WORK/STUDY Program

More about "WHO"

You must accept or demonstrate the following to remain at Porter Farm

• Willingness to devote half of each work day to self-directed learning, using resources we provide (books, periodicals, computer, internet, extensive collection of audio and video lectures, etc) and those that you can find elsewhere in the community.
• Acceptance of this free-style learning approach which incorporates writing your own tests, self-grading, and sharing enthusiastically what you have learned in writing and verbally with fellow learners and others who might be invited to find out what you have learned.
• Earn minimum wages for help around the farm for approximately half of each work day, utilizing your existing and newly-learned skills to further the goals of the enterprise and operation of its facilities.
• Be a non-smoker for all the time you are associated with this program, and make no use of illegal substances (drugs, etc) for this period. Use of alcoholic beverages must be only occasional and limited to days when you are not working or studying. and never in excess.
• Have a high self-concept--you do not expect validation from others or compare yourself out of conceit to those around you in order to maintain your self-respect and perception of worth as an individual.
• Work hard with a constant regard for safety for yourself, others & the environment, following the applicable laws and regulations of the county, state and federal government.
• Respect the people you work and come in contact with, in regards to their well-being, motivations and opinions.
• Maintain and respect the property of others, and cooperate by returning items to the proper place and owner after use.
• Live happily and look for opportunities to insert a bit of fun and pleasure, for yourself and those around you, into every day.

More about "WHAT"

• We are not an accredited school. There are no traditional teachers, examinations or grades. You will receive no diploma, just a statement covering what you have learned and accomplished when you leave.
• We are not a church or or affiliated with any religious denomination, and your attendance at a church of your choice is up to you. We are not a social-welfare organization or government entity.
• We do not have school-type athletics, clubs or organized extra-curricular activities. This is a rural small-town environment with all that implies in regards to opportunities for your spare-time. The closest city with a shopping mall, movie theaters, etc is 50 miles west. However, if you enjoy being in and on the nearby forests, mountains, streams and lakes, you will find a lot to do here in the way of self-directed recreational activities.
• Your study and work will take place on and around a 120-acre tree farm located in eastern Skagit County of Washington State. Our silvacultural pursuits center on Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar, with some intermixed hardwoods and understory use for shorter term forest crops. Long-term goals are to exploit the natural resources of the farm (climate, soils, hydrology) to create a sustainable multi-faceted rural enterprise.
• Your general study time may be devoted to classical, historical & scientific subjects presented in recorded lecture format, and use of the internet for current research and readings, plus any books and materials you might wish to purchase as supplementary texts.  Here's a listing of concepts and terminology that you will become familiar with as you progress in your self-education.
• You will learn to operate, work with and maintain various equipment and vehicles as they are used in farm activities. The farm is equipped with a large variety of hand and power tools in several shops.
  -- Heavy equipment resources include: back hoe, front-end loader, road grader, ditch digger, 9" throat wood chipper, rock shaker/separator, small tractor, power generators, cement mixer, pressure washer and electric & gas welders
  --Vehicle resources include: two dump trucks, a maintenance truck and various trailers
• You will learn, as a result of living in a rural setting, to manage and maintain a country estate, including home care and repair, gardening, healthful food preparation, and personal maintenance.
• You will learn, by way of your participation, writing and verbal skills, as well as financial and management practices relative to business planning, development, marketing, compliance and record-keeping/filing. Additionally, you have the opportunity to learn about compounding and stock/bond market techniques from a retired stockbroker, the current executive officer of the farm.
• Several farm projects, in various stages of development, will serve as the focus for your learning/working activity, where your skills and problem-solving training will be brought to bear. These include planning, designing, organizing, building and operating the following interrelated operations--

  -- Forest Farming - thinning, planting, feeding and care of our 20,000-40,000 trees along with new under-story crops, shrub/berry food crops and nursery sidelines
  -- Aquaculture Facility - Rainbow trout rearing & processing, utilizing our two creeks and groundwater resources, with a goal of 500,000 to 1,000,000 fish per year.
  -- Extended Season Greenhouse - for herb & vegetable production
  -- Wood Products Facility - encompassing sawmill, drykiln, surfacing, storage and manufacturing equipment to take farm-raised trees, transforming them into a saleable product
  -- Natural Fertilizer Plant - worm castings production facility
  -- Commercial Rabbitry - tied-in with worm facility

   

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More about "WHERE"

Porter Farm is located near Marblemount, Washington. There's no real town here, just homes and residences spread out along Highway 20 in the forested river valley. There are a number of restaurants, two mini-marts with fuel pumps, a grocery store, post office, three churches and the like, with a good number of home-based businesses here and there. Like in all regions of the country, we have all types of people here--good guys, bad guys and those in between. You will be judged by the the folks you hang out with.

We are about 50 miles from Mt Vernon (the county seat to the west), 75 miles to Everett (going southwest) and Vancouver BC (going northwest), and 100 miles from Seattle (beyond Everett). Concrete WA, 18 miles west, has the closest medical doctor and pharmacy. Local paramedics transport to the nearest hospital 35 miles west at Sedro-Woolley.

The climate here is quite wet, with an annual precipitation of 50"-100" per year, most occurring in the cooler months. Any snowfall generally melts off quickly at this 300'-400' elevation. Porter Farm is at the base of mountains which reach 4000' to 6500', the taller of which have glaciers year-round. Summers can be very dry, bringing with them risk of forest fire. The National Park Service complex just south of the farm can house 200 to 1000 firefighters during an active fire period. When one spark can start a conflagration that can burn through 1000 acres and $50,000,000 worth of timber, you will understand our concerns about fire risk during the critical dry summer periods.

More about  "HOW"

There is no tuition or charge for the time you spend in educational pursuits, using the resources (tape libraries, periodicals, etc) that are provided to you free of charge.

Your half-time work week will be paid at Washington minimum wage (currently $6.90/hr), less withheld taxes. These funds will help cover your living expenses which include--

Lodging*, food**, vehicle/travel, utilities, telephone (cellphones do NOT work well here), clothing including weather & safety gear, insurance***, sports & recreation gear, medicines, computer, school supplies, damage****.

* - Your travel trailer may be located on the farm while you are in the work/study program.
** - Possibility (for one person) of room & board in exchange for household work (apply in person)
*** - You are covered by WA Industrial Insurance during work (not study) hours each day
**** - You are expected to compensate for any damage to farm property beyond wear-&-tear

If you are interested--

In a letter mailed to Porter Farm Work/Study Program, PO Box 809, Marblemount, WA  98267-0809
please furnish the following:

Full legal name
Current address
Current phone
Email address
Parent/next of kin name, address and phone
Social security number (photocopy required)
    If not a US citizen, then a photocopy of current green card may be substituted
Current driver's license with photograph (photocopy required)
If married and spouse will accompany you, identical info as above for spouse
Marital status for tax purposes
Number of personal tax exemptions
If under medical care, Doctor's name, address and phone
If you will be bringing sporting weapons, list them
Special needs (eg time off required, health conditions, dietary constraints, etc)
Other info about you we might like to know (eg hobbies, interests)
Character references (provide minimum of four)
Work/Study references (provide minimum of two)
A proposed annual expense budget showing ability to manage financially for the year
A short essay (2-3 paragraphs) on what you hope to accomplish with us

Send mail to diversys@hotmail.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2002 William C. Porter Farm Co., Inc.
Last modified: September 10, 2002

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