Summer Urban Farm Internship
Description
The Summer Intern for a non-profit urban farm in Carmel, Indiana, Fields Market Garden. The Summer Intern, a passionate hands-on position, will execute various functions of the farm, including caring for plants, interacting with customers, and working closely with volunteers and fellow 1099 contractors with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD).
About Fields Market Garden
Honoring Don and Betty Fields, Fields Market Garden grew from a vision to pay homage to the couple’s 60 years as community activists who reached some of the most under-served in Hamilton County. Fields Market Garden’s mission is to cultivate a thriving and inclusive urban garden that nourishes the community through food and beauty. We grow high-quality produce, foster paid work opportunities for our nearby neighbors at North End with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD), and provide fresh, locally sourced ingredients to area residents and businesses. Along with work opportunities, we also offer engagement and educational opportunities for our community including workshops, field trips, garden tours, and open house events.
From a value’s perspective, Fields Market Garden strives to operate with climate change, ecology, conservation, soil health, organic and regenerative principles, and productivity. The Summer Intern will assist and report to the Urban Farmer.
Examples of Duties
- Perform a variety of agricultural and maintenance tasks to ensure efficient operation of farm (e.g. starting seeds, transplanting, pulling weeds, moving compost with wheelbarrows and shovels, cutting flowers, harvesting vegetables, arranging flower bouquets, packaging flowers or vegetables, etc.)
- Work closely alongside volunteers and fellow 1099 contractors with ID/DD, guiding them to stay on task or make an adjustment to complete the task effectively.
- Maintain work spaces around the farm including keeping tools, equipment, and work surfaces clean and organized
- Assist Urban Farmer in conducting hands on activities for the public as well as educational programs for the farm
- Contribute to creating content for our social media, website, and newsletter
Minimum Qualifications
- Interest in gardening
- Beginning level agricultural knowledge and hands on experience
- Willingness to work outdoors in all, safe but divergent weather conditions
- Open and positive communication skills
- Willingness to work closely and patiently with community members with ID/DD
Essential Knowledge, Skills And Abilities:
- Willingness to work with others
- Ability to follow instructions and offer ideas for improvement
- Ability to take feedback in stride and see it as a part of a healthy work environment
- Ability to recognize safety hazards
- Ability to bend, kneel, walk on uneven terrain, lift up to 25 lbs
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, volunteers, supervisors, vendors, other professionals, and the general public
- Candidate must satisfactorily complete a background investigation
- Possess enthusiasm for education and farming, working directly with the general public
- Desire to learn, innovate, and experiment in the garden
Essential Physical Demands And Working Environment:
- While performing the duties of this job, the Summer Intern is regularly required to stand, walk (often on uneven terrain), communicate effectively, and actively listen. The contractor frequently is required to use hands and fingers, handle or feel, and is required to reach with hands and arms. The contractor is required to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, taste or smell.
- While performing the duties of this job, the Farm Hand is regularly exposed to extreme outside weather conditions including temperature, humid and wet conditions, fumes or airborne particles, and confined spaces.
- The Summer Intern will exercise strong communication skills and interpretive planning in order to integrate area residents in understanding local ecology and appreciating the land as a platform for connection and contemplation, rather than just production. Thereby leaving space for collaboration with other entities.
Compensation & Schedule:
- $12/hour
- Take home ‘seconds’ flowers and vegetables
- This position is a 1099 contractor for Fields Market Garden and must provide proof of insurance
- This is a seasonal position starting in May (flexible based on school schedule) and will meet at FMG Tuesdays 8:45am-4pm (45 minute break for lunch) and Fridays 9am-12pm. This position ends in August or according to school schedule.
- There will be opportunity for additional work hours helping with garden workshops or events throughout the summer on Thursday evenings 4-7pm
