Garden Intern, Summer/Fall

The Youth Garden Project is a non-profit organization in Moab, UT. Our mission is to cultivate healthy children, families, and community through educational programs and the profound act of connecting people with food from seed to table. 

Internship Overview

Garden interns will have the opportunity to learn organic gardening techniques and skills while working in a combined production and education garden.

Interns are expected to make a 6-month commitment: from May 23, 2017 – November 17, 2017. Interns work 40-hours a week with occasional exceptions for special community events.

Education Opportunities:

• Build experience in organic gardening
• Learn how to preserve produce
• Take part in a local food system and participate in place-based learning
• Gain experience providing food for yourself in a small garden plot
• Meet local agriculture, horticulture, and herbal medicine experts
• Create opportunities to connect children with gardens, food, and community
• Develop community events
• And more!

Responsibilities 

• Participate in field work: planting (direct seeding and transplanting), harvesting, weeding, bed prep and soil amending, mulching, cover cropping
• Plan for and implement fall plant sale
• Germinate seeds and propagate plants in our greenhouse
• Learn about irrigation systems
• Harvest and preserve produce
• Harvest garlic in the spring, plant garlic in the fall
• Learn about and experience organic pest control
• Maintain a bin composting system
• Save seeds
• Prepare for and implement the CSA share program
• Use a hoop house, greenhouse, and grow dome for season extension
• Work intermittently with programs to incorporate children into the garden
• Facilitate community volunteer groups
• Perform general site maintenance
• Care for animals (chickens, cats, rabbits)
• Winterize garden & animals
• Overwinter crops
• Work at community events: Farmers’ Markets, Weed-n-Feeds, Garden Dinners, etc.
• Plan and advertise for events: plant sales, fundraisers, potlucks, etc. 

Qualifications

Skills Desired:

• We seek individuals interested in and eager to learn the process of taking food from seed to table.
• No previous gardening experience is necessary.
• We expect interns to be able and willing to work hard.
• Applicants should possess a strong work ethic, positive attitude, communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and be in good physical condition.
• We expect interns to be reliable, responsible and capable of self-directed work.
• Candidate must also be a team player, be flexible, and be willing to be involved beyond garden work to occasionally help with programs and special events.
• A valid driver’s license and clean driving record are strongly preferred.
• Minimum Age Requirement: 21

Compensation:

• Each intern will receive a stipend of $400/month. First and last month’s stipend will be pro-rated based on days worked.
• The Youth Garden Project will provide housing. Interns may move in the weekend before the internship begins, and move out by the Monday following the close of the internship. Any extended stay beyond these times must be approved by the Associate Director.
• Interns will have access to YGP pro deals.
• Interns will be provided with space at their house to garden for supplemental food supply and learning experience. YGP will provide seeds, plant starts, tools, irrigation, etc.
• When YGP is in peak harvest season, the intern household will receive a box of produce each week.

To Apply

Please e-mail a cover letter and resume to Sarah Perez-Sanz and please specify the internship session for which you are applying.