Company description

Located in the Adirondacks in Lake Placid, NY, we are a co-ed boarding and day school for students in grades 4-9, as well as a residential summer camp for children ages 8-14. Our 220-acre campus features a working farm, organic gardens, and alpine wilderness that provide hands-on opportunities for learning, work, and growth.

Internship description

12-Month Farm and Garden Internship

Farming and organic gardening play central roles in the lives of children and adults at North Country School and Camp Treetops. Our animal program consists of the care and management of horses, sheep, goats, chickens, and pigs, including animals for meat production. Our gardens produce about five acres of vegetables and flowers for consumption and education. In addition, during the spring we run a maple syrup operation in which we tap approximately 600 maple trees. The work here is demanding but highly rewarding and filled with opportunities for learning. Interns have daily interactions with our students and campers, but are also expected to develop skills related to garden and farm production systems, which sometimes necessitates working independently. 12-Month Farm and Garden Interns will learn hands-on about small-scale sustainable farming and farm education, gaining skills that will enable them to work successfully as future farmers and/or educators.

12-Month Farm and Garden Interns will report to the Garden Manager, focusing on garden and maple production, with seasonal cross training and assistance in animal care. Interns receive room and board, health insurance, and a stipend of $1,200 per month. The dates of the internship are June, 2020 through May, 2021.

Main Responsibilities

• Assist with all aspects of greenhouse and garden production systems, including seeding, transplanting, cultivation, harvest, and post-harvest processing
• Assist in maple syrup production from tapping to sap collection and boiling
• Lead seasonal harvest and work crews of students and campers
• Assist in animal care, including daily barn chores and other barn activities
• Assist in compost chores, as well as compost data collection and research
• Keep up to date records and assist in crop planning, seed ordering, and seeding schedules
• Work with Edible Schoolyard Program teachers, assisting in classes and instructing farm-based education activities and curriculum
• Lead three afternoon Out Time activities a week, a week-long Intersession program, and rotating Saturday activity trips for students throughout the school year
• Lead weekly farm-based activities for campers during the Camp Treetops season
• Assist with farm-related research, outreach programming, and conference presentations
• Attend various school and camp meetings, trainings, and special events throughout the year

Qualifications

• Desire to live and work in an educational institution with plant and animal production systems
• Ability to work independently and with others
• Ability to provide instruction to children, and coordinate groups of children
• Willingness to learn to operate a variety of hand tools, power tools, and farm machinery
• Ability to perform physical work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions
• Desire to set learning goals, receive feedback, communicate effectively with supervisors and colleagues, and take on responsibilities
• Desire to live and work for the year in a small, close-knit community in the Adirondacks
• Previous farming, gardening, and/or educational experience is preferred.

12-Month Farm and Garden Interns must be a minimum of 21 years old, have a college degree or equivalent experience, and be able to pass a background check.

Summer Internships (June-August) are also available.

Compensation

this position is: stipend / non-monetary compensation

Application instructions

Deadline

March 31, 2020