Food Project Farm Internship

Tweet

Food Project Farm Internship 2022 – Boulder, Colorado

The Food Project Farm Internship lasts one Full Season March 1 – October 28, 2022

Compensation: $2,250 stipend/month

Location: Boulder, CO

Check out our Internship Digital Booklet!

Growing Gardens’ mission is to cultivate community through sustainable urban agriculture. Our programs empower people of all ages, income levels, and abilities by connecting them with their local food system, each other, and the environment. 

Our organization values the diverse skills and individuals that come together to create a thriving community and workplace.  We are committed to the work we do, and bring our best selves each day, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously, have fun, and enjoy the process of doing good in our community.  We take care of each other and put people at the center of everything we do.

The focus of this internship will be to support operations (production and programming) at the Food Project Farm, a one-acre garden and educational site located in Longmont, CO. Produce from the farm is distributed locally at no, or low cost through on-farm programs, our reduced rate farm stand, and local food banks. The Food Project Farm also provides farm-based educational programming to local youth, and strives to demonstrate sustainable growing practices. The Food Project Farm Intern should have a desire to connect with, and work in service to, Longmont community members of all ages, identities, and backgrounds.

Food Project Farm Internship Duties    

Assist Farm Manager in all aspects of farm operation:

• Spring seedling cultivation: Seeding, transplanting, thinning, and fertilizing.
• Greenhouse management of seedlings: watering, temperature control, and pests.
• Vegetable cultivation: Seeding, transplanting, weeding, and crop care.
• Harvesting, washing, and packing of vegetables for donation.
• Management of soil fertility, pests, and diseases, using organic and holistic practices.
• Operation and maintenance of farm tools and equipment.
• Site maintenance including: mowing, pathways, and vermicompost bins.
• Installation, maintenance, and operation of irrigation systems.
• Weekly Monday morning shifts at the Growing Gardens Goat Dairy in Boulder.

Assist with Community Events, Outreach, and Education:

• Growing Gardens has a number of community events each year. Interns are expected to engage with community members and support GG staff during these events.
• The Food Project Farm hosts a diverse array of educational experiences for the Longmont community. The FPF Intern will mentor and work alongside teens in the Cultiva Youth Project during the summer months, and assist with other educational and experiential programming for children, teens, and adults throughout the season.
• Assist with plant and seed donations to partners and individual community members.
• Assist and lead members of our Work Trade program, as well as other volunteers, with greenhouse, wash station, and field-related tasks.
• Lead community groups on tours of the farm site.

Structure of Internship

• Internship duration is March 1 – October 28, 2022.
• Intern position is 30-50 hours per week. Hours will vary depending on the week and the season. As stated above, 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.
• During the summer, this intern will spend the majority of their time at the Food Project Farm in Longmont, but will also work ~1.5 days each week at our Boulder farm. Reliable transportation between farms will be the responsibility of the intern.
• Two weekend watering shifts are required every weekend March-June.
• Each Intern is supported by a Mentor and a Supervisor.
• Mentor oversees daily activities and supports each Intern’s growth during weekly meetings throughout the duration of the contract.
• Supervisor is available upon request for check-ins and meetings and provides general oversight of Growing Gardens’ internship program.

Benefits of Interning with Growing Gardens

• A living stipend of $2,250 is 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 Boulder County.
• Your own weekly share ($20-$35 value) of fresh seasonal vegetables each week from the garden June-October as the season permits.
• One week paid vacation.
• Knowledge and experience working on and managing a diversified vegetable farm.
• Make a positive impact in the lives of children, teens, adults, and families.
• Growing Gardens interns also participate in classes, workshops, and local farm tours.
• A wide variety of discounted organic seeds and seedlings.

A note about working here in the time of Covid-19

Like everyone around the globe our operations have been challenged by this pandemic. Our work has had to shift at a moments’ notice based on Public Health guidelines and changing priorities for the organization. We ask that interns are understanding of changing schedules and planned work as is necessary. We also require all interns to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19.

Qualifications

• Responsible, dedicated, and organized individual
• Strong work ethic and a passion for learning how to grow food for community
• Ability to work early morning, evening, and weekend hours
• Ability to hustle and thrive under pressure
• Physically capable of manual tasks, including lifting 40 pounds
• Applicants must be CPR and First Aid certified by March 1, 2022

Bonus Points

• Experience growing food in a farm or garden setting
• Fluency in speaking Spanish
• Experience working in adverse outdoor conditions
• Experience in community building, education, and volunteer leadership

Growing Gardens prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment and will take affirmative measures to ensure against them, especially if they are carried out on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, neurodiversity, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation or political affiliation. This policy applies to all employees or potential employees, volunteers, participants, members of the Growing Gardens Board of Directors, people who serve on Growing Gardens’ committees, and anyone attending Growing Gardens’ events.  This policy extends to all aspects of employment at Growing Gardens, including hiring, transfer, promotion, training, working conditions, policies, compensation, evaluation, discipline and termination.

To apply for the Food Project Farm Internship:

Email your cover letter, and resume to tim@growinggardens.org with your name and “FPF Internship 2022” in the subject.

Applications are due by January 7, 2022 but will remain open until filled.

In your cover letter, please include:

• Any previous volunteer and/or work in an agricultural setting.
• What skills or experiences will you bring to this internship?
• What do you hope to gain from this internship?
• What are your personal goals related to farming and/or community building?
• This internship is 8 months long, March through October, working full time, and up to 50 hours per week. Please share how this internship will fit into your life.

 

• Learn more about farming and food jobs and internships, or learn how to post a job, internship, or apprenticeship opportunity on beginningfarmers.org here.