Company description

Boston Medical Center deeply understands that our environment impacts our health. With two rooftop farms, BMC is working to strengthen at-risk local food systems, reduce our carbon footprint, and increase green space. The farms also support our innovative clinical program, the Preventative Food Pantry, where physicians “prescribe” supplemental foods that facilitate health and recovery for many clinical diagnoses, including cancer, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS.

Between our longstanding Power Plant Farm and our newer Newmarket Farm, BMC hosts nearly 8,000 square feet of growing space, producing fresh, nutritious, and culturally informed foods for our patients and community members.

Job description

This internship is a rare opportunity to learn the ins and outs of operating rooftop farms for a hospital. The intern will support the Education and Outreach Manager in all aspects of on farm engagement with tour groups, volunteer sessions, and workshops. Alongside educational programming, the intern will also be involved in daily farm operations, including harvest and cultivation. Ongoing mentorship from farm staff will support the intern’s growth, with responsibilities expanding as experience and confidence develop over the season.

Responsibilities include:

• Work with farm staff to develop and implement educational programming on the farm including staff/patient gardening and nutrition classes, and two weeks of farm summer camps
• Maintain strong communication with internal and external partners
• Assist at a weekly farmer’s market hosted by the hospital, and food deliveries to the hospital food pantry and cafeteria
• Partake in general organic farm work: planting, seeding, pruning, pest control/monitoring, harvesting, soil amendment/bed prep
• Collaborate on planting schedule, soil management, and pest management
• Work with the farm staff and Communications team on recording weekly social media updates on the farm.
  Support farm staff in hosting regular tours of the farm

Intern will gain:

• Experience creating and implementing food systems and nutrition education curriculum
• Communication and relationship-building skills through collaboration with diverse partners at the local and hospital-wide levels
• Organic production farming skills and knowledge including harvesting, planting, seeding, pest and disease management, and soil fertility management
• An understanding of the unique aspects of urban, rooftop farming at a hospital, including relations with cafeteria, food pantry, and other hospital staff
• Networking opportunities with other local urban farms and food justice nonprofits

Requirements/Qualifications:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including active listening, situational awareness, and proactive communication of task timelines, progress, and obstacles
• Ability to repeatedly lift up to 40 pounds. Should be prepared to do strenuous physical work in all weather conditions. Should have an awareness of body mechanics and their own physical capabilities and limits
• Capacity to respond to occasional last minute communications outside of working hours for time sensitive matters
• Capacity to be onsite at the farm at least 4 days/week. The farm is accessible by public transportation.
  Production farming or education experience is preferred, but not required
• Bilingual in Spanish, Portuguese, or another language is also a plus.

Compensation & Time commitment

• Seasonal, flexible start and end date roughly from May - October
• 4 days a week
• 4-6 months depending on availability
• Approximately 24-27 hours per week
  

Please note

All workers on the farm are required to comply with BMC’s vaccination guidelines.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

If you are not registered, you'll be prompted to do so. Don't worry, it's free!

Deadline

February 05, 2026