Market Garden P/T Internship – The Twining Vines Program

Last Updated On: julio 30th, 2024 at 09:15AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
93851 Horton Rd.
Blachly, Oregon, 97412

Primary Contact: Debra Seido Martin
Secondary Contact: Bill Booth

Primary Phone:
    Type: Office
    Number: (541)925-3019
    Email: hortonroadorganics@gmail.com

Website: https://www.hortonorganics.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: Horton Road Organics is a five acre organic market garden founded in 1992 by partners Debra Seido Martin and Bill Booth who have been training apprentices since 1997. The farm is nestled in the coast range of Oregon in the Siulsaw National Forest outside Eugene and also serves as a retreat space for a Zen practice community in Eugene. Some two hundred raised beds rotate through a full array of organic vegetables during the season, including the most luscious greens and crisp sweet root crops. Horton Road is particularly loved for its flavorful salad blends, generous bunches, equitable prices and customer appreciation. The farm’s elevated mountain valley enjoys lower temperatures during the growing season allowing for cool season crops throughout the summer. A significant amount of farm surplus is donated to local agencies that feed at risk communities. Much of the day to day work is done by hand with careful attention to the needs of the plants, the soil and human bodies touching the earth. We enjoy a structured work week than shifts with each season balancing hands on work with study, meditation, community events and private time. Our training program (Twining Vines) is administered collaboration with Zen West for students interested in learning the art of growing organic food and exploring the connection between inner and outer ecologies. The program investigates the dynamic interconnection between how we understand ourselves, our place in the world, and how we take care for the earth. Each season brings together a lively cohort of participants – staff, apprentices, interns, sangha members, and volunteers – for wholesome work and play, inner learning and service to the community.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: June 23, 2025
Internship Ends: Sept 19, 2025
Number of Internship Available: 4
Application Deadline: May 31, 2025
Minimum Length of Stay: 13 weeks

Internship Details:

The Twining Vines program gives students an immersive experience to explore the vital connection between inner and outer ecologies. Part time Interns gain experience in growing food organically, developing healthy community, and fostering insight and resilience through contemplative practice.

Twining vines season part time summer internships runs for 13 weeks mid June through mid September. (We also offer full time residential stays June-Oct, listed separately). Part time interns arrange for a minimum of 2 days per week. We have a structured schedule that includes daily hands on market garden practice, meditation & mindfulness, farmer’s market training, classes, group discussions and community events. Part time interns partake of the 26 curriculum that includes weekly classes on growing food organically, contemplative practice, community development, and Buddhist insight into the interconnections between nature and human consciousness. Interns are encouraged to supplement with readings and assignments based on their interests.

Twining Vines is a project launched in collaboration between Horton Road Organic farm training young farmers since 1997 and Empty Field/ Zen West a nonprofit Zen Buddhist center emphasizing environmental awareness and responsibility for the Earth.

Educational Opportunities: Part time interns are integrated into our full season curriculum. Educational experience dependent upon the days part time interns are present, usually Mondays and Fridays minimally. Our full season curriculum weaves together a blend of experiential learning and class training in market gardening, contemplative practice and community building. Students learn how to care wisely for the land and developing insight and inner resilience through meditation and Buddhist teachings on ecology. Gardening: Students learn how to sow seeds, plant, cultivate, harvest, prepare vegetables. Hands on work offers intimacy with the ever changing landscape. Field work is also challenging, requiring stamina, dedication, and mindful attention to detail. Weekly classes cover a full range of organic gardening topics including how to build healthy soil, propagate plants, irrigate, use cover crops, and work organically with garden pests. Insight: Students develop contemplative practices that fosters insight, resilience and community belonging. Contemplative training integrates wisdom from diverse fields including Zen, psychology, and other somatic traditions. Some practices include meditation, mindfulness, council practice, communication skills, and conflict resolution. Discussion space explores responses to climate disruption and social injustice. Class series introduces students to a Buddhist view of interdependence and ethics in care of the earth. Community: Students learn how to live and work together in a way that fosters support and harmony.

Skills Desired: Prior gardening, farming or outdoor experience is helpful but not as important as genuine interest and a willingness to learn. Applicants should have some affinity for contemplative practice and investigating one’s “inner ecology.”

Meals: Part time interns welcome to organic field vegetables.

Stipend: Student travel expenses and field gear are covered.

Housing: No. However, some part time interns enjoy overnights at the farm before their schedule work days.

Preferred method of Contact: email