URBAVORE Urban FarM
Farmer(s): Brooke Salvaggio and Dan Heryer
Location: Kansas City, MO
Contact: brooke@urbavorefarm.com, dan@urbavorefarm.com or (913) 522-3458
Apprenticeship Opportunities: Paid and unpaid positions
Website, Facebook
Location: Kansas City, MO
Contact: brooke@urbavorefarm.com, dan@urbavorefarm.com or (913) 522-3458
Apprenticeship Opportunities: Paid and unpaid positions
Website, Facebook
Farm Overview
URBAVORE is a biologically diverse farmstead set on 13.5 acres in Kansas City's urban core. Farmers Brooke & Dan are committed to environmental integrity in all aspects of business & personal life. Energy efficient systems for food production, waste, water and shelter redefine sustainability to build community and ecology.
URBAVORE has delighted and satiated the palates of Kansas City’s food community for over a decade. Using a unique “no-till” growing method, the farm produces high-quality, nutrient-dense vegetables, fruits, eggs, and pork. Through minimal tillage, compost applications, cover cropping, deep mulch, and animal rotations, the farm builds biologically active soil. Food crops thrive in this living soil, and as a result, are never sprayed with pesticides or fungicides (including those approved for certified organic farms).
In addition to food production and land stewardship, URBAVORE owns and operates Compost Collective KC - Kansas City’s premiere residential compost service. Compost Collective services over 3000 households in the metro area, collecting food waste and bringing it to the farm where it is turned into finished compost that is applied to the fields. The farm takes in 12,000 pounds of food waste per week resulting in an unlimited supply of biologically rich humus.
History
Farmers Brooke & Dan are known for their tenacity, rebellion (yes...we’ve broken a few rules over the years!!), and unyielding commitment to sustainability. As urban pioneers and radical homesteaders, the couple fought the city to obtain 13.5 acres of raw land just five miles east of the Country Club Plaza in 2010. With no water, no housing, no fencing, and no electricity, this land posed a formidable challenge to its new stewards and set the stage for their life’s work: to build a family and farmstead that produces and creates more than it consumes. Today, after many years of blood & sweat (and quite a few tears), URBAVORE is an edible oasis unique to Kansas City.
To learn more about our farm, philosophy, and alternative infrastructure please visit www.urbavorefarm.com.
Volunteer Apprentice Overview
Volunteer apprentices will dedicate 12 to 15 hours a week of hard work & enthusiasm in exchange for in-field training & a weekly share of the harvest. Apprentices will gain exposure to holistic vegetable & fruit production, pastured poultry, pastured pigs, and urban sustainability. The volunteer style apprenticeship is designed to give urban locals a “taste” of organic farming without the full-on commitment. This position is perfect for those with other jobs and hobbies who have enough flexibility in their schedule to make farming a part of their weekly activities. To apply, e-mail brooke@urbavorefarm.com with a resume & cover letter. The season runs mid March through November. We accept applicants anytime, but prefer to hire prior to spring planting.
Full-time Apprentice Overview
For the 2023 season, URBAVORE is seeking a full-season commitment from two hardy individuals looking to gain valuable knowledge in “no-till” vegetable & fruit production on a biologically diverse urban farm. Full-time commitment of 40 hours per week is preferred but we will also consider part-time apprenticeships (20 to 25 hours per week) for the right person. Full-time workers receive a monthly stipend of $1000 in exchange for education, hands-on experience, and a weekly share of produce & eggs. A one-time gear stipend of $500 is given at the beginning of the season. This intense, hands-on apprenticeship is ideal for highly motivated, hard-working individuals who hope to manage their own
commercial farm one day. The day to day labor exposes the apprentices to the nitty gritty reality of ethical food production. Apprentices will work both independently and alongside the farmers to reap the earth's bounty and ride the many challenges along the way.
