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This job expired on April 09, 2019

Volunteer Education and Farm Intern Red Wiggler Community Farm

  • Date Posted February 08, 2019
  • Location Germantown, MD
  • Category Agriculture / Education
  • Job type Internship/Apprentice
Company description Red Wiggler Community Farm (a recognized 501c3 non-profit) is located in Montgomery County, Maryland. Founded in 1996, Red Wiggler’s main tenet is to provide gainful employment for adults with developmental disabilities through a unique horticulture program that uses organic agricultural practices. The bulk of this program focuses on building a vocational structure that identifies and builds on the capabilities of our clients with developmental disabilities. We call our clients “growers”. We assign the growers farm tasks based on their individual abilities which are nurtured by our staff. Our growers cultivate vegetables on seven acres, and then sell or donate this produce to a diverse population. Internship description Red Wiggler is seeking a Volunteer Intern to assist both with visiting educational groups as well as in the field on our 12-acre organic vegetable farm in Germantown, MD, where people with and without disabilities come together to work, learn and grow healthy food.

Description of Education Portion: This individual will assist the Education and CSA Program Coordinator with field trips attended by individuals, of all ages, many of which have developmental disabilities. Field trips are hands on and involve exploring the fields, cooking activities, and other activities related to environmental stewardship. Other tasks include: assisting with the maintenance and development of the Discovery Garden, assisting with interpretive signs around the farm, incorporating Red Wiggler growers (persons with disabilities that work at the farm) into tours and activities, writing portions of our weekly CSA newsletter & entries for our “Farm Notes” blog.

Time allocation: May & June = 20hrs/week, July & August = as needed, at least 10hrs/week.

Description of Field portion: With the remaining hours, this individual will assist farmworkers with disabilities in everyday farm tasks, including planting, harvesting, composting, weeding, pest management, and some CSA and Farmer’s Market staffing, and assisting with events while keeping a positive attitude and maintaining a healthy and inclusive work environment.

Time Frame: A minimum of 12 weeks between April 2019 and November 2019, with availability between 8a.m. to 4p.m., Monday through Friday. There is some flexibility in the schedule (which may impact stipend), but we have found that interns who volunteer five days get a more well-rounded experience at Red Wiggler. Please know that for this position, the months of May & June are when we have the heaviest need. Preference will be given to applicants who can volunteer for more than 12 weeks. Great for college and graduate students!

Compensation: $390/month stipend to cover expenses incurred during internship. Interns will receive farm-grown vegetables every week May-November.

Qualifications: 
  • Interest in working with youth and adults with developmental disabilities
  • Interest in farm-based education & sustainable agriculture
  • Able to keep a positive attitude!
  • Able to work in a team as well as independently
  • Dependable
  • Comfortable leading tours and working with volunteer groups
  • Able to perform demanding physical labor
  • Ready to work outdoors in all weather

Training: No prior farm experience or knowledge is necessary, only a desire to learn and a proactive attitude.

Red Wiggler Staff and Growers will provide training in areas of farm-based education and organic vegetable farming, including: Seed-starting, planting, weeding, irrigating, organic pest management, organic nutrient management, use and care of hand tools, record-keeping, harvesting, and post-harvest distribution.

In addition to this largely hands-on training and education, we participate in the Chesapeake Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) programs. Interns are strongly encouraged to participate theses trainings which provide learning and networking opportunities with area farmers and educators. We also offer monthly on-farm seminars on topics of interns’ choosing. Opportunities are available for interns to work on an independent project, with the help of Red Wiggler staff and grower(s). This project would be designed to benefit both the intern and Red Wiggler.
  Compensation this position is : stipend / non-monetary compensation
Application instructions
This job expired on April 09, 2019
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