Organic Farming Internship – Growing Gardens
Last Updated On: December 9th, 2024 at 12:25PM MST
Contact information
Farm Address:1630 Hawthorn Avenue
Boulder, Colorado, 80304
Primary Contact: Wes Vaughn
Primary Phone:
Type: Office
Number: 3034439952
Email: wesley@growinggardens.org
Website: https://www.growinggardens.org
Internship information
General Farm Description: Growing Gardens’ mission is to cultivate community through regenerative urban agriculture. Our programs empower people of all ages, income levels, and abilities by connecting them with their local food system, each other, and the environment. Our organization values the diverse skills and individuals that come together to create a thriving community and workplace. We are committed to the work we do, and bring our best selves each day, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously, have fun, and enjoy the process of doing good in our community. We take care of each other and put people at the center of everything we do.CRAFT Member Farm? No
Internship Starts: 5/12/25
Internship Ends: 8/15/25
Number of Internship Available: 1
Application Deadline: 2/28/25
Minimum Length of Stay: 3 months
Internship Details:
Summer Season 2025
May 12th, 2025 – August 15th, 2025
Reports to: CSA Manager
Job Status: Seasonal Intern, 24 hours per week
Compensation: $1,375 stipend, qualifies for credit at the university level
Location: Boulder, CO
The Summer Organic Farming Intern will work in all operations on the Boulder farm, will work extensively with the Cultiva youth leaders, and must have both the ability and desire to mentor and engage with young people. The Organic Farming Internship is fast paced and requires a great deal of hard work, focus, and care. It is also deeply rewarding.
Farm Intern Duties
- Assist the Farm Coordinator and growing staff in all aspects of farm operation
- Operation and maintenance of tools and equipment.
- Installation and operation of irrigation systems.
- Bed preparation and planting.
- Seeding, transplanting, thinning, and fertilizing seedlings.
- Cultivation and weeding.
- Pest and disease management.
- Harvesting, washing, and packing of crops for CSA, Farm Stand, wholesale accounts, and donations.
- Cover cropping
- Maintenance of grounds and site infrastructure.
- Record-keeping
- Assist, teach, and oversee diverse populations with greenhouse, wash station, and field related tasks
- Assist with CSA pickups, Farm Stand, and gleaning at the Boulder County Farmers Market. (this requires some evening hours)
Structure of Internship
- Internship duration is May 12th– August 15th, 2025
- Total stipend amount is $1,375, half paid in June, the other half paid at the end of the internship.
- Intern position is 24 hours per week. *Note: hours may vary between weeks; however the average number of hours per week will be 24 hours. Hours primarily take place during the week, however there is some required evening/weekend work
- Intern must attend orientation Monday, May 12th from 8:30AM-1:00PM.
- Intern will be working closely with a mentor from GG staff who will oversee all daily activities; an intern supervisor is available upon request for meetings and provides general oversight of Growing Gardens’ internship program
- Interns will have the opportunity to meet with Growing Gardens staff to learn about various roles within the organization
- Learning Objectives Contract – Developed within the first month of internship. This includes: position description, educational objectives, learning activities, and skill development
- Evaluation – A midpoint evaluation and end of internship evaluation will include intern self-evaluation, supervisor, and mentor evaluation
Benefits of Interning with Growing Gardens
- Your own weekly share ($20-$25 value) of fresh seasonal vegetables. each week from the garden June-October as the season permits.
- Experience working on a diversified vegetable farm
- Hands-on experience making a positive impact in the lives of children, teens, and adults
- Community connections and networking within the burgeoning local food movement
- Friendly, relaxed work environment
- Develop marketable leadership and management skills
- Opportunity to participate in various gardening classes
- All Growing Gardens internships qualify for University credit if desired by the intern
- Office is centrally located and easily accessed via public transportation
- Access to a wide variety of discounted organic seeds and plant starts including 50% off at our Plant Sale
- 50% off produce grown on our farm sold at the farm stand
Qualifications
- Farm or gardening experience desired but not required for this position
- Responsible, dedicated, and organized individual
- Strong work ethic and a passion for learning how to grow food and develop community
- Ability to work early morning and evening hours
- Ability to hustle and thrive under pressure
- Physically capable of manual tasks, including lifting 40 pounds
Growing Gardens prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment and will take affirmative measures to ensure against them, especially if they are carried out on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, neurodiversity, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation or political affiliation. This policy applies to all employees or potential employees, volunteers, participants, members of the Growing Gardens Board of Directors, people who serve on Growing Gardens’ committees, and anyone attending Growing Gardens’ events. This policy extends to all aspects of employment at Growing Gardens, including hiring, transfer, promotion, training, working conditions, policies, compensation, evaluation, discipline, and termination.
To apply:
Send resume and cover letter, that includes below information to Wes Vaughn: wesley@growinggardens.org Please include your name and “Summer Organic Farming Internship” in the subject line.
Applications due February 28th, 2025 but the position will remain open until filled.
In your cover letter, please include:
- Any previous volunteer and/or work in an agricultural setting
- What assets and skills you would bring to our team
- What you hope to gain from this internship
- What days of the week and times you are available for this 24 hour/week internship.
Educational Opportunities: Many opportunities to learn the operations of an organic mixed vegetable farm.
Skills Desired: ● Farm or gardening experience desired but not required for this position ● Responsible, dedicated, and organized individual ● Strong work ethic and a passion for learning how to grow food and develop community ● Ability to work early morning and evening hours ● Ability to hustle and thrive under pressure ● Physically capable of manual tasks, including lifting 40 pounds
Meals: No
Stipend: $1375 stipend
Housing: No
Preferred method of Contact: Email