Bethlehem Farm
Goal of Program
Bethlehem Farm is a Catholic community in Appalachia that transforms lives through service with the local community and the teaching of sustainable practices. We invite volunteers to join us in living the Gospel cornerstones of service, prayer, simplicity, and community.
Type of Placement
Accounting | Business & Administration | Agriculture, Agronomy & Animal Husbandry | Arts & Music | Building Trades & Construction | Communications & Public Relations | Community Organizing, Outreach & Development | Computer Programming & Data Entry | Cook, Housekeeping & Domestic Services | Education | Elderly Outreach | Environmental | Fund Raising, Grant Writing & Development | Gardening & Groundskeeping | Housing Issues, Shelter Staff & Group Home | Maintenance, Mechanic & Repair | Religious Education & Retreat Work | Social Services & Poverty Relief | Volunteer Coordinator | Youth Ministry | Engineering | Nonviolence and Conflict Resolution | Racial Justice Work
Service Area
Summers County, West Virginia and surrounding counties. Appalachia.
Service Length
Caretakers: 1 yr (renewable, some have stayed as long as 18 years and counting). Summer Servants: 2 wks-3 mos Service-Week Participant: Week-long volunteer experiences for teens and adults.
Requirements
Caretakers: desire to live in community, service, simplicity, prayer; ability to learn construction, admin skills; 1 year community-living experience preferred, not required; at least 21 years of age.
Financial Arrangements
Room and Board | Stipend | Medical Insurance | Transportation | Loan Deferment/Forbearance
Living Arrangements
Caretakers: live in community with 6-12 people, including single people, married couples and children. Have individual bedrooms in the Caretaker Residence sharing a common kitchen, living room, and bathrooms. Live next to the log home retreat facility that houses short-term week-long volunteers and retreat program. Summer Servants: live in community with Caretakers in the Caretaker Residence. Share a bunk room with up to 5 other Summer Servants/Fellows. Service-Week Participants: Participants live in community with other volunteers in double and quad bunk rooms in the log home retreat facility.
Training
Caretakers: Orientation on Appalachian culture, Catholic Social Teaching, farming, and construction skills provided throughout service. All staff are trained in CPR and First Aid. Opportunities for staff development and retreat are provided. Summer Servants & Service Week Participants: Orientation, safety training and construction skills provided on-site by Caretakers for all volunteers.
Application Deadline
Caretakers: apps accepted on a rolling basis. Expect the process to take a few months.
Address
P.O. Box 415
Talcott WV, 24981
Phone: 304 445-7143
Website
http://www.bethlehemfarm.net
Primary Contact
Joseph
Affiliations
Catholic
Secondary Contacts