Farming Intern
hiring immediately

Position Description

We are looking for a highly motivated, detail-oriented and energetic person for this position of Field Intern. This position will support the food/farming programming. The person in this role will support our Field manager in managing the up to 3-acre Education area, including Discovery Garden, Education Fields, small goatherd and chicken flocks, as well as coordinating with farm staff and volunteers to accomplish large seasonal projects. You should be ready to hit the ground running, supporting implementation of our crop plan.

Our fields are grown to support our education and produce distribution programs. We run seasonal field trips and Farm Immersions (April-June &Sept-Nov), a weekly immersive program (Sept-June), drop-in programs (year-round), Farm Camps, Summer Leader in Training and job programs (June-July), two large annual community events, spring, summer and fall u-pick events, a partnership with Food What?! (March-Oct) and internship programs. We grow about 5000 pounds of organic produce for 3 community partner meal and grocery distribution programs for neighbors in need.

This position requires a collaborative individual with a high level of organization and flexibility. You are someone looking to expand your farming skills, who can engage and inspire the youth we serve about multiple aspects of the food system from production, to consumption, to food justice. You are approachable, a great communicator, and passionate about our mission. You dive in and get the daily work done with a strong attention to detail. You’re playful, comfortable being you, and willing to share your personal magic with Farm Discovery students while creating safe space on the farm and in the kitchen.

Responsibilities:

• Support seasonal and day-to-day organic farming operations with our Field Manager
  • propagation and greenhouse work, crop planning, planting and rotation, soil fertility, composting, perennial fruit tree and berry care, harvesting, post-harvest handling, irrigation, pest and disease control.
  • Care for goat heard and flocks of chickens through daily and seasonal husbandry. Raise chicks seasonally.
• Support farming curriculum implementation.
• Maintain order and cleanliness of garden, fields, animal pens, education barn, kitchen classroom, and restroom.
• Assist with Produce (donation and distribution) program.
• Work with program and administration staff to accomplish big events including u-picks, Sheep to Shawl Fair, Harvest Festival and Fall Feast in the Fields, as well as smaller community building and fundraising events (Supporter’s Picnic, Holiday Sip & Shop, Land Stewardship Workdays).
• Support implementation of fundraising and community events.
• Participate in program evaluation (quantitative and qualitative).

Personal Characteristics

• Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure own behavior and the behavior of others are consistent with these standards and align with the values of the organization.
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others both internally and externally to achieve the goals of the organization.
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Focus on Client Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
• Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
• Organization: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details/data/information/activities.
• Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.

Preferred:

• Bilingual Spanish speaker.
• Experience and understanding of Latinx culture.
• Farming gardening and/or nutrition experience, skills, and/or passion.
• Familiarity with area agricultural business and philanthropic sectors.

Experience

• 1-3 semesters experience in horticulture

Work Setting

• 3-5 acres of nonprofit organic farming fields, orchards and animal pens
• This is a 10-20 hours per week, position.

Duration

The position will be filled by immediately for a semester long commitment

Position Details

This is a 10-20 hour per week internship.

At this time, this position is available to eligible students at public colleges and universities through the Learning-Aligned Employment Program

*To Apply:
*Please fill in the following form: https://forms.gle/cvkabewcktBdSjU68

the form will require the following two items to be uploaded within it:

• A cover letter that shares the unique skills you bring to the table and includes the date or range of timing you are interested/available to start
• A resume with at least two professional references

 We will begin reviewing and accepting candidate material immediately.