Farm and Compost Internship in NYC

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QBG Farm and Compost Internship, NYC Compost Project hosted by Queens Botanical Garden

Queens Botanical Garden (QBG), in partnership with the Department of Sanitation of New York’s (DSNY) NYC Compost Project, is seeking seasonal interns for the QBG Farm & Compost site.

QBG Farm & Compost site is a place where New Yorkers can participate and learn about urban farming and composting through tours, workshops, internships, and volunteer opportunities. Fruit and vegetables are grown with a focus on soil health and care, without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.  Crops harvested are shared with seasonal interns, volunteers, and donated to emergency food relief programs.

Interns will support NYC Compost Project staff in running and maintaining one acre of intensively planted, mixed vegetable, fruit and flower production and educational areas. Interns will also help support on-site composting operations. They are looking for dedicated, hard-working individuals with a keen interest in urban farming and composting.

Timeframe:

Farm interns must be able to work Mondays and Thursdays over a three to six month period of time between May and October.

Program Objectives:

• Gain skills in urban farming through planting, tending, and harvesting crops
• Prepare and store fresh produce for donation
• Learn about maintaining healthy soils via compost, cover crops, and mulching
• Learn how to create and manage compost according to National Organic Program guidelines.
• Create an in depth awareness about food scrap recycling in NYC

Qualifications:

• Self-motivated, excellent communicator, with the ability to work alone as well as with others
• Commitment to being present and punctual on work days
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weather; able to lift up to 40 pounds
• Ability to perform diverse, sometimes repetitive, tasks that can be physically demanding.

The internship is unpaid, but qualifying students are encouraged to earn school or program credit for their work with us and to research funding opportunities through their learning institutions.

To apply for the Farm and Compost Internship, qualified candidates should (1) complete the online form at bit.ly/qbgintern_cp and (2) email a resume to farm@queensbotanical.org. Please put “Farm and Compost Internship 2016” in the subject line of the email. Applications are due by Sunday, February 21. Queens Botanical Garden is an equal opportunity employer.

The NYC Compost Project hosted by Queens Botanical Garden works to rebuild NYC’s soils by providing New Yorkers with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to produce and use compost locally. The NYC Compost Project is funded and managed by the NYC Department of Sanitation’s Bureau of Recycling and Sustainability. Learn more at nyc.gov/compostproject and queensbotanical.org/education/compost.