Organic Farm Management Internship in Colorado

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Organic Farm Management Internship in Colorado with Growing Gardens

Full Season  Organic Farm Management Internship 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 Farm Management Intern works in all operations of the Boulder farm with Cultiva youth, volunteers, and others to support a CSA program, donation program, and farm stand. The Farm Management Internship is fast paced and requires a great deal of hard work, focus, and care.

Farm Intern Duties

• Assist the Farm Manager and growing staff in all aspects of farm operation:
• Weekly chore shifts at the goat dairy, including 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 and planting
• Seeding, transplanting, thinning, and fertilizing both seedlings in the greenhouse and field crops
• 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, wholesale accounts, and donations
• Help to manage and run CSA pickups and the farm stand
• Cover cropping, soil sampling, and understanding of soil health on the farm
• Operation of tractors, mowers, and other farm equipment
• Maintenance of grounds and site infrastructure
• Record-keeping
• Assist with produce donation program
• Assist, teach, and work with diverse populations in greenhouse, wash station, and field-related tasks
• Mentor and teach teens in the Cultiva Youth Project
• Lead volunteer projects with people of differing abilities
• Assist with other operations of the non-profit, and help with set up and execution of other farm-based events

Structure of the Organic Farm Management Internship in Colorado

• Internship duration is March 1 – October 28, 2022
• Monthly stipend of $2,250 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.
• Intern position is 30-50 hours per week. Hours will vary depending on the week and the season. Some 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.
• Weekend watering shifts are required March-June.
• Intern will attend the internship orientation meeting.
• Intern will work closely with a mentor who oversees daily activities and supports each Intern’s growth during the season.

Benefits of Interning with Growing Gardens

• 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.
• Classroom training offered through Growing Gardens classes.
• Access to a wide variety of discounted organic seeds and plant starts.
• Fresh vegetables from the garden as the season permits June-October.
• All Growing Gardens internships qualify for university credit if that is desired by the intern
• Site is centrally located and easily accessed via public transportation.
• One week paid vacation

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 and develop 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
• Some growing experience is desired, but it is not required for this position
• Applicants must be CPR and First Aid certified by March 1, 2022.

Bonus Points

• Fluency in other languages
• Experience working in adverse 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 Organic Farm Management Internship in Colorado

Send resume and cover letter, that includes below information, to Sarah Kell: sarah@growinggardens.org with your name and “Full Season Farm Management Intern Application” in the subject line.

Applications due January 7th, 2022.

In your cover letter, please include:

• Any previous volunteer and/or work in an agricultural setting
• What skills or experiences you will bring to this internship
• What you hope to gain from this internship
• What are your personal goals related to farming
• 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.

www.growinggardens.org/internships 

 

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