Summer 2012

Starting date: May 21, 2012
Ending date: September 3, 2012
Pay rate: $8/hour

The Hampshire College Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) internship program provides a hands-on working/learning experience designed for college students interested in sustainable agriculture.

Interns will work alongside the CSA Manager to carry out the daily operations of organic vegetable production on the Hampshire College Farm. Normal working hours are Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-4 p.m. with a one hour lunch break. Some weekend hours will be required.

Responsibilities include:

• greenhouse seeding and watering
• field preparation
• transplanting and direct seeding
• weed control, including tractor cultivation and hand hoeing
• organic pest control
• planting and managing cover crops
• assisting Hampshire College professors with on-farm research

Throughout the summer, interns will be given written learning materials including information on soil health, plant fertility, weed, disease, and insect ecology as well as specific crop rotation plans, seed orders, planting schedules, and cover crop plans. Interns will have the opportunity to conduct their own on-farm research projects if they wish.

The Hampshire College CSA is looking for interns with a strong commitment to learning about sustainable agriculture. Farm work is often strenuous labor that requires physically challenging tasks. It is important for interns to feel physically capable and willing to work hard in all types of weather. When interns are introduced to new tasks they will receive appropriate training. Benefits include occasional trips to other local farms and farm conferences, including the NOFA summer conference, as well as some veggies, flowers, and herbs.

For more information or an application contact:
Nancy Hanson at 413.559.5599 or nhanson@hampshire.edu
Application deadline: March 26, 2012