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The ¡Cultiva! Youth Project involves teenagers in organic gardening as a means to teach diverse youth sustainable agriculture, leadership, entrepreneurial and life skills. ¡Cultiva! youth manage a one-acre organic garden and 18 bee colonies, learn to grow, prepare and eat nutritious food, and in the process create physical activities for better overall health. They broaden their social horizons by interacting with adults and their peers with diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and serve as role models by teaching children in the Children’s Peace Garden. The youth market and sell their fresh produce and bee products at the Farmers Market and give back to their community by donating a portion of what they grow to those in need and participating in youth implemented community service activities.
Spring Cultiva! Market Garden Intern
This internship will provide instruction and practical experience in organic/biodynamic farming principles, and all aspects of market garden operation. Interns will work with their mentor, other Growing Gardens staff, volunteers, and the ¡Cultiva! youth in garden planning, field and greenhouse work, and running the ¡Cultiva! stand at the Boulder County Farmers’ Market. It is expected that interns will be able to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, handle physical labor, and be able to work effectively with a wide variety of people.
Job duties
- Learn about organic and biodynamic gardening and its required skills.
- Help to maintain the overwintered and spring crops in Cultiva’s one-acre market garden.
- Sow and transplant spring field crops and greenhouse crops.
- Sow and transplant seedlings for sale at market.
- Help with harvesting of spring crops and organizing seedlings for market on Wednesdays and Fridays.
- Oversee the Farmers’ Market stand for a set schedule of Wednesday evenings (2-9pm) and Saturdays (6am-3pm).
- Manage the ¡Cultiva! Farmers’ Market gleaning program.
- Help develop new garden projects and community service projects for 2010.
- Compile and update field and greenhouse harvest and market records.
- Independent study of a self-selected agriculture topic for use in a self-directed garden project and presentation to the ¡Cultiva! youth.
Knowledge and Skills the Intern May Acquire
- Garden planning
- Spring field preparation
- Greenhouse operation
- Compost making
- Sowing and transplanting
- Plant care
- Vegetable harvesting
- Farm Market planning and preparation
- Farm Market stand operation
- Communication skills
- The ability to work in a team environment
- Skills in Microsoft Excel
- Research and analytical skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Presentation skills
Structure of Internship
- Internship duration is February 15 – May 15
- Intern position is 20 hours per week.
- Intern will be working closely with a Mentor from Growing Gardens’ staff who will oversee all daily activities.
- Orientation meeting with all GG interns, mentor, intern supervisor and additional GG staff.
- Interns will meet with GG supervisor every other week for the duration of the contract.
- Interns will report at Staff Meetings once per month -3 total.
- Interns will have the opportunity to shadow other GG staff to learn about each program.
- Work learning plan- Developed by second week of internship- will include: 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
- Hands-on experience making a positive impact in the lives of teens
- Friendly, relaxed environment
- Good experience; develops marketable skills
- Classroom training offered through Intro to Organic Gardening class
- Possibility of related field trips for enhanced educational opportunities
- Fresh, organic, delicious veggies to take home every week
- Access to a wide variety of organic seeds
- Garden is located with easy access to public transportation
We are looking for someone who enjoys working with teens, adults and children. No experience in gardening is required, but the intern should enjoy working outdoors and be able to serve as a mature, healthy role model for teens. Our staff and youth enjoy their time together in the garden and we’d love for someone with a sense of humor to join us while we have fun and do good work.
To apply:
Send completed application and updated resume to Ben Turner at
.
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