Educational Opportunities:
Farm Apprentices will receive experience and education in organic market gardening, "no-till" vegetable production, holistic orchard maintenance, berry production, integrated livestock management, rotational grazing, and direct marketing via CSA and farm distribution. In addition to working the crop fields, the apprentices will be exposed to the daily chores pertaining to pastured poultry and a rotating herd of 30 heritage hogs. Our farm puts a particular emphasis on soil building & the development of sustainable ecosystems. The apprentices will experience the layering of cover crops, animals, and organic matter to produce ideal conditions for crop production.
Skills Desired:
Farm skills and building skills are not required, although highly desirable. What we do require is a certain physicality and attitude that allows the apprentice to thrive while performing difficult & strenuous labor in intense weather conditions. Full disclosure: farming can be an act of masochism so a sense of humor is highly appreciated! We are particularly interested in applicants who exude passion & energy yet are grounded enough and mature enough to be reliable, focused, and committed. It is our hope that apprentices are highly fulfilled in their work and derive great satisfaction in interacting with each element that composes our farm's thriving ecosystem. While we don’t require any sort of formal athleticism, we stress that the work is very physical and is best suited for those who have done physical work in the past, or partake in physical hobbies of some sort. Overall, the apprenticeship is best suited for individuals who aspire to farm commercially one day using aspects of our unique regenerative system.
Housing:
There is no formal housing on the farm at this time. However, we do have opportunities for those who would like to park RV’s or tiny homes. We have a “rustic” 16 foot camper trailer that is up for grabs for someone who is hardy & handy! If given some love, it could be quite livable.
Stipend:
Full-time apprentices receive a monthly stipend of $1000 plus a one-time gear stipend of $500. During the harvest season apprentices are given weekly veggies and eggs and generally have access to unlimited “seconds” and left-overs.
Meals:
Meals are not provided. Interns bring their own lunch and snacks.
Internship Starts: March 13, 2023
Internship Ends: November 21, 2023
App Deadline: Open until filled (the sooner the better!)
Minimum Length of Stay: Full season commitment. *There is a bit of flexibility on the latter end for the right person.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please send a resume and cover letter to brooke@urbavorefarm.com. Please be personable in your cover letter and tell me WHY you want to bust your butt at URBAVORE! I will follow-up with qualified applicants via email and schedule an interview in late January or early February. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to shoot me an email!
URBAVORE is a biologically diverse farmstead set on 13.5 acres in Kansas City's urban core. Farmers Brooke & Dan are committed to environmental integrity in all aspects of business & personal life. Energy efficient systems for food production, waste, water and shelter redefine sustainability to build community and ecology.
URBAVORE has delighted and satiated the palates of Kansas City’s food community for over a decade. Using a unique “no-till” growing method, the farm produces high-quality, nutrient-dense vegetables, fruits, eggs, and pork. Through minimal tillage, compost applications, cover cropping, deep mulch, and animal rotations, the farm builds biologically active soil. Food crops thrive in this living soil, and as a result, are never sprayed with pesticides or fungicides (including those approved for certified organic farms).
In addition to food production and land stewardship, URBAVORE owns and operates Compost Collective KC - Kansas City’s premiere residential compost service. Compost Collective services over 3000 households in the metro area, collecting food waste and bringing it to the farm where it is turned into finished compost that is applied to the fields. The farm takes in 12,000 pounds of food waste per week resulting in an unlimited supply of biologically rich humus.
History
Farmers Brooke & Dan are known for their tenacity, rebellion (yes...we’ve broken a few rules over the years!!), and unyielding commitment to sustainability. As urban pioneers and radical homesteaders, the couple fought the city to obtain 13.5 acres of raw land just five miles east of the Country Club Plaza in 2010. With no water, no housing, no fencing, and no electricity, this land posed a formidable challenge to its new stewards and set the stage for their life’s work: to build a family and farmstead that produces and creates more than it consumes. Today, after many years of blood & sweat (and quite a few tears), URBAVORE is an edible oasis unique to Kansas City.
To learn more about our farm, philosophy, and alternative infrastructure please visit www.urbavorefarm.com.
