Khalsa Family Farms Internship in New Mexico

Posted on January 4, 2021 by Taylor in Education, Farming, Internships // 0 Comments

Khalsa Family Farms Internship in Espanola, New Mexico – 2021

Khalsa Family Farms is a 501(c)3 non-profit in Espanola, NM supported by the Hacienda de Guru Ram Das yoga community. We provide a variety of produce to our community using multiple geothermal greenhouses, two acres of farmland, and various other structures for season extension. Our produce is sold at a multitude of local co-ops and farmers markets, and most excess is donated to the greater northern New Mexico community. We also have a CSA of 15-40 people, depending on the season. Our Farm has implemented advanced and ancient technologies of geothermal insulation, climate battery operations, solar power, acequia irrigation systems, and biodynamics maintaining optimal sub tropical growing environments year round. We also use integrated pest management, fast crop rotation, and reduced water usage systems. Our Certified Naturally Grown application just got approved.

Khalsa Family Farms Internship

This March we will be starting our first formal internship. Though we have been hosting interns since last summer, we have decided to make our program a bit more structured for the spring season. All interns will start around the same date, be expected to commit at least 3 months, and will take part in a collaborative learning environment. Classes will take place on a weekly basis; some topics include Agricultural Botany, Permaculture Ethics and Principles, Soil Chemistry and Composting Systems, etc. Various other workshops will be available to interns, and we encourage folks to teach, learn, and share from each other. Interns are not expected to have any experience with farming, but rather a passion for sustainability, a strong understanding of responsibility, a desire to help others, and a deep reverence for the natural world. We are especially interested in recruiting folks that are interested in localizing food security and sustainable, regenerative agriculture. No farming experience expected. We love to teach folks new to farming about what we do!

Interns are expected to work 5 hours/day, 5 days a week in exchange for room, board, educational opportunities, and yoga classes as desired. Many interns find outside work in the community; this is encouraged as long as it fits in with our COVID-19 policy. This is a very intentional community that supports each other in various ways, and with that being said we do ask interns and volunteers to agree to a zero tolerance substance policy, commit to eating a lacto-vegetarian diet, and to be respectful and open-minded. Interns are in no way expected or obligated to participate in the spiritual or yoga community here, but it is an excellent opportunity to tune in to mindfulness, experience a new culture, or start a new yoga journey.

Housing and all food for meals provided. Interns are on a revolving cooking schedule for communal lunches during the work week. Occasionally members from the community will cook a traditional Indian meal for the interns, and there is always wonderful vegetarian food at the ashram.