Farm Management Internship in Colorado

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Organic Farm Management Internship in Colorado at Growing Gardens (Boulder) – March 3

Growing Gardens’ mission is to enrich the lives of our community through sustainable urban agriculture. We envision people experiencing a direct and deep connection with plants, the land and each other. Growing Gardens unites the Boulder County community through urban agriculture projects. We share a property with two other organizations; Mountain Flower Goat Dairy, a small urban goat dairy focused on education, and Long’s Gardens, a historic farm that specializes in propagating specialty iris.

The focus of this farm management internship in Colorado will be to support production for our Boulder Farm, a certified organic two-acre mixed vegetable farm with a four-acre orchard containing fruit trees and berries. Produce from the farm is principally sold through our on-site Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, as well as a weekly Farm Stand. We also manage a small number of wholesale accounts and donate a significant portion of our harvest to those in need in our community. This internship also involves some animal husbandry, as we partner with Mountain Flower Goat Dairy to support a regenerative agricultural system within the property.

The Farm Management Intern will report to the Boulder Farm Manager and Mountain Flower Herd Manager and work extensively with the Cultiva farm crew members and must have both the ability and desire to mentor and engage with young people. The Farm Management Internship is fast paced and requires a great deal of hard work, focus, and care. It is also deeply rewarding.

Farm Management Internship Duties     

• Assist the farmer and farm assistant in all aspects of farm operation:
• Weekly chore shifts at the goat dairy, including all aspects of milk production, animal care, grazing and rotation management and educational events for the public
• Planning, installation, and operation of irrigation systems
• Bed preparation
• Seeding, transplanting, thinning, and fertilizing seedlings
• Early season greenhouse growing for the plant sale and field crops
• Cultivation and weeding
• Pest and disease management
• Harvesting, washing, and packing of crops for CSA, farm stand, and wholesale accounts
• Cover cropping and soil sampling
• Operation of tractors, mowers, and other farm equipment
• Maintenance of grounds and site infrastructure
• Record-keeping
• Prepare and weigh produce for donation program
• Assist, teach, and oversee volunteers and groups of volunteers with greenhouse, wash station, and field-related tasks

Schedule and responsibilities for the organic farm management internship in Colorado change by season and week (see sample schedule below), but throughout the year will include:

• Wednesday evening CSA pick-ups
• Farmers’ Market gleaning program with Cultiva teens
• Weekend Plant Sales in May
• Weekend greenhouse care and watering
• Weekend, morning, and evening shifts at the goat dairy
• Fruit Share pickups at the Boulder Farmer’s Market
• Farm to Table events and support at our annual Farm Gala fundraiser

Knowledge and Skills the Intern May Acquire:

• Small scale organic vegetable production techniques including:
• Soil health
• Tractor skills and maintenance
• Irrigation systems planning, implementation, and maintenance
• Direct seeding and transplanting practices
• Pest management
• Harvest and post-harvest techniques
• CSA management experience
• Experience with small scale dairy production and animal husbandry
• Produce sales and marketing experience
• Management and leadership experience working with diverse populations
• Exposure to the operations of a non-profit, community-based organization
• Experience working farm dinners and other farm-based events

Structure of the Farm Management Internship in Colorado

• Internship duration is March 3 – October 30, 2020
• Intern must attend mandatory orientation
• Intern position is 30-50 hours per week. Hours will vary depending on the week and the season. A portion of those hours will take place on evenings and weekends. We generally work more hours per week in the height of the growing season and less in the early spring and late fall. Please see below for a sample of a week’s schedule during different seasons.
• Each Intern is supported by a Mentor
• Mentor oversees daily activities and supports each Intern’s growth during weekly meetings throughout the duration of the contract

Schedules can vary from week to week, but below is a sample of what a week could look like on the farm during each season.

Spring Sample Weekly Schedule (March-May)

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Alternating Saturdays and Sundays (3-4 weekend days a month)
Watering and inventory of seedlings, weekly team meeting, seeding in the greenhouse	Seeding with volunteers in the greenhouse, bed prep in the field, afternoon goat dairy shift	Set up goat fencing and bring animals to pasture, field work, laying irrigation and direct seeding in the field	A.M. goat dairy shift, seeding with volunteers in the greenhouse, finish seeding projects with education interns	A.M. goat dairy shift, work with corporate volunteer group, field work	Watering and greenhouse check-in, Plant Sale shifts, goat dairy shifts and bottle feeding events

Summer Sample Weekly Schedule (June-mid-September)

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Alternating Saturdays and Sundays (3-4 weekend days a month)
Field walkthrough and CSA list, weekly team meeting, harvesting, field work	Harvesting, washing, and processing with Cultiva youth, field work	Harvesting, washing, processing with Cultiva youth, mid-day break, prep for CSA, CSA pickup, gleaning at the Farmer’s Market	Gleaning with volunteers in the field, weeding and field work, P.M goat dairy shift	Harvesting, field work, goat dairy working	Watering and greenhouse check-in, goat dairy shifts and bottle feeding events

Fall Sample Weekly Schedule (mid-September-October)

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Alternating Saturdays and Sundays (3-4 weekend days a month)
Field walkthrough and CSA list, weekly team meeting, harvesting, field work	Harvest, wash and process for CSA	Harvest, wash, and process with volunteers, mid-day break, prep for CSA, CSA pickup	Gleaning with volunteers in the field, weeding and field work	Harvesting, field work, workshops or seminars	Watering and greenhouse check-in, goat dairy shifts and bottle feeding events, fruit share pick-ups at market

Benefits of Interning with Growing Gardens

• Knowledge gained through experience working on and managing a diversified vegetable operation.
• Hands-on experience making a positive impact in the lives of children, teens, and adults.
• Community connections and networking within the burgeoning local food movement.
• Friendly, relaxed environment.
• Develop marketable teaching, leadership, and management skills.
• Additional training offered through Growing Gardens classes, workshops, and staff shadowing
• Access to a wide variety of discounted organic seeds and plant starts.
• Opportunity to garden in the intern community garden plot at the Hawthorn Garden site.
• Fresh vegetables from the garden as the season permits June-October. This benefit has the value of $20-$35 per week depending on the time of year.
• Site is centrally located and easily accessed via public transportation.
• Living stipend of $1200 paid at the end of each month Note: we do not have housing provided as part of this internship. This stipend is meant to offset the cost of housing and basic needs in the city of Boulder.
• One week paid vacation

Qualifications

• Responsible, dedicated, and organized individual
• Strong work ethic and a passion for learning how to grow food and develop community
• Ability to hustle and thrive under pressure
• Physically capable of manual tasks, including lifting 40 pounds
• Some growing experience is desired, but it is not required for this position
• Applicants must be CPR and First Aid certified by March 3, 2020.

To Apply for the Farm Management Internship in Colorado:

Applications are due by January 6, 2020 but will remain open until filled.

Send cover letter, resume, and completed application to Sarah Kell: sarah@growinggardens.org. Applications at www.growinggardens.org/internships.

We also have seasonal internships for the summer and fall. Please visit www.growinggardens.org/internships for full descriptions and applications.

 

• Learn more about farming and food jobs and internships, or learn how to post a job, internship, or apprenticeship opportunity on beginningfarmers.org at https://www.beginningfarmers.org/internship-and-employment-opportunities/