Volunteer Apprentice Overview
Volunteer apprentices will dedicate 12 to 15 hours a week of hard work & enthusiasm in exchange for in-field training & a weekly share of the harvest. Apprentices will gain exposure to holistic vegetable & fruit production, pastured poultry, pastured pigs, and urban sustainability. The volunteer style apprenticeship is designed to give urban locals a “taste” of organic farming without the full-on commitment. This position is perfect for those with other jobs and hobbies who have enough flexibility in their schedule to make farming a part of their weekly activities. To apply, e-mail brooke@urbavorefarm.com with a resume & cover letter. The season runs mid March through November. We accept applicants anytime, but prefer to hire prior to spring planting.
Full-time Apprentice Overview
For the 2023 season, URBAVORE is seeking a full-season commitment from two hardy individuals looking to gain valuable knowledge in “no-till” vegetable & fruit production on a biologically diverse urban farm. Full-time commitment of 40 hours per week is preferred but we will also consider part-time apprenticeships (20 to 25 hours per week) for the right person. Full-time workers receive a monthly stipend of $1000 in exchange for education, hands-on experience, and a weekly share of produce & eggs. A one-time gear stipend of $500 is given at the beginning of the season. This intense, hands-on apprenticeship is ideal for highly motivated, hard-working individuals who hope to manage their own
commercial farm one day. The day to day labor exposes the apprentices to the nitty gritty reality of ethical food production. Apprentices will work both independently and alongside the farmers to reap the earth's bounty and ride the many challenges along the way.
Educational Opportunities:
Farm Apprentices will receive experience and education in organic market gardening, "no-till" vegetable production, holistic orchard maintenance, berry production, integrated livestock management, rotational grazing, and direct marketing via CSA and farm distribution. In addition to working the crop fields, the apprentices will be exposed to the daily chores pertaining to pastured poultry and a rotating herd of 30 heritage hogs. Our farm puts a particular emphasis on soil building & the development of sustainable ecosystems. The apprentices will experience the layering of cover crops, animals, and organic matter to produce ideal conditions for crop production.
Skills Desired:
Farm skills and building skills are not required, although highly desirable. What we do require is a certain physicality and attitude that allows the apprentice to thrive while performing difficult & strenuous labor in intense weather conditions. Full disclosure: farming can be an act of masochism so a sense of humor is highly appreciated! We are particularly interested in applicants who exude passion & energy yet are grounded enough and mature enough to be reliable, focused, and committed. It is our hope that apprentices are highly fulfilled in their work and derive great satisfaction in interacting with each element that composes our farm's thriving ecosystem. While we don’t require any sort of formal athleticism, we stress that the work is very physical and is best suited for those who have done physical work in the past, or partake in physical hobbies of some sort. Overall, the apprenticeship is best suited for individuals who aspire to farm commercially one day using aspects of our unique regenerative system.
Housing:
There is no formal housing on the farm at this time. However, we do have opportunities for those who would like to park RV’s or tiny homes. We have a “rustic” 16 foot camper trailer that is up for grabs for someone who is hardy & handy! If given some love, it could be quite livable.
Stipend:
Full-time apprentices receive a monthly stipend of $1000 plus a one-time gear stipend of $500. During the harvest season apprentices are given weekly veggies and eggs and generally have access to unlimited “seconds” and left-overs.
Meals:
Meals are not provided. Interns bring their own lunch and snacks.
Internship Starts: March 13, 2023
Internship Ends: November 21, 2023
App Deadline: Open until filled (the sooner the better!)
Minimum Length of Stay: Full season commitment. *There is a bit of flexibility on the latter end for the right person.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please send a resume and cover letter to brooke@urbavorefarm.com. Please be personable in your cover letter and tell me WHY you want to bust your butt at URBAVORE! I will follow-up with qualified applicants via email and schedule an interview in late January or early February. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to shoot me an email!
Photo Credits: KC Food Circle, Facebook, Brooke Salvaggio
