Permaculture Incubator Program Trainee

About the Job

Climate Change Permaculture Project

Clare

Clare

Based on program sales

Local Food Support System

Full Time

Job Description

Trainee Benefits and Expenses
Residential housing is located on Stevenson Lake near Clare, Michigan. Housing will be made available rent-free. Each participant will pay $150 per month to cover house expenses, e.g. utilities.
Trainees will receive classroom instruction by world-renown experts leading to Permaculture Design Certificate (PDC) by the end of the program. There is no out-of-pocket cost for this certification.
The trainees will be allocated one-half acre plots where they can put their classroom instruction into practice. They will sell their produce through Community Supported Agriculture and at Farmers Markets.
Funding has been received from NRCS to construct a 30’ x 72’ high tunnel to ensure an extended growing season.
Trainees will contribute 10% of their gross sales through the year to CCPP to help cover administrative costs.

About the Employer

CCPP’s stated purpose is “to help create a critical mass of farmers who will adopt regenerative farming practices, embodied in the principles of permaculture, to begin to reverse the effects of climate change and, at the same time, help to address food insecurity.” Programming is centered on its Permaculture Incubator Program (PIP)--like a small business incubator, only for regenerative agriculture. CCPP’s target is the underserved beginning farmer population, particularly women and people of color, who may lack the resources to make a start in the agricultural sector. A complete description of the program can be found at:
https://www.climatechangepermacultureproject.org/pip/

How To Apply

Eligibility
Criteria that applicants must meet to be considered for participation in the Permaculture Incubator Program include:
1.
demonstration that they meet the conditions for being considered to be historically underserved, namely: beginning farmers, limited resource farmers, and socially disadvantaged farmers (i.e., women and people of color);
2.
agreement to participation in research and evaluation protocols of the program;
3.
and a 12-month commitment to the program.
Application Process
In order to apply to the program, potential applicants must submit the following material:
1.
Letter of motivation (1 page)
2.
Resume that includes applicable experience
3.
Two non-family letters of reference
Application materials should be submitted to info@climatechangepermacultureproject.org by COB on January 15, 2025.
Selection Process
Application materials will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of CCPP board and administrators. A phone or video interview will be conducted of the short-list of candidates. Applicants will be notified by January 31, 2025. The program will begin March 1, 2025. Please send inquiries to Karen Russon (Karen@climatechangepermacultureproject.org).
The house is currently listed on Airbnb until programming begins in 2025. You can check it out here:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/799729898184872920?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=4f261f65-bfa4-487d-ad7f-4c361f589d41