Garden Programs Intern
The Birdhouse Farmers Market and Community Garden is seeking an enthusiastic student with a passion for community, growing food, and working with children for an internship this season. The intern position will support BFM Staff, volunteers, as well as the Garden Operations Intern. This internship is open to all students, but will give priority to those interested in agriculture and childhood to adolescent education. This internship will run from April - November to allow for students to experience an entire growing season in the garden. Birdhouse Farmers Market is happy to work with students seeking college credit for internship opportunities and may provide a financial stipend depending on need and completion of tasks.
With this internship, you will have the opportunity to work with BFM Staff, other interns, and children in an outdoor, educational environment as well as completing an independent research project that aligns with the work from the internship program and your individual field of study.
Reporting to BFM Staff, the intern will assist with daily garden maintenance, planning and implementing weekly student work days, assisting with Community Work Days, as well as completing an independent project throughout the duration of the internship program. BCG is located in Petronius Jones Park and students must be able to provide their own transportation to the site.
Interns may work up to 20 hours per week at most. Students must maintain a consistent weekly schedule, but can create their schedule around class meeting times and other commitments. Candidates must have at least 1 afternoon a week, excluding Tuesday, available so that they can lead weekly student work days.
Responsibilities:
Work with Garden Operations Intern to ensure plans coincide with each other
Attend BCG Work Days
Assisting BFM staff with running the children’s programming:
Planning
Prepping
Implementation
Cleanup
Manage the garden students at market while they are set up to sell their plant starts
Researching/planning garden workshops
Complete independent research project
Assist garden operations intern with weekly garden maintenance such as:
Greenhouse vent management
Garden Watering
Weeding
Skills and Qualifications:
A passion for community, growing food, and working with children
An interest in community gardens, urban green spaces, and outdoor education programs
Familiarity with some or all of the following topics is preferred:
Basic plant science
Basic garden maintenance activities
Growing seasonally-appropriate produce
Lesson Planning and implementation
Willingness to learn new skills and information related to the position’s responsibilities
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
Able to lift and carry gardening equipment, tools, and produce bins
Able to work outside for extended periods of time - up to 5 hours per session - including during hot and/or humid and/or rainy days.
Able to sit, squat, stand and perform other physical tasks associated with outdoor work
Must pass background check
Learning Objectives:
Intern will plan and implement weekly garden lessons for a group of 15 elementary school aged students with guidance and oversight from BFM staff.
Intern will gain experience with lesson plan writing and implementation.
Intern will work closely with BFM Staff, Volunteers, and other Interns to maintain a consistent and manageable garden chore schedule
Intern will gain experience with the behind the scenes processes of running a community garden.
Intern will gain skills in greenhouse and garden management throughout varying weather conditions.
Intern will gain skills both working independently and as part of a team.
Time Requirement: 15 - 20 hours per week is expected. The hours will be split between planning time (at home) and onsite hours during lesson time.
Compensation: BFM is happy to work with students seeking college credit for internships. Arrangements to receive college credit must be made by the student, working with their advisor to ensure all details are sorted out before beginning the internship. There is a stipend available based on student need and educational program requirements.