1. Where will Mahaz Fellows be working?
Primary sites are Farfields Farm and Hegyion Orchard Farm (25 minutes apart). Fellows may work more at one site as the season progresses.

2. Where will Mahaz fellows live?
Gender-separated housing 10–30 minutes from work sites. Alternative arrangements available for couples or those with specific needs. Laundry facilities and a fully equipped kosher kitchen. Fellows maintain their own spaces.

3. What does our daily/weekly schedule look like?
Monday–Thursday: 7am–5pm; Friday: 7am–3pm. Expect schedule variations for weather or special projects. Some tasks require earlier starts or later finishes. Summer mornings are preferable to midday heat.

Fellows rotate cooking and cleaning responsibilities with housemates.

4. I have part-time work or I'm in online school so can I do this program part time?
No. Full participation required. Evening and weekend time can accommodate other commitments, but fellows must manage conflicts independently. All fellows must attend from start to finish—partial attendance is not offered.

5. What is your attendance policy?
Daily, on-time attendance required. Fellows have 3 PTO days total (half-days count as full days). Repeated lateness will result in pay reduction or dismissal. Notify the director of absences as early as possible.

6. Will fellows have time off?
Yes. Weekends run Friday evening through Monday morning, except scheduled group Shabbats. Fellows may stay on-site or elsewhere.

7. Can I focus my time within one or two farm departments?
Fellows rotate through departments based on farm needs. While we consider interests, we don't guarantee specialization. Rotation often reveals unexpected interests.

8. What is the difference between a farm and homestead, and what are we?
We're a farmstead/community farm—larger than a typical homestead, with mostly staff farmers rather than resident-farmers. We incorporate diverse land projects and traditional skills that fellows can apply during and after the program.

9. Is there an intentional/residential community connected to Mahaz?
Other individuals and families live nearby, some are farm staff. They form a loose community sharing meals and Orthodox services occasionally, but there's no formal intentional community. Fellows can connect with residents while developing their own cohort community.

10. How will transportation work between the sites?
The program provides shared vehicles. Licensed fellows share carpooling duties. Fellows using personal vehicles for carpools receive mileage compensation—please note this in your application.

11. How fit/healthy do I need to be to participate in the program?
Work is physically demanding: lifting 40-pound bags, working in rain and heat, early starts, repetitive tasks. The program also requires emotional and social engagement. Prioritize your mental health and communicate any concerns.

12. How are food prep and meals organized during the fellowship?
Fellows have access to a shared kosher kitchen. The farm provides weekly seasonal harvests (eggs and vegetables). Basic toiletries and cleaning supplies are provided.

Fellows purchase additional groceries individually or together. Private storage available. Kitchens have cookware and utensils. Bring your own reusable water bottle and lunch containers.

Coordinate shared meal prep or manage independently.

13. What is Jewish observance and Shabbat like during the fellowship?
All Jewish backgrounds welcome. We accommodate both newcomers and halachically observant participants.

Kashrut: All kitchens are strictly kosher. Guidelines explained at orientation.

Shabbat: Monthly group Shabbats plus personal Shabbats. Most weekends are free time. Group Shabbats include prayer, meals, and learning. Fellows co-create and co-lead activities.

Holidays: Shavuot celebrated on-farm with residents and guests. Also: Lag B'Omer and Tisha B'Av.

14. What are some farm amenities that fellows can enjoy?
Open fields, woodlands, ponds, sauna, and indoor lounge/library. Near Shenandoah National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, and Appalachian Trail. Amtrak station in Charlottesville; airports in Charlottesville and Staunton.

15. Is there Wi-fi?
Limited wifi with slower speeds than urban areas. Weather may affect reliability.