Snowgrass Farm – Internships

Last Updated On: January 16th, 2024 at 11:26AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
18287 Little Chumstick Creek Road
Leavenworth, Washington, 98826

Primary Contact: Jenny Bourgeois
Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 5094701790
    Email: snowgrassfarm@gmail.com

Website: https://www.snowgrassfarm.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: We’re a small farm: 2 acres of diversified crops tucked between two forested ridges on P'Squosa land, surrounded by pure Pacific Northwest nature. We utilize certified organic farming methods, various permaculture concepts and selective minimal tillage practices to help regenerate and build healthy soils and nutritional crops. Through an ecologically focused stewardship approach, we enhance biodiversity through diverse perennial plantings and hedgerows, wildlife habitat development, and responsible weed management that help achieve a highly diversified farm environment. The resulting healthy ecosystem provides incredibly nutritious and flavorful produce.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: 04/01/2024
Internship Ends: 10/31/2024
Number of Internship Available: 1-2
Application Deadline: March 1st
Minimum Length of Stay: 5 months, ideally 7 months

Internship Details:

The Snowgrass Farm internship will offer a healthy and varied learning environment that balances physical work, farm techniques and theory, educational discussions and off-farm experiences to provide a well rounded perspective of a small farm/market garden operation. This 2024 season we are able to host 1-2 interns, 1 person if solo or 2 people if they are a couple (due to housing constraints). Snowgrass is a 1.83 acre diversified vegetable operation located 11 miles from downtown Leavenworth WA. We grow intensively from April through October when there is no snow on the ground. We have three greenhouses and a propagation house along with a u-pick berry patch. We have a 120 member CSA and currently sell at two farmers markets and a once-a-week farm stand on site along with several local grocers and restaurants.

Work days will typically begin around 7:00am-8:00am depending on the season and duties performed throughout the day will include:

• Bed prep/field prep for planting

• Planting: greenhouse seeding, transplanting, direct seeding

• Irrigation – greenhouse and field, setting up irrigation and maintenance

• Cultivating and harvesting crops

• Washing and packing produce

• Engaging with customers

Interns will also have the opportunity to work at farmers markets (2 per month required however more if interested) and may help with restaurant and wholesale sales and deliveries.

In addition to learning the above skills I am committed to the internship to create a supportive, comfortable and enjoyable learning environment while taking time to teach, demonstrate and share knowledge. I will help you achieve any farming goals and interests while being open to new ideas, questions, suggestions and constructive feedback through clear communication and regular check-ins. This position will be very different from our employee positions as we want you to experience farming without the full pressures of what employees feel. You will not be taken advantage of as cheap labor, however we will hold you accountable for being present, reliable, interested, enthusiastic and willing to take initiative.

The start and end dates of the internship can be flexible if interns are currently in school, however we recommend committing to the entire time to get a full farming perspective.

Leavenworth is a beautiful area to be in with tons of hiking, climbing, rafting, river exploration, lakes and more. We do recommend you have a vehicle in order to better explore the area. Unfortunately we do not allow dogs.

If interested, email resume and letter of interest to snowgrassfarm@gmail.com with the subject heading “Internship 2024.” Applications due February 29th, 2024.

• In your letter of interest please include:

  • Why you want to work at Snowgrass Farm

  • What are your personal and farming goals for the season

  • What you feel you can add to Snowgrass Farm

  • Please describe any previous farming experiences and responsibilities you’ve had in those positions

  • For internships: Explain why you are interested in farming and what you hope to learn

  • Include 2 references and their contact information

Email us with questions: snowgrassfarm@gmail.com

Educational Opportunities: Educational materials of various farming methods and theories including: no-till vs tillage, soil health, foliar and soil amendment applications, CSA history and practice, small vs large farming operations, weed management techniques and more. Readings will be offered monthly on the academic work being done around these subjects We will also provide off-farm work experiences, such as working with our local gleaning program and food bank (during your weekly hours). Once or twice a month interns will have the opportunity to go visit another local farm for the day and help them with their day to day operations. This schedule will be organized at the beginning of the season and will count toward your weekly hours. If there are any pertinent field days offered from various educational organizations, non-profits or other farms this may also be available.

Skills Desired: For this internship no experience is necessary however we expect the following: - Upbeat, positive attitude - On time and ready to work at start time - Organized and efficient - Maintain a clean work environment - Clean, sharpen and put away all tools at the end of a shift - Ask questions, take initiative - Able to lift 50 lbs comfortably and regularly; maintain fitness, stamina and strength needed for completion of daily tasks - Actively engage in educational projects and complete readings

Meals: All food from the farm is available for interns as well as a $50/mo./person "dry goods" stipend to be purchased at the beginning of each month from https://www.azurestandard.com/

Stipend: $400/mo.

Housing: A small rustic travel trailer large enough for a single person or couple with a separate bathroom and shower is available. Trailer components include a small/medium size fridge, range, table and bed, some storage space, cold water, electric heater, wood stove, portable fan, internet and small deck.

Preferred method of Contact: Email