Organic Farm Intern, 2018 Season
Seasonal position between early February and late October
Temporary, Full Time, Non-Exempt
Responsible To:
Farm Manager
Position Summary:
The farm crew will consist of the farm manager, a part-time farm assistant, and interns. The farm team and staff will provide training, mentorship and guidance in growing, maintaining and harvesting produce on Crown Point’s five-acre vegetable farm, which serves a 150 member CSA, the Akron-Canton Food Bank, farmer’s markets and restaurants. Interns can expect to gain the basic skills necessary to manage their own farms and adopt permaculture principles.
A strong work ethic, a positive attitude and good sense of humor are essential for this position. Interns must be able to withstand challenging weather conditions; do repetitive, tedious tasks; and be able to “go with the flow,” as plans often change quickly in farming. Good teamwork skills are also essential, including good communication skills and the ability to stay calm, professional, and focused in a fast-paced, sometimes stressful environment.
People with a demonstrated interest in pursuing a farming career are especially encouraged to apply. Candidates must be able to commit to 3 or 6 consecutive months between early March and late October.
Essential Duties and Learning Objectives:
Other responsibilities may be assigned as necessary.
- Field work
- Seed starting
- Greenhouse management and season extension
- Bed preparation
- Direct seeding and transplanting
- Field preparation which may include tractor use
- Cultivating and weeding using organic methods
- Pest and weed management
- Irrigation systems
- Compost management
- Operating and maintaining relevant machinery
- Harvests and Sales
- Harvesting, washing and packing crops for distribution to all accounts.
- Keeping records of produce distributed through each avenue.
- Assisting with Crown Point’s annual spring plant sale production and sales.
- Education, Management and Outreach
- Participates in intern educational activities, working visits to other farms, completing self-directed projects, field walks, and oral or written presentations
- Trains, supervises and directs CSA shareholders and volunteers on farm tasks.
- Orients and educates CSA shareholders on informal basis.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
Education
- High School diploma or equivalent required.
Experience
- One growing season of experience with organic vegetable farming preferred. Some experience (paid, volunteer, or hobby) doing outdoor, physical work (e.g. gardening, landscaping, carpentry, outdoor-based camp counselor, etc.) is required.
- Experience with farm equipment and machinery helpful.
- CSA or farmers’ market experience helpful.
- Experience cooking/eating/preserving diverse fresh vegetables helpful.
Skills
- Listens carefully and follows directions. Communicates clearly and effectively, and asks questions when clarity is needed.
- Multi-tasks and works efficiently. Delegates tasks and supervises others in a professional, courteous manner in what is usually a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment.
- Helps create a community-focused environment that supports the Crown Point mission and its guiding principles, and promotes a positive, healthy work environment for all farm and CPEC staff.
- Maintains a valid driver’s license.
Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:
- Flexible hours based on the weather, season, and requirements of activities. Approximate hours during the busy time of the season will be 9 to 10 hour days, Monday through Friday, and either Saturdays or Sundays for half days in the morning.
- Work requires physical exertion and activities such as stooping, bending, lifting and pushing/pulling heavy equipment. All apprentices must be able to lift and carry 50 pounds.
- Farm work goes on, even when it is cold, wet, windy, hot, etc. Apprentices must dress appropriately and be ready to work under challenging weather conditions.
- Farming is not without risk. Slip and fall accidents, back injury, equipment-based injuries, etc. can happen. Interns must have their own health insurance.
Benefits:
- Weekly stipend of $324
- Produce from the farm
- Occasional attendance to farm-based workshops and farm visits.
- Workers’ compensation.
- Paid vacation days (depending on length of internship), plus two paid floating holidays.
- Rustic housing may be available on the farm.
To Apply:
Please email or snail mail the following materials to
Marc Amante, Farm Manager, at
Monica Bongue, Exec. Director at
Crown Point Ecology Cente
P.O. Box 484
Bath, OH 44210
- Detailed résumé that highlights your qualifications for the internship position.
- Cover letter that explains why you are interested in the position, and why at Crown Point particularly. Please also include the earliest date at which you would be able to start, and the latest date until which you could work in the fall.
- Telephone number(s) and email addresses of three references, of which at least one MUST be a former or current employer/supervisor. Please include a short description of how you know this person (Supervisor from Acme Landscapers, etc.).
Upon review of the application materials, the farm manager will contact the top candidates to schedule a 2-3 hour working visit and interview, in which candidates can see the farm, work with the farm staff, and both candidates and farm staff can determine whether it would be a good fit. Depending on scheduling, the working visit and interview may have to take place on different days. If you are applying from a distance and are unable to do a working visit, please let Marc know when you send your application materials.
Crown Point will accept applications and schedule working visits/interviews on a rolling basis until the open positions are filled.