Position Title: Sustainable Farm Education Intern
Program: Salmon Center Community Farm and Learning Center
Dates Available: Spring & Summer 2019
Application Deadline: Continuous until filled
Location: Belfair, WA

Summary:

The Salmon Center is home to the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group and Farm at Water’s Edge. The Center’s mission is to protect and restore wild salmon ecosystems in the Hood Canal Watershed through restoration, research, education and stewardship. The Salmon Center restores salmon habitat through  invasive plant removal, native plant propagation, fish passage barrier removal, instream habitat improvements, and large scale estuary restoration projects. More information available at www.pnwsalmoncenter.org.

The Salmon Center is a 38 acre non-profit community farm and learning center providing healthy, affordable produce and educational programs to all members of the community. The Center is located at a historic site on the shores of Hood Canal where a portion of the land has been restored to native estuary in an effort to improve salmon habitat. Interns will have to opportunity to be involved with sustainable agriculture projects and develop education programs to fit the needs of the community.

The Center currently has 1 acre in Certified Organic vegetable production, a community P-Patch and U-pick community gardens, as well as alpacas, chickens and goats as part of our 4-H programs. Farm Interns will assist the Center’s AmeriCorps member in day to day operations on the farm, education programming and spring/summer crops. They will gain valuable hands-on experience and knowledge in organic vegetable production, community engagement, livestock care and non-profit management. In addition to hands-on learning opportunities, interns may also participate classroom-type education opportunities on topics such as organic gardening, composting, cover cropping, plant pathology and soil science.

Eligibility:

  • Must be an enrolled in college, university, or certificate program
  • Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
  • Must be able to work some evening hours
  • Must enjoy farm and gardening!

Terms of Employment:

Project Duration – Ongoing during Spring and Summer months
Start/End Date – Flexible, Minimum 1 month commitment
Hours per week – 10-40
Pay – See Stipend Rate Sheet (attached), also Organic Vegetables as available from the garden
Credits – Students may receive academic credit from their institution

Responsibilities/Tasks:

  • Starting summer vegetables in the Salmon Center greenhouse
  • Planting, weeding, seeding, and harvesting vegetables and flowers
  • Marketing and selling produce and eggs at Salmon Center’s U-Pick Garden
  • Assisting in the care of alpacas, chickens, rabbits and goats
  • Assisting with design and instruction for children’s farm programs, including field trips, farm tours, day camps, and classes
  • Assisting with construction and building projects including compost facility, irrigation system and chicken tractors

Desirable Skills/Qualifications:
Student must be:

  • A dependable individual, capable of working independently and leading volunteers and work crews
  • Detail oriented, a positive attitude, and excellent communication/people skills
  • Able to work in a physically demanding environment in all weather conditions
  • Previous garden and/or farm experience preferred but not required

To Apply: Please submit a letter of interest, a current resume, and an unofficial transcript to Travis Casey at travis@pnwsalmoncenter.org. Questions and comments may also be directed to this address or by calling (360) 275-3575 Extension 114.

Salmon Center internships are available to students enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or continuing education program where they receive school credits and monetary stipend for their time. Internship opportunities have flexible time commitments along with corresponding credit hours and stipends. Students must coordinate with their school or advisor in advance to ensure they receive school credit for their internship. Stipends are awarded upon completion of hours.

Time Commitment Stipend
(based on a 10 week quarter)
100 hours; ~ 10 hrs/week $250.00
200 hours; ~ 20 hrs/week $500.00
300 hours; ~ 30 hrs/week $750.00
400 hours; ~ 40 hrs/week $1000.00

Stipends will be distributed in two installments upon the completion of committed contract hours. The first payment will be distributed at midterm (of internship) and the last payment will be distributed at end of term.*

*Start and end dates of projects may not necessarily coincide with quarterly school schedules. Start and end dates and/or weekly hour commitment for internships are negotiable but must be determined before work commences.