Plenty! Farm
Last Updated On: November 1st, 2023 at 01:36PM MST
Contact information
Farm Address:192 Elephant Curve RD., NW
Floyd, Virginia, 24091
Primary Contact: Mark Hammes
Secondary Contact: Mark Hammes
Primary Phone:
Type: Cell
Number: 703 216 1123
Email: plentyfarmer@swva.net
Secondary Phone
Type: -----
Number: (540) 745-3898
Email:
Website: https://www.plentylocal.org
Internship information
General Farm Description: Plenty! is a non-profit organization whose mission is to nourish community and preserve Floyd County traditions by growing and sharing food while enlivening the greater conversation about sustainable food practices. Plenty! Farm is home to the Plenty! Fresh Food Pantry as well as the center for several food sharing programs and educational gatherings. Plenty values freshness in programs and generosity in giving and receiving. Plenty! is a welcoming and inclusive community. The farm rotates 2 acres, a 2100 sq. ft. high tunnel and a small greenhouse through mixed annual and perennial vegetable and fruit production using organic management. (For more information about Plenty!, please visit www.plentylocal.org). Floyd is a creative community in the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering abundant recreational and cultural opportunities.CRAFT Member Farm? No
Internship Starts: May 4, 2023 (See Details)
Internship Ends: November 7, 2023 (See Details)
Number of Internship Available: 4
Application Deadline: Rolling
Minimum Length of Stay: 2 months
Internship Details:
Interested in sustainability and helping your neighbors?
Do you want to to have response-ability during crisis?
Plenty! nourishes community and preserves Floyd County traditions by
encouraging neighbors to grow and share food while enlivening the
broader conversation about sustainable food practices. Through our small
farm and food distribution facility, we are working to reduce food waste,
grow food sustainably, and to keep vital the Appalachian spirit of respecting
and helping our neighbors and the earth.
The small farm at Plenty! consists of two covered tunnel spaces, mixed
fields, fruit and nut tree plantings, and a maintained trail through
wooded areas and along the Little River. The farm uses sustainable
and regenerative practices to produce food for our pantry and our food
delivery program.
Volunteers deliver our produce to the
doorsteps of members of the community that
cannot make it to the pantry. Not only
providing much appreciated food, but also
maintaining a vital social link for those with
less mobility in our beautiful rural county.
Through volunteer and community events, Plenty! also serves as a
space to foster good agricultural and eating practices.
Plenty! is currently accepting applicants for our Civic Agriculture
Internship. This position is ideal for someone who is interested, but not
yet experienced in farming and food security.
The focus of this internship will be learning through participating in the
daily workings of high density regenerative vegetable growing. This
includes the basics of growing, tending, harvesting, seed saving of
annuals, and fruit bearing perennials.
Although the focus of this internship is developing basic healthy farming practices, we will also
cover forest and watershed management, land history, and many other
topics that tie into our practices as people on the land.
Farming experience is not required. Ability to work outdoors in all
conditions and a strong work ethic are a must. You will come away
more knowledgeable, capable, and confident in working with your
hands, producing food, and having purpose.
Sessions available: May 4 – June 22, June 27- Aug 24, Sept 5 – Nov 7
Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am – 2pm
Minimum commitment is one session. In person interview and
references are required.
Please Contact: plentyfarmer@swva.net, visit https://plentylocal.org
No housing or financial compensation available
Educational Opportunities: Educational opportunities: Interns' primary focus will be the farm, but there are many opportunities to learn and participate in initiatives to reduce food waste and increase access to food for all people. Interns will gain beginning-level knowledge and skills for small scale sustainable agriculture. Interns will gain experience and perspectives on other scales and approaches to agriculture through visits to area farms for gleaning and other activities. Interns will explore ideas and practices related to food access, food sovereignty and diverting food waste. They will have hands on involvement in community level strategies for diverting food waste for hunger relief, educating for food and growing skills and food sovereignty. This Internship is structured to maximize benefits to both the farm and the interns. The hours, duration, and rich learning experience is designed to deliver a good experience for the interns and to minimize all-to-common farm intern burn out.
Skills Desired: Skills desired: Interns are expected to have some knowledge of organic farming / sustainable agriculture but no prior experience is necessary. A strong interest in food production as it relates to food security, nutrition access and community building is preferable. Interns need to be friendly, have strong communication skills, be willing to interact with the public, and work with volunteers of all ages and abilities. Interns must possess a valid driver’s license and a good driving record. Interns must be able to lift 50 pounds.
Meals: Food: Produce from the farm is available. Interns are encouraged to use the food pantry as needed. Interns may use the kitchen facility at the farm when they are onsite as operations permit.
Stipend: Stipend: This is an unpaid internship.
Housing: Housing: No housing is provided. Personal transportation required for travel to and from off site local housing.
Preferred method of Contact: email