinue the production of our herbal teas and culinary blends, and just concentrate on our body products. However, we are considering maintaining our organic certification for the farming of the herbs required for the body products. This will require a very small portion of the 3.5 acres that are certified organic. As such, we do not have enough work to occupy an intern fulltime. However, if somebody is willing to work on their own and farm the certified organic land to grow their own produce (to sell, to eat, to process), we would be willing to mentor that person in the requirements of certified organic growing and ensure that all requirements are being met.
We have a 100 acre farm. The remaining acreage is regenerating pasture land that we use for walking, running and cross-country skiing. We grow produce for our own use and have some chickens and goats, as well as an unheated greenhouse which could be used by the person in question. We are members of the Quinte Organic Farmers’ Co-op and By the Bushel, both of which could be a source of sales to the potential farmer.
We have renovated a portion of the cheese factory that is on our farm, which is where the person in question would stay. It is a cosy space with electricity, a bar fridge, a woodstove, and a composting toilet, as well as a galley-type arrangement (four propane-fired burners, a water reservoir and sink for dishes, etc.) This would be available for a negotiable monthly rental fee.
While the amount of mentorship we can provide will be a minimum and might not meet the intern requirements for your program, it might be of interest to someone willing to try farming on for size for a season. If you  have more questions, please send an email to address below and check out our website.
Karen Caruana
E-mail: karen at porcupinecreekfarm dot ca
Website: www.porcupinecreekfarm.ca
