Vegetable Production and Marketing Internships

Tweet

VEGETABLE PRODUCTION AND MARKETING INTERNSHIPS IN TANGIER, INDIANA – 2019

STEFFEN FARMS (Quiet Springs Farm & Pearson’s Melon Farm)

We are a vegetable production and marketing operation, growing 20-30 acres of produce per year and marketing most of it through our own 2 markets, one in Indiana and one in Illinois. Our 5 major crops are watermelons, cantaloupes, tomatoes (field and greenhouse), sweet corn and nearly 100 different varieties of pumpkins, squash and gourds.  We also grow a significant amount of cucumbers, zucchini, onions, green beans, potatoes, cabbage, peppers and sweet potatoes along with a few other minor crops. We cover every step of the process, from planting seeds in the greenhouse or in the ground, to handing the produce to our customers. We generally employ 4-6 field workers and 2-3 marketing clerks per season. We currently utilize sustainable farming practices, but also have many years of experience implementing compliant organic practices.

WHAT KINDS OF WORK EXPERIENCES ARE INVOLVED IN THE VEGETABLE PRODUCTION AND MARKETING INTERNSHIPS: We strive to give interns a broad, comprehensive experience, from start to finish and everything in between. Tasks include: Seeding, watering, fertilizing and transplanting in the field of over 25,000 vegetable transplants; cultivating and hoeing weeds; trellising tomatoes in the field and greenhouse; harvesting, grading and packing produce; hauling produce to markets; stocking, rotating and pricing produce; selling produce; delivering produce to charitable organizations; operating and maintaining equipment; possible involvement in internet marketing.  

WHERE ARE WE LOCATED: 75 miles west of Indianapolis, near Tangier, Indiana in the northwest corner of Parke County with fields on the sandy hills bordering the Wabash River 

The tiny of community of Tangier, is regionally famous for its buried beef sandwiches, served during the annual, 10-day, Covered Bridge Festival, and hosts an annual, one-day, local music festival. Parke County, Indiana is a mix of hardwood forests on striking cliffs and hills surrounding streams and patches of productive farm land.  It is home to Turkey Run and Shades State Parks, the Racoon Lake State Recreation area, the Lake Waveland local conservation area and nearly 30 covered bridges. It is also home to a thriving Amish community with numerous produce farms and cottage industries as well as a large produce auction. During the less busy times, we try to carve out opportunities for interns, as a group, to enjoy the local canoeing, fishing, hiking, camping and music, etc.

WHEN WE NEED HELP: June through October. While April and May are busy (it is helpful to catch part of May, as that is when we are seeding), we usually cover this work with our regular help. July, August and September are crazy busy, with June and October being “just” busy. We often have opportunities for additional work with the remodeling of buildings and equipment repair and fabrication in November. We try to accommodate individual schedule needs, starting and ending dates can vary somewhat. Interns generally work 5 to 6 days per week, 6 to 8 hours per day.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING WITH VEGETABLE PRODUCTION AND MARKETING INTERNSHIPS: Interns work alongside the owners, in the fields and at the markets, daily. As former teachers, is our natural inclination to help people we work with to understand the “why” behind the practices. During June and October, weekly discussions, demonstrations or workshops on the following topics (and other areas of intern interest) will generally be followed by a company cookout. Topics will likely include: Soils and Fertilization; Greenhouses and Other Protected Structures, Watering and Irrigation, Mulching and Weed Control, Insect Management, Disease Management, Marketing, and Organic Production. The co-owner/operator of Steffen Farms has taught and conducted research at Penn State University on plant biology, vegetable production and sustainable farming systems

STIPEND/COMPENSATION: Room (the former Pearson family, farm house) & basic board (simple staple items plus our produce) provided; $8/hr. plus completion bonus.

VEGETABLE PRODUCTION AND MARKETING INTERNSHIPS JOB REQUIREMENTS: While farming/gardening experience is very helpful, we are also looking for nice people who are energetic, goal-oriented, intellectually alert and not afraid of hard work. We need people who are physically and mentally tough enough to handle 30 pound watermelons on hot days in the field and at the market, but they also have to be careful enough to handle fully ripe tomatoes.

CONTACT: Ken Steffen, 4776W 950N, Tangier, IN 47952; ken@steffen-farms.com;

765-562-2574.  Please email your resume with references and a cover letter with the date range during which you would be available.

 

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