Urban Farm Internship Part-time/seasonal
About Common Ground: Common Ground is a center for environmental learning in New Haven, Connecticut. Farm meets forest meets city on Common Ground’s 20 acre campus at the base of West Rock Ridge. The site abuts the 1800 acre West Rock State Park, sharing hiking trails, wildlife, and diverse natural habitats with the surrounding forests. Common Ground’s urban farm produces sustainably grown food for programs and our community and is home to our friendly farm animals. Common Ground’s Charter High School uses the site as an organizing principle of its curriculum which is guided by an ecological framework highlighting the connection and interdependence of all living and non-living things. Each year, more than 10,000 community members participate in festivals, field trips, after-school programs, and other educational opportunities on site. For more information visit www.commongroundct.org.
Job Description: Common Ground (CG) grows 10,000 lbs of fresh produce annually, including vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. We also raise laying hens, ducks, turkeys, goats + sheep. Farm products go to our Cafeteria, Farm Share, Mobile Market, + more! Farm work will be done with the Farm Director, Farm Manager, Food Justice Education Coordinator, Compost Program Coordinator and high school youth.
Interns will gain in person experience and lesson based learning in all aspects of planting, growing, maintaining a diversified sustainable vegetable operation, and small scale livestock management.
Specific farm tasks may include composting, planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, preparing for farmshare, keeping crop records, caring for farm animals and a variety of other tasks.
Depending on the interest + skills of the intern, there may be opportunities to help with off-site mobile farm stands, focus on improving our compost area, Sunday animal chores, and/or help host weekend volunteers on the farm.
Covid-19 pending-we will also take a few field trips to learn from other farms and food justice work going on in the New Haven Community.
*Several summer programs for children ages 4 – 18 take place on the farm. Interns do not have daily responsibilities working with these programs, but must be mature and good role models for all children on the farm. Interns will be working as a team with a group of teenagers who are employed by CG.
Qualifications:
Previous garden experience is not necessary
A strong interest in deepening farming + food systems knowledge + skills with a focus on food justice
Willingness + ability to work hard, physically in all weather: be able to lift 25+ lbs and kneel/crouch for extended periods of time. Comes prepared and is adaptable to the ever changing priorities of the farm
Good communication + interpersonal skills with people of all ages and a good sense of humor.
Ability to learn, to ask questions, + also take initiative, to work both with + without direct supervision
Demonstrated commitment, reliability, punctuality, + responsible behavior
The willingness to be a positive role-model to young people working on the farm
Uphold the farm’s COVID safety procedures and precautions to keep ourselves and community safe
18 years or older
Work Schedule & Compensation
There are 3 apprenticeship spots available from May 23 - August 10 (12 Weeks).
There is 1 apprenticeship spot available from the end of May through Early December (23 weeks).
Hours will be around 20 per week, 3 days based on preferences, but traditionally Tue-Thur 8:30-3.
Compensation: $15/hour plus weekly farm produce
Housing: Housing is not provided.
Transportation: Parking is available on-site, as are bicycle racks. We have a bus-stop on site (take the 243-B bus from the New Haven Green), + we are walking distance from New Haven’s Westville, Westrock neighborhoods.
To Apply
Send a cover letter about why you are interested in working on the CG Farm + your resume by March 19, 2023. Send to the Farm Manager at diane.litwin(at)commongroundct.org or mail to Attn: Farm Manager, 358 Springside Ave. New Haven CT 06515.