Market Farmer Internship GoFarm
- Date Posted March 11, 2023
- Location Golden, CO
- Category Agriculture / Education
- Job type Part-Time
GoFarm is a nonprofit organization with a mission to train and support local farmers, connect people with local agriculture, and increase equitable access to nutrient-rich food grown in Colorado. GoFarm fulfills this mission by running three programs: Local Food Share, Community Food Access, and Farmer Development & Support.
The Local Food Share program (LFS) works with over 40 farms to operate a multi-farm, Community Supported Agriculture program—or CSA—where community members get a weekly or biweekly share of local, sustainably-grown food. Participants pick up their food each week from one of our three distribution sites located in Golden and Arvada. The Community Food Access program (CFA) makes healthy, local food more affordable and accessible in our community. We partner with community organizations to manage tailored projects that address food insecurity at a systems level. The Farmer Development & Support program (FDS) supports existing farmers and helps beginning farmers start and manage their own farm. GoFarm provides mentorship, stipends, access to land, and year round support to beginning farmers as well as educational opportunities to both new and experienced farmers. We are headquartered in Golden, Colorado. Learn more about us at Gofarm.org.
GoFarm Market Farmer Intern
Employment Status: Part time, nonexempt (around 20 hrs/week)
Compensation: $18/hr plus a free weekly veggie share
Start Date: May 15, 2023
End Date: September 30, 2023
Market Farmer Internship Position Summary
GoFarm is seeking motivated, adaptable, and passionate individuals to fill the GoFarm Market Farmer internship positions. Interns will learn sustainable farming practices, increase their knowledge of our local food system in Colorado, and play an integral role in connecting local farmers to people in the community. They will work closely with the FDS Program Manager, other GoFarm staff, and other interns in a fun and collaborative team culture. Primary intern responsibilities include working with Incubator Farmers on everything from seeding and prepping beds to harvesting and processing crops. Interns are also expected to assist with distribution for GoFarm’s Local Food Share, providing excellent customer service and engaging with local community members on food justice issues. Interns will have the opportunity to attend monthly workshops on farming topics as well as monthly workshops on food systems topics. A final scope of work will be determined based on organizational needs and the intern’s strengths and interests. This is an entry level internship that is best suited for those looking to explore a career in agriculture or who are looking for hands-on experience in starting a market farming career.
Responsibilities:
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Work with our Incubator Farmers to assist them with all aspects of their farm operation (~20 hours/week)
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Prepare soil for planting and help to implement soil building practices
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Install and maintain farm irrigation systems
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Seed and plant crops
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Manage weeds and pests
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Harvest, process and distribute farm produce
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Assist Incubator Farmers on additional tasks as needed throughout the season
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Assist at one Local Food Share Distribution every two weeks starting June 7th (~4 hours every 2 weeks)
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Conduct produce inventory
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Assemble produce displays for distributions and markets
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Educate community members about local food systems
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Serve local community members by helping people pick out their produce and by answering question about the food production process
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Learn about local producers and farmers, and help convey information about these local growers to community members
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Comply with GoFarm’s Food Safety Plan
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Conduct a program evaluation and provide feedback to GoFarm staff
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Attend orientation and monthly educational workshops (~2-4 hours/month)
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Maintain good communication with the FDS Program Director
Working Conditions
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20 hours every week:
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Several consecutive hours outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions
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Several consecutive hours standing, bending and crouching to weed, plant, harvest, etc.
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Must be willing to work at least one weekend shift per month
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Occasionally working in adverse weather conditions including rain, snow, high wind, and in both the heat and cold
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Regularly moving large boxes and crates of produce or moving soil amendments, up to 50 lbs
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Working in-person with the public
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Some remote computer-based work may be required (Zoom meetings, readings, etc.)
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Must be 18 or older
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Must be compliant with our COVID 19 Policy
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Some gardening or farming experience preferred
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Willing to work some weekends and/or evenings
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Will be working at different farm sites that may or may not have reasonable access to public transportation
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Able to work both as part of a team and individually on tasks on farms and at distribution sites
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Flexible, willing to learn, comfortable taking initiative, and willing to ask questions when needed
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Willing to engage with and be welcoming toward customers and passersby
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Passionate about local food, food equity and sustainable food systems
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Willing and committed to learning about inequity within the food system, advancing food justice, and working toward a more equitable food system. To learn more about GoFarm’s commitment to equity, click here.
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Conversant in English, fluency not required
Bonus!
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It's helpful for us to have some interns who are able to drive GoFarm vehicles, but this is not required of all interns. These folks would need to have a valid driver's license and clean driving record in order to be added to GoFarm's insurance.
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Conversant or fluent in Spanish
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Have participated in another track of GoFarm’s Beginning Farmer Training Program
Please complete this google form. Applications will be accepted until March 31st, 2023. Please direct any questions to Tessa McCusker (tessa@gofarm.org) and Jess Hargest (jesshargest@gofarm.org).
GoFarm follows an equal opportunity employment policy and employs personnel without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, marital status, transgender status, gender identity, ancestry, gender, political service, affiliation or disability.
We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is valued and recognized as a source of strength and enrichment. We seek to attract talented people from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures, including people of color.
Application instructions