Fall Organic Farming Internship

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, including a small urban goat dairy. We share a property with another organization, Long’s Gardens, a historic farm that propagating specialty iris.

The Organic Farming Intern will report to the Boulder Farm Manager. The Organic Farming Internship is fast paced and requires a great deal of hard work, focus, and care. It is also deeply rewarding.

Farm Intern Duties 

• Assist the farmer and farm assistant in all aspects of farm operation:
• Operation and maintenance of tools and equipment.
• Installation and operation of irrigation systems.
• Bed preparation and planting.
• Cultivation and weeding.
• Pest and disease management.
• Harvesting, washing, and packing of crops for CSA, Farm Stand, wholesale accounts and donations.
• Cover cropping
• Maintenance of grounds and site infrastructure.
• Record-keeping
• Assist, teach, and oversee volunteers with greenhouse, wash station, and field-related tasks
• Assist with farm picnics and other events (this requires some evening and weekend hours)

Knowledge and Skills the Intern May Acquire: 

• Small scale organic vegetable production techniques including:
  • Soil health
  • Irrigation systems planning, implementation, and maintenance
  • Direct seeding techniques
  • Pest management
  • Harvest and post-harvest techniques
• Prep and processing techniques for weekly CSA pickups.
• Experience operating and maintaining tools and equipment.
• Management and leadership experience working with diverse populations.
• Experience prepping for our farm picnics and working other events.
• Exposure to the operations of a non-profit, community-based organization.

Structure of Internship

• Internship duration is August 17 – October 29, 2021
• Intern must attend mandatory orientation
• Intern position is 15 hours per week. These hours will be spread out over two to three days each week.
• One of these days must be a Tuesday or Wednesday from 7AM-3PM. These hours will shift to 8AM-4PM in October.
• Each Intern is supported by a Mentor and Supervisor
• Mentor oversees daily activities and supports each Intern’s growth during weekly meetings throughout the duration of the contract

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
• Opportunity to garden in the intern community garden plot at the Hawthorn Garden site.
• Fresh vegetables from the garden as the season permits. 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.
• This internship qualifies for school credit.

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

Like everyone around the globe our operations have been challenged by this pandemic. We are asking for a few commitments and understandings from our interns and staff during this time that are not typically a part of this experience. They are:

• We ask that interns maintain what we are calling a “Covid-Safe” lifestyle while they work on our team. During the growing season we have to operate in relatively close-quarters and our work is farm-based (not a lot of working remotely). We consider this a blessing generally, but it means we must be exemplars of the standards set by our Public Health Department. These change frequently, however at the time of this posting they include: Wearing a face mask at all times, limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people from no more than 2 households, limiting travel to only “essential” travel, and following all County guidelines regarding testing in the event of illness or contact with anyone experiencing Covid-19 symptoms.
• We understand that our interns often live in shared living spaces with other young professionals, extended family, and all sorts of other situations. We only ask that you behave as cautiously as possible and ask the same of those you live with.
• We will have daily screenings upon arriving at work including a questionnaire and a temperature check.
• 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 have worked very hard to ensure that this is still a fantastic place to be, work, and learn. We are asking that you work hard at keeping our community safe.

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
• Applicants must be CPR and First Aid certified by August 17, 2021.

   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.