Farming Internship

Schoolyard Farms at Candy Lane Elementary, Milwaukie, OR
Position closes: March 16, 2015
Compensation: Part-time internship, $200/month

Schoolyard Farms has repurposed one-acre of the schoolyard at Candy Lane Elementary into a small production farm that models and educates about healthy food-systems. In addition to operating a market farm, Schoolyard Farms offers weekly garden-based classes to the students of Candy Lane and hosts a farm-based Summer Camp. Schoolyard Farms seeks to create healthier communities by teaching kids to grow nutritious food that goes from their schoolyard to their plate.

Farm Interns will participate in all aspects of running a small-scale production farm. Schoolyard Farms grows over 40 different annual and perennial fruits and vegetables. The produce is grown for a 35-member CSA, Head Start, local grocers and the school cafeteria. The farm internship is designed for first-time urban farmers who are interested in learning farm basics. The internship is a hands-on, physical education. Farm interns will work primarily with the Farm Manager, and are an integral part to the Schoolyard Farms community, working along side Garden Educators, Summer Camp participants and volunteers.

Schoolyard Farms is a young organization looking to expand to other schools in the near future. Interning with Schoolyard Farms will allow you to get to know a growing organization and could turn into a long-term opportunity.

Time Commitment

• April 7th - October 30th, 2014
• Tuesday thru Thursday from 9-4pm*
  *In May and June, Interns must be available on Wednesdays to alternate between an 8am-2pm shift and a 1pm-8pm shift. The 1-8pm shift will take place at the Moreland Farmers Market.

Responsibilities

• Field work: Schoolyard Farms does most of their farming by hand. This includes seeding, planting, weeding, harvesting, bed preparations, watering, trellising, washing and packing produce.
• Small machine maintenance and operation, including weed whackers, mowers and tillers.
• General farm maintenance: Tool and equipment care
• Produce sales and customer interaction

Qualifications

• Must pass a criminal background check
• Demonstrated experience with some farming and gardening
• Physical fitness and ability to lift 50 lbs
• Positive, can-do attitude
• Self-motivated: Farm work requires physical and mental endurance, and farm days are spent outside in any weather
• Flexible: Farm work is dynamic, interns must be able to shift gears quickly and efficiently
• Collaborative: Farm interns must be comfortable working as a team

Benefits

• $200 monthly stipend
• College credits (check with your school)
• Hands-on training in small-scale, sustainable farming practices
• One CSA share (June-October)
• Potential for a long-term opportunity with Schoolyard Farms

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter answering the following questions:

1. Why do you want to participate in a farming internship at Schoolyard Farms?
2. What prior experience do you have with farming and/or gardening?
3. What experience do you have with physical work?
4. What three attributes would co-workers, family and friends all agree that you possess?

to Schoolyard Farms’ Executive Director and Farm Manager, Courtney Leeds, at [email protected] by 5:00pm on March 16th, 2015.

Schoolyard Farms provides equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation, in accordance with applicable federal laws.