FRESH Program 2020 spring internship announcement
Applications will be considered as received
Start date: flexible, no later than March 30th.
End date: 10 weeks or June 15th.
Time Commitment: (10-20 hrs/wk with a minimum 10 week commitment)
This is an unpaid learning opportunity in small-scale agriculture and farm-based education.
F.R.E.S.H (Farm Rooted Education for Sustainability and Health)is a GRuB-inspired program for youth to gain high school credits, job skills, and people skills while working on a small farm at Isabella Bush Park, 1436 Linwood Avenue in Tumwater. The purpose of the program is to engage youth in environmental stewardship and farming, and to increase their successful engagement in high school and future employment opportunities. The food we grow goes to school cafeterias, the Thurston County Food Bank, and the Tumwater senior center, as well as to our students’ families. During the school year, students enrolled in the program will spend afternoons on the farm or in a classroom or greenhouses while learning sustainable agriculture, civics, science and employability and leadership skills.
Position Description
The spring intern supports the FRESH staff and youth crew in waking up the farm during the busiest season of the year. Responsibilities may include farm work such as preparing fields for planting, transplanting and seeding crops, invasive removal, and harvesting or greenhouse work to prepare for our plant sale and farm season. Some of this work will be self-directed (with instruction from staff) in order to keep farm priorities on track outside of class time and during the week-long plant sale when class will be offsite. The ideal candidate will be able to overlap with our on farm class time 1 day a week. Class runs from 11:35 am to 3:45 pm on Monday through Thursday and Fridays 11 am to 12:30. During class time the intern may be asked to support youth-led work teams in completing essential farm projects. While fulfilling these responsibilities, the spring intern is expected to consistently model good communication, healthy boundaries, work ethic and positive attitude to the youth crew.
Qualifications
Strong verbal communication skills
Good time management and reliability
Agricultural experience preferred
Motivated to work hard rain or shine
Ability to work well on a team and independently with guidance as needed
Experience or interest in working with high school aged youth
Ability to pass a Tumwater School District background check for working with youth
To Apply
Please submit the following tokristen.maring@tumwater.k12.wa.us
●Letter describing your interest, relevant experience and how this internship would support your goals.
●A resume
●2 references (at least one from an employer)