Company description

Living Hope Farm is a Certified Naturally Grown produce farm nestled in the rolling hills of Harleysville in South Eastern Pennsylvania about 40 minutes north of Philadelphia. The farm is located in a lush pastoral area dotted with historical homes and barns, with access to extensive natural areas. We grow a wide diversity of vegetables, fruits and herbs on more than eight acres of vegetable beds. We produce vegetables in the summer and winter, strawberries in the spring, and eggs and poultry year round. We distribute food to the community through a 270+ member Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), and we also serve farmers markets, wholesale customers, and food pantries.

In addition to growing healthy food for the community, we work to preserve the land, promote good eating, and help to train the next generation of farmers. At Living Hope Farm, we are committed to maintaining connections between the well-being of people and the land through sustainable agriculture. As part of our mission, we provide good food to under-served communities in our local Philadelphia area by donating to food banks and other nonprofits, working directly with families, and providing on-farm learning experiences for people in the community.

Internship description

Full-season and summer interns

Living Hope Farm is seeking interns to work and learn with us during the 2019 season. Living Hope is a non-profit, Certified Naturally Grown farm in Harleysville, PA, about 25 miles from Philadelphia. We produce a diversity of vegetables in the summer and winter, strawberries in the spring, and eggs and poultry year-round. We distribute food to the community through our CSA, farmers’ markets, and food pantries. We are looking for beginning farmers with some prior growing experience and a strong desire to learn. The internships provide a chance to gain experience with all aspects of our operation during the summer season.

Candidates must have some experience growing vegetables and a strong interest in farming.

Our General Philosophy:

Living Hope Farm is committed to creating the best working and learning environment possible. We strive to care for the individual as well as the land, and to incorporate a diversity of people into the work and community of our farm. This is a true “hands on” internship program with the goal of training interns to become future farmers. We work hard, but we try to work intelligently and efficiently. And we all take part in caring for the land and maintaining an environment in which every person is acknowledged and respected.

Our work ethic:

Farming is not a 9 to 5 job. Farmers must respond to the demands of their environment and the needs of their crops and their customers. Because the weather is never predictable (and neither are crop pests!) we do not always know in advance what will be required of us. As a farm intern you will need to do what it takes to care for our crops and meet the needs of our members, even when it means working long hours. That said, we try our best to make your working hours humane and give you time to relax and pursue your own interests. Your work time will not usually exceed 50 hours per week, but there will be some exceptions

Scope of the internship:

Interns will take part in all farm operations including seeding, transplanting, greenhouse production, field preparation, cultivation, careful efficient harvesting for maximum crop quality, washing and packing for customers, distribution of produce, and interaction with customers and volunteers. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the workings of a small farm. Primary tractor work will be done by the field manager, but you will have the opportunity to learn the operation and functions of the tractor implements. You will also gain a greater understanding of soil fertility, composting, crop rotation, cover cropping, disease and insect control.

Pay: commensurate with experience. On-farm lodging is available.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, under $15/hr

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline