Company description The Oak Spring Garden Foundation (OSGF) is a 501(c)3 private operating foundation based in Upperville, Virginia with a mission to perpetuate and share Rachel Lambert Mellon’s home, garden, estate and Library to serve the public interest. The Foundation is dedicated to inspiring and facilitating scholarship and public dialogue on the history and future of plants, including the culture of gardens and landscapes and the importance of plants for human well-being. For additional information, please visit www.osgf.org.

Summary of the Bio-Cultural Conservation Farm:

The Oak Spring estate is nestled in Upperville, Virginia which is uniquely located in the Virginia Piedmont, between the Blue Ridge and Bull Run mountains, and in the foothills of Appalachia (mapped here) - in the north-eastern fringe of a region rich in agro-biodiversity. Part of the goal of the BCCF is to highlight food crops that have been woven into the history and traditions of these regions - to not only grow these crops as food but to also save and share their seeds and stories.

The farm site is approximately 3 acres with a little less than 2 acres reserved for food and seed production. We are, and will be, using organic, no-spray and minimal-till practices. We are focused on building soil fertility through the use of rotational growing and cover crops, and minimizing the use of heavy equipment on our fields.

 

The main objectives for the farm are rooted in food production, conservation and education. Produce grown on the farm will supply OSGF’s onsite kitchen and will also be used to provide guests associated with our programming with nourishing, fresh vegetables during their stays. Excess produce will be donated to local food initiative in partnership with organizations tackling regional food security issues. Our goal is also to encourage sustainable farming and stimulate the maintenance of agrobiodiversity in our region.
 

Internship description

OSGF is now accepting applications for TWO - 2019/2020 Bio-Cultural Conservation Farm (BCCF) internship positions that will advance the mission of the Foundation.

Two interns will be appointed with different start dates.
 

Internship #1 - 14 months, full-time, beginning as early as September 1, 2019 and as late as March 15, 2020.

Internship #2 - 6 months, full-time, beginning approximately May 15, 2020.

Both internships will run until Thanksgiving 2020.

Please note your availability preference upfront in your cover letter.

Upperville, VA (housing provided, if needed); The Oak Spring estate is located in rural northern Virginia, 15 minutes from the nearest town. Having access to a car is desirable, but not essential.

 

Summary of Positions:

The BCCF Intern position provides a hands-on and practical farming experience in both annual and perennial production fields, greenhouses, agro-forestry plots and natural area settings. The BCCF interns will gain experience in a wide range of tasks, with some consideration given to the specific areas of interest and background of the successful candidate. 

 

The BCCF interns will receive opportunities to expand their experience in vegetable, fruit and herb production (both annual and perennial); greenhouse management and year-round food production; use of equipment for field preparation and site maintenance; weeding, pruning and harvesting; agro-forestry and edible food forest management; and food-related programming.

 

The BCCF interns will also have opportunities to interact with the world class Oak Spring Library and its historical holdings related to sustainable agriculture - and the landscape and trees team to develop an understanding of broader landscape management in the context of local ecology and wildlife, and the historic development of the Oak Spring property.

Responsibilities:

Work closely with the Bio-Cultural Conservation Farm (BCCF) Manager and team in all farm-related responsibilities to include:

 Proper care, treatment and ongoing maintenance of the production fields, production greenhouse, seed-saving garden, cold frames, appropriate trees and open spaces.

• Exercising proper care and treatment of seedlings and starts in greenhouse for transplanting out into the fields (sowing flats, watering, thinning seedlings, transplanting, observation and evaluation of plants’ overall health).
• Maintaining the production fields including watering, planting, weeding, pruning, deadheading, mulching and propagation of cultivated species.
• Plant, weed, harvest, wash, weigh, and deliver fruits and vegetables as needed, and engage with the on-site kitchen team to build awareness of the harvest, availability and use.
• Exercising proper techniques in harvesting, washing and packing of produce which differs between each crop type.
• Maintaining a clean and safe workspace within the BCCF Pack House (outdoor wash station, packing room and walk-in cooler), as well as the greenhouses. Maintenance to include: sweeping, mopping, power-washing floor, cleaning tabletop surfaces, cleaning harvesting bins, sanitizing sinks, etc.)
• Assist with the planning, development and implementation of the BCCF seed-saving garden to include heirloom food crops characteristic of this region (Appalachian Mountains, Virginia Piedmont and Chesapeake Watershed).
• Willingness to learn the use of “heavy” equipment and exercise safety precautions when using. Equipment may include: a BCS walk-behind tractor, pick-up trucks, rototillers, weed-eaters, a Michigan Front-Loader, leaf blowers, etc.
• Evaluating all plants for overall health, including identifying and addressing problems with diseases and insect pests.
• Identifying native species and developing appropriate protocols for maintaining native species within the “farmscape”, while also monitoring weed development.
• Willingness to learn, implement and help develop new protocols for integrated pest management and the use of only environmentally friendly chemicals, organic materials and sustainable practices.
• Assist in management of occasional volunteers.
• Assist in sharing photography and BCCF updates with our programs and communications team.
• Perform tours of the BCCF and act as a representative and ambassador of Oak Spring Garden Foundation for potential future interns, external guests, and others.
• Assist with propagation of plants and seed collection, and contribute to the development of protocols for these processes.
• Other special projects as assigned by the Bio-Cultural Conservation Farm Manager.
• Other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications:

• Recent graduate in a related agriculture, agro-forestry and/or conservation program or equivalent experience.
• Relevant coursework or work experience (preferred) in sustainable agriculture.
• Ability to meet physical requirements of working outside, in varied weather conditions (including extreme heat and cold) in a working farm setting.
• Ability to help with rotating weekend work.
• Capacity to operate farm machinery.

 

Skills and Knowledge:

• Knowledge of farming and agriculture practices including planting, weeding, harvesting and processing of produce, and farm site maintenance.
• Working knowledge of current trends and practices in sustainable agriculture.
• Ability to work with farm equipment.
• Ability to do repetitive tasks (ie., weeding, mulching, etc.)
• Ability to work independently and also as a part of a team.
• Excellent time-management, communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to concentrate on a task for long periods of time without being distracted.
• Dependable and collaborative team player.
• Must have physical stamina to participate in rigorous outdoor activities.
• Ability to exhibit safe and responsible conduct in outdoor environments.
• Ability to lift at least 50 pounds.

 

Working Conditions: Position will be mainly outdoors in all types of weather.  The BCCF interns must be comfortable in a variety of settings - both indoors and outdoors.  This position will also be exposed to a wide variety of temperatures likely including extreme heat and cold. Exposure to biting and stinging insects, ticks, and noxious plants (also venomous snakes - very rare!) is always a risk in the Virginia countryside, intern must be able to take precautions and act accordingly if exposed.

To be considered for this internship, please send a cover letter and resume to to the Oak Spring Garden foundation at HR@osgf.org. with “2019/2020 BCCF Internship” and your name in the subject line.

 

Compensation this position is : hourly, $15/hr +
Application instructions DeadlineAugust 15, 2019