A very diverse, small, permaculture, farm in New England in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts
Massachusetts
We Are Taking Applications Now (submit an email application--"TO APPLY" below)
This farm is for people interested in real farm life; seeing and practicing permaculture, homestead and farm skills; learning about regenerative agriculture; and participating on an exceptionally diverse working farm! As a long-established eco-agriculture farm where permaculture and regenerative agriculture have been established practices for decades, this is the place to see those concepts in practice and to appreciate real, natural, small scale food production. These ideals are predicated on the constant study of deep, comprehensive relationships with our ecosystems--from internal, to community (in all its permutations), to global.
This is an exciting time of year to be on the farm! We've hosted WWOOFers and interns for a long time and people love the wide range of tasks we're involved in, the hard work and how much they learn, (not to mention eating a fantastic diet of wholesome and deliciously prepared meals!).
Our farm is about challenge, learning and change--that takes commitment! Candidates must be organized and thorough.
I know this is a lot of info, but please read through to the end.
We are NOW taking applications from WWOOFers for short- or longer-term stays.
If you are...
A.) Looking for an internship NOW!-- Spring/Summer months...or...
B.) Interested in a full-year apprenticeship (April '26--Feb. '27)--application period is NOW!)...or...
C.) Interested in a shorter stay, (please read full listing for specifics)...or...
D.) Live nearby and want to come from home as LOCAL DAY-WWOOFer...
WWOOFers stay at the farm, so we must have an email application to consider requests.
1.) Send a WWOOF request (on this site), then
2.) See "TO APPLY" below. Use the checklist to send items 1 through 5 below!
EMAIL YOUR APPLICATION DIRECTLY TO US!
SCROLL DOWN for info to APPLY by email.
Application info is also on our website, Moon In The Pond Farm (under the 'Education' drop-down) as well as TONS of info on what we do. Also check out our Facebook and Instagram feeds for insight into the farm.
We strongly encourage BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ and members of communities underrepresented in organic farming to apply.
WWOOFers are a vital force on the farm. We look for passionate people who want to learn a lot and grow, and of course, work hard.
We have opportunities for seasonal internships on a rolling start-date basis. We are especially looking for WWOOFers who want to stay for a while (2-3 months) so that they can get settled with the routine; who want to make a commitment, and are ready to take on a challenge right now. One of the best compliments we ever had from a WWOOFer was, "I like this farm because you're not messin' around!" Another was, "I learned a lot about small-scale farming, permaculture and food, but what I learned most was to be a better person." WWOOFing here at Moon In The Pond Farm will give you a new perspective!
We have lots of exciting, different things going on all the time. Expect to muck, mulch, mow, herd, hay, harvest, hoe, water, weed, seed, feed, fence, forage, weed, plant, transplant, tidy, clean, scrub, pick, stake, rake, wash, weed, build, record, sweep, swear, study, organize, observe, report, clean, cry, compost, cook, swear, laugh, laugh and laugh. We are always working on special projects! It's our philosophy that all projects are special. You'll be challenged--for sure. Unlike most modern, post-industrial life-'styles', life on this small farm dovetails work, amusement, personal time, education, creativity, exercise, working in nature and more on a daily basis. It's a fully integrated life. Hours and days vary necessarily. We work hard at a steady pace, outdoors, in the sun/rain, cold/heat, beautiful Berkshire weather.
Be prepared for the very physical, outdoor labor that farm life includes--willing to participate in whatever chore the farm day presents.
WWOOFers may participate ‘full-time’ for a week or two (preferably more). Length of your stay is negotiated according to the time you have to offer (subject to space available on the farm).
TO APPLY
For all positions. in the email subject line, put the position you're applying for (Internship, Apprenticeship, or Short Term) and proposed dates.
We consider applicants who have a full WWOOF profile.
Email the following 5 items:
1.) Letter of intent—Give me your story and why you think this would be a good situation for you. Be specific.
2.) Resume—be sure to include: a) all basic personal information (include date of birth, address, phone and your cell phone); b) education; c) work history—include dates (month and year), position, and responsibilities held, supervisors’ names, email and phone numbers.
3.) References–2 work, 2 personal. Include relationships and current emails and phone numbers.
4.) Proposed dates-- for a) phone/personal interview b) work-trial-visit c) internship start and end dates.
5.) Recent photo.
Send email to: dom at mooninthepond.org Subject: Internship Application
Follow up! Persistence works!
This is a real, working farm. It's a great place to come if you love to jump into working like you live here. Farm life is taking care of the animals, growing food (and all that leads up to and follows that), running, keeping order and caring for the farm, the house and home, and ourselves. It's early to bed ("10 p.m.--Farmer Bedtime!"), and early to rise, and productive fun in between. It's not about watching, it's about doing. It's not a 'job'--it's farm life! If you can see yourself harvesting peas before the sun hits them, hoeing potatoes in the sun, weeding beans all afternoon then enjoying a beer and exchanging stories while shucking corn, chopping veg and prepping dinner you'll learn a lot and love your experience here! (In the winter months we're tending to our animals (watering and providing hay), and doing many "value-added" projects: curing meat, packaging herbs, bottling hot sauce, etc. we're also splitting wood, clearing snow, burning brush and researching. Plus we have indoor farmers' markets all through the winter--we're BUSY!! Most people are amazed at how many different things we/they do and how much they learn in a short time (see description of work and application procedure on our webpage). We go to bed exhausted, happy and feeling like we accomplished a lot in a day.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS: WWOOFers stay in either of two rooms in the farmhouse (see photos) or tent out (summer) depending on some of the following: the length of their stay, interns already here (availability of rooms), time of year (weather), their own choice (some people prefer to tent). Meals (three per day) are prepared and eaten together in the farmhouse with all farm participants . Meals are mostly plants, some meat, home-cooked, organic, mostly local and/or from this farm. (little/no processed, pre-prepared, take-out, non-organic foods)
**from above:
There are ‘farms’ that are happy to host casual visitors--feed them, give them a room, launder their bedding, prepare their room, cook their meals, ferry them around and are ok with them doing ‘their own thing’ many hours a day—sorta like Farm "Couch-Surfing". But we are very busy working and being productive—so we're not that farm.
WWOOF is legally restricted from describing itself as a 'work-for-stay' (like by the old name, Willing Workers On Organic Farms)--IT'S NOT A WORK-FOR-STAY. At our farm we want to encourage the connection of people who WANT to experience the jam-packed, real life of farm love (work) that we have and want to share. If there were WWOOF categories like “Jam-packed” and “Leisure” , ours would be "Jam-packed"!
On our farm, quantifying 'work' vs. 'leisure' hours is challenging and defies definition. When you live, eat, work, sleep, all in the same place, compartmentalizing is hardly possible. For example, one day in August we harvested and husked 5 dozen (60) ears of corn for home use, then roasted them on the grill and cut the corn off the cobs. We made salsa with some; some went for corn soup, some went into stuffed peppers. We froze a lot for future use (maybe in a couple of days, a month or in winter). That task took 3-4 hours. For us, it was lots of fun. Were those hours “work”, meal preparation, or leisure time? For a WWOOFer that wants to visit a farm, eat farm food and spend half a day in town or reading a novel--corn prep might be considered drudgery and too much work. For people who love food; want to experience how to make that happen; learn what that’s all about, it's a blast! If you're in that category--Let us know ASAP!!
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Poultry farming
Pig farming
Cattle farming
Sheep or goat farming
Wild foraging
Seed saving or production
Meat processing
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Food justice / sovereignty
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Holistic management
No-till farming
Permaculture
Regenerative agriculture
Mentoring opportunities
LGBTQ+-operated
Host type
Production farm
14.2
Hectares
|
35
Acres
Dominic
Member since 2014
Languages spoken:
English, French, Italian, Spanish
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 67%
Response time: typically within 6 days
Massachusetts
Closest bus stop is in Great Barrington, MA. The nearest airport is Bradley Int. in Hartford, CT. There is a train from NYC that arrives in Wassaic NY. (There is NO public transport from any of these to the farm--I will pick you up.
Reviews
Emmanuel
United States
•
April 2026
When I signed up to spend a week on an organic farm, I did not know exactly what to expect. I was looking for a new experience and a way to help someone committed to raising animals and growing vegetables in a respectful, sustainable way. Dominic was the first to respond to my request, and after visiting his website, I was glad to discover his passion for teaching, which reassured me since I had no farming experience at all.
Coming from NYC, the trip was not short but very easy by train from Grand Central. Dominic welcomed me at the station, and after just 30 minutes of conversation, I knew the week would be full of great stories, learning, meaningful exchanges. His enthusiasm made me feel comfortable right away.
Throughout the week, I helped clean the fields, feed pigs and chickens, collect eggs, prepare eggs for the incubator, add leaves to the chicken coop, mulch plants, bring water to the cows, repair fences, check spice and herb packets, prepare the truck for the Saturday market, set up the stalls, and more! Each task helped me understand how much care and attention farming requires.
I also ate extremely well. Dominic is an excellent cook, and sharing meals became an important part of the experience. Overall, this was a truly enriching week. Thank you to Dominic for his hospitality, patience, generosity. I will certainly come back!
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Reply from Dominic
You are too kind! Thank you. My pleasure!
Mateu
United States
•
December 2022
Dominic is a nice person, you will work, have fun and learn a lot.
My experience was really positive, I was there to practice my english and it was really helpful and I also learn a lot about farming, he was very patient with me and I really appreciate that.
It was my first WWOOF experience and I hope to repeat it .
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Wilson
United States
•
February 2022
Dom is an experienced and knowledgeable. But more than that, I rarely see people who give as much attention and care to what they do and think. Dom is incredibly engaged with the world around him and that energy makes him a good teacher. If you come with an open and eager mind, it is hard to not learn something.
Daniel
United States
•
February 2022
This was my first ever farming experience, and I couldn't have found a better place. Dom is a considerate host and excellent teacher. He highly values education, and takes every opportunity to teach and offer his wisdom from 30+ years experience. Just be prepared to work hard.
Melissa
United States
•
April 2020
Moon in the Pond farm is a lovely place. Dom was a great host and was willing to spend the time to educate me about farming and his practices. He's dedicated to his craft and pursue's it with creativity, enthusiasm, skill and hard work.
