Summer Intern

~ Narrow Ridge Earth Literacy Center is a nonprofit organization in northern Grainger County that was established in 1991 to study, teach and demonstrate an effort toward sustainable living. Narrow Ridge protects approximately 600 acres of rural land including over 150 acres of wilderness, 45 home sites, and our Natural Burial Preserve. ~

Narrow Ridge offers a variety of educational programs that include courses for academic credit, “green” workshops, organic gardening, Vision Fasts, and sustainable living and natural immersion experiences.

Our demonstration garden and orchard provide experiential learning opportunities and supply food for program guests. Ongoing community events at Narrow Ridge include music jams, film nights, yoga classes, silent meditation gatherings, solstice and equinox celebrations, community potlucks and our annual Hogskin History Day, which celebrates the beauty, history, culture and music of our area.

Our eco-lodges and rental cabins offer a rare opportunity to experience simplified living and a true sense of immersion in nature. All of our facilities are solar-powered and have waterless composting toilets and other eco-friendly features such as straw bale construction, rain water collection systems, and instantaneous hot water heaters.

Internship Overview

Narrow Ridge is seeking two enthusiastic summer interns to work 20-30 hours per week assisting with gardening and a variety of other grounds maintenance tasks.

Interns may apply as individuals or as a pair. The start and end dates of the internships are negotiable.

• Internship Starts: May 2017 (exact month and date negotiable)
• Internship Ends: September 2017 (exact month and date negotiable)
• Number of Interns: 2
• App Deadline: March 15
• Length of Stay: 4 - 6 Months (exact duration negotiable)
• Housing: Housing in a small, rustic, furnished two-bedroom cabin will be provided.
• Meals & Cooking Facilities:
  • Intern will have free access to all garden produce and/or fruit produced on site as well as some seasonally available foraged foods.
  • Intern housing includes a 2-burner stove and small refrigerator.

Responsibilities

Activities include but are not limited to:

• Orchard care;
• Trail maintenance;
• Building projects;
• Gardening;
• Canning produce;
• Event setup and takedown; and
• Other tasks related to the operation of an environmental education nonprofit.

Qualifications

Skills Desired:

• Gardening experience or previous farming experience is a plus, though not required.
• A genuine interest in and willingness to learn about small scale, sustainable food production is essential.
• Agriculture is one part of what we do here, so willingness to work on non-agriculture related projects as such needs arise is also essential.

Educational Opportunities

Interns will have the opportunity to learn about organic gardening and orchard care as well as food preservation. They will have the opportunity to learn about sustainable living as well as issues related to the operation of a small nonprofit. Interns will have opportunities to develop leadership skills through the supervision of onsite volunteers. Interns are encouraged to explore issues related to ecology and sustainability according to their interests.

Additionally, the internship provides an opportunity for considerable personal growth as well. This position requires self- motivation and self-reliance, yet also demands serving as part of an organizational team and community working toward common goals of resilience and sustainability. We are an off-grid community and strive to live as lightly on the land as possible.

Stipend: $25 per week plus housing.

To Apply

Please click below: "Apply" or call us to make contact.