Organic Farming Internship 2022
The Turner Farm Garden Crew Internship is a full-time, intensive program designed to educate beginning farmers who are interested in sustainable, organic agriculture. Interns will learn the skills for growing, harvesting, and processing a diversity of high-quality vegetables. They’ll function as part of the garden crew and experience the daily realities of a working organic farm through hands-on training. Throughout the season there will be many educational opportunities including field trips to other local farms, conferences, and on-farm classes taught by our experienced staff, in addition to guest speakers.
Passion for sustainable agriculture and/or local food systems is a must! Farming/gardening experience is encouraged but not required.
Interns will develop production skills including, but not limited to:
Organic farming methods
Seed Starting
Greenhouse management
High Tunnel Growing and season extension
Bed Preparation
Introduction to Horse-Powered Farming
Direct seeding and transplanting
Soil Health
Seasonal varietal selection
Crop Maintenance and weed control
Irrigation systems and tarping
Operating small machinery
Harvesting
Processing vegetables for storage and sale
Introduction to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) and distribution
Opportunities to work at the farmers market
Tracking vegetable production and record-keeping
Additional opportunities to learn about: livestock management, outdoor mushroom cultivation, growing microgreens, compost management
Dates: April 1st-October 31st
Hours: 40 hours/week, rain or shine, Monday - Friday with rotating Saturday morning chore responsibilities.
Compensation: $12/hr + $500 credit in our Farm Market + Educational opportunities and classes.
If you're interested in applying for the program, please email the following materials to cheryl@turnerfarm.org
-Cover letter
-Resume
-Turner Farm Internship Questionnaire (see below)
-2-3 professional references
Turner Farm Internship Questionnaire
Are you available for the entire season, April 1 - Oct 31? Please explain any restrictions on your availability in the above time frame.
What kind of knowledge, skills, and experiences are you interested in gaining during your apprenticeship? Please be as specific as possible.
Please outline your current understanding of the differences between conventional and sustainable or organic agriculture. Why are you interested in organic agriculture? What aspects of sustainable or organic agriculture interest you the most?
Please list any books, films, podcasts, or other resources (such as specific farms or farmers themselves) that have influenced your interest in and/or decision to pursue work experience in agriculture.
What attracts you to farm work?
Will you be able to visit the farm prior to making a commitment? An in-person interview with our Crop Production team is required.
Are you comfortable working on a farm that raises animals for meat?
Interviews will be conducted beginning in January of 2022. If you have additional questions about the program please email cheryl@turnerfarm.org