Synergy Gardens

Last Updated On: enero 22nd, 2024 at 08:29AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
54329 Wilderness Lane
Homer, Alaska, 99603

Primary Contact: Lori Jenkins
Secondary Contact: Wayne Jenkins

Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 7062730077
    Email: loriarteacher@gmail.com

Secondary Phone
    Type: -----
    Number: 706-273-6049
    Email: wayne.jenkins27@gmail.com

    Email: wayne.jenkins27@gmail.com

Website: http://www.synergygardens.net

Internship information

General Farm Description: Welcome to Synergy Gardens, a 5-acre micro market-farm located 9 miles east of Homer Alaska! We cultivate two acres of mixed vegetables, edible flowers, fruit and Garlic plus manage bees, a small chicken egg flock and tend a meat poultry flock using bio-intensive approaches to promote soil health and superior nutrition. To ensure living soils and sustainable production we use cover crops, make and apply compost, use vermiculture, mulch, soil testing/mineral balancing and crop rotations. We market to local restaurants, our CSA, the Homer Farmers Market, and online on the Alaska Food Hub. We are dedicated to providing nutrient dense food to our community, sharing our farm through scheduled tours, workshops, hosting weekly Farm-to Table lunches for visitors and are continually involved in sustainable food education and advocacy.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: May 1, 2024, flexible
Internship Ends: October 31, 2024, flexible
Number of Internship Available: 2
Application Deadline: March 15 or until positions are filled
Minimum Length of Stay: 3 month minimum

Internship Details:

We have two open positions at Synergy Gardens for the 2024 growing season. Each position is full-time, with great learning opportunities in a beautiful locale. The work is very physical and days are full and sometimes long with multiple farm tasks necessary each workday. We offer a weekly farm vegetable half-share and monthly stipend. One three-day weekend break can be arranged per month for enjoying your time in our corner of Alaska. Opportunities to assist at the Homer Farmers Market are built in, as well as touring and helping at other area organic farms for wider learning experiences. To apply please share a cover letter explaining why you would like to work with us and a resume with education and work history to wayne.jenkins27@gmail.com along with phone & email contact information for 3 current references. Please detail work history which describes labor ability and tasks related to farming. We look forward to hearing from you! Thanks, Lori & Wayne.

Educational Opportunities: Interns (land stewards) will be exposed to most aspects of our small scale farming approach: optimum soil management, transplants production, direct seeding, transplanting, bed and field preparation, compost making, soil testing, fertilization approaches, weed cultivation, irrigation management, pruning, hoop house management, season extension methods, record keeping, multiple marketing approaches, harvest and crop preparation for sales... Direct instruction and hands on learning are used to provide an experience for supporting understanding, expertise and efficiency using the food production approaches that work for us. We provide opportunities for feedback and evaluation. You will get the most from your experience at Synergy Gardens with a serious interest in sustainable farming as an ecological, social, nutritional and personal response to multiple local, regional and global challenges we face. Learning opportunities also include: making quality compost, beekeeping, poultry care and harvest, succession sowing, crop rotations and use of cover crops. We incorporate visits and work trade opportunities to other area farms and high tunnels to broaden your experience. We want to be clear, days are long, necessary tasks are repetitive and intense in our long Alaskan summer days and the press of providing great food for multiple markets can be daunting. You will be stretched, challenged and hopefully inspired by our beautiful setting, agricultural vision and practical approaches to farming ecologically while also being a profitable business. Ask yourself; "Am I really up to the challenge, mentally, physically and spiritually?" Am I ready to be stretched beyond my comfort zone in a remote region of the US?

Skills Desired: The ability to communicate appropriately at appropriate times. Ability to lay electronic social connections aside during work periods. Previous sustainable farming/market gardening experience is a major plus. Agriculture study and similar farm interests are a plus. Can-do, positive attitude and desire to work as part of a team is necessary. Ability to work full days and in adverse weather conditions. Patience, compassion and a good sense of humor. Understanding and interest in community building. Ability to work with the public with positivity and grace.

Meals: A weekly half Farm Share is included with the stipend. Workday lunches include farm-fresh vegetables, wild caught salmon, halibut, beans and rice, the best fresh salads you've ever had as well as occasional farm dinners. Interns are encouraged to assist in the planning, preparation and cleanup of shared farm meals.

Stipend: $1200 per month based on experience.

Housing: Options: private dry cabin with electricity; a beautiful tent camp site; using your RV. We provide shared indoor hot showers and laundry facilities.

Preferred method of Contact: email