Agriculture Supported Communities (ASC) Internship – Kutztown, PA
Organization: The Rodale Institute
Position Title: Agriculture Supported Communities Intern
Location: Kutztown, PA
Hours & Compensation: 40 hours/week. Housing, a seasonal produce share, and a modest food stipend provided.
Program Dates: April – November
Organization Overview:
For more than sixty years, we’ve been researching the best practices of organic agriculture and sharing our findings with farmers and scientists throughout the world, advocating for policies that support farmers, and educating consumers about how going organic is the healthiest option for people and the planet.
Our research
Our Farming Systems Trial® is the longest-running side-by-side U.S. study comparing conventional chemical agriculture with organic methods. What have we found? Organic yields match conventional and outperform them in years of drought and environmental distress. New areas of study include rates of carbon sequestration in chemical versus organic plots and new techniques for weed suppression.
Our outreach
From field days, to workshops, to exclusive online tools for farmers and original articles, Rodale Institute has been sharing our findings with farmers, scientists, policy-makers, gardeners and consumers the world over.
Description:
We are now accepting applications for Internship Positions in our Agriculture Supported Communities (ASC) Program for the 2013 growing season. The ASC Program is a modified farm share program offering affordable payment plans to make fresh, local, organic produce accessible to just about anyone in the community.
Internship participants will be trained and involved in every aspect of setting up, producing, and running a small local organic grower’s business. The ASC Program focuses on hands-on training in seed starting, greenhouse production & seasonal extensions, transplanting, pest & weed management, soil health, introduction to large equipment, harvesting, processing, marketing, customer relations, and working with community partners. In addition the internship program will follow a comprehensive curriculum exposing participants to additional training in business planning & marketing, nutrition education, and designing a crop plan.
The Rodale Institute is also a Mentor Farm in the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) Program of the Tri-State Area. Interns will be required to attend a series of 6 workshops throughout the season at participating partner farms to round out their educational experience.
Individuals who are serious about taking the next steps towards starting their own sustainable, organic growers business in their own communities should apply. Interns will graduate from the 8-month program (April – November) considered an Ambassador of the Rodale Institute and can expect a continued developing relationship with our organization.
Qualifications:
Applicants should have some farm/gardening experience, be able to lift up to 40 lbs, and expect to be working in seasonal environmental elements. Interns will receive housing, a seasonal produce share, and a modest food stipend in exchange for 40 hours per week. Individuals from urban areas are encouraged to apply (i.e. Philadelphia, Boston, WashingtonD.C., Baltimore, New York, etc).
How to Apply: Please send resume, cover letter and completed application to Cynthia James, Food Production Specialist at [email protected].
Contact Information:
The Rodale Institute, http://www.rodaleinstitute.org
611 Siegfiredale Road, Kutztown, PA 19530-9320
