Intern - New Roots Farm & Garden

The New Roots program at the IRC is an initiative to support nutrition, food security, gardening, enterprise, and production activities within the US network of IRC offices so that resettled refugees are empowered to be self-sufficient and lead healthy lives. The New Roots Gardening intern will be placed into a role of best fit and be empowered to assist IRC staff in expanding the size and the scope of the farm and gardens, propagation and maintenance of the garden, farm pop-up stand coordination, and/or serve as a liaison between IRC growers and local community. The person applying for this internship will be expected to keep a reliable weekly garden and office visitation schedule. There is also the potential to teach nutrition and food related class. These classes will provide knowledge of healthy food choices from our very own gardens.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Every intern will be expected to support the following activities:

• Collaborate with IRC staff and community partners to identify new refugee participants, partners, materials and plants needed for the community garden;
• Work alongside IRC staff, refugee farmers, other interns & volunteers
• Assist in identifying and securing donations of materials, expansion sites, and technical advice
• Organize and help facilitate classes and community meetings
• Keep thorough and accurate records for all tasks, including participants & activities
• Create reports and communicate with New Roots staff on farmer and overall project progress
• Assist New Roots Staff and farmers with identifying & implementing ideal harvest times
• Work and communicate cross-culturally with multiple stakeholders
• Support farm and garden upkeep and maintenance, including helping to assign plots, lead composting activities, assist with workshops, train, coordinate deliveries

FARM POP-UP STAND  |  MARKETING & SALES
This role champions the culmination of all the farmer’s work by assisting with the marketing, reconciling, and sales of produce from the farm. To thrive in this role, you need:

• Experiential knowledge of working at a farmer’s market &/or pop up market
• Exceptional communication skills, sales or customer service experience preferred
• Excellent record keeping skills, including use of excel
• Ability to track and forecast market demands to inform succession planting, harvest times, etc
• Product knowledge, existing knowledge of vegetables (types, peak harvest times, preferred uses)
• Ability to lift, hold, and stand for extended periods of time to assist with set-up, operation, and tear down of pop-up stand
• Existing marketing, design, and advertising experience

DEMO GARDEN & PROPIGATION SPECIALIST  |  GROWTH & FARMER TRAINING
This role ensures a successful demonstration garden (50x50 plot & herb garden), successful plant propagation, and training of farmers on selection and best practices. To thrive in this role, you need:

• Experience in propagation, preferably from a hoop house, green house, or other nursery setting
• Existing knowledge and experience growing common vegetables
• Superb understanding of planning and implementing succession planting
• Ability to diagnose and resolve plant pests and diseases
• Confidence and comfort in identifying and teaching best practices in small group settings. Example topics include pest management and how to properly use shade structures and green houses.
• Coordinate with IRC staff on what and when to plant demonstrations, as well as implement the plan.  This includes planting, seeding, weeding, and harvesting produce from demo and herb gardens

FOOD SAFETY & PRODUCE READINESS  |  PACKING & WASHING SPECIALIST
This role supports refugee farmers as they harvest and prepare their produce to make maximum profit.  The individual will train & support farmers with food safety requirements during harvest, washing, and packaging. To thrive in this role, you need:

• Experience washing & packing produce
• Thorough knowledge of food safety guidelines
• Excellent record keeping skills, including use of excel
• Willingness to work closely with Farm Pop-Up Stand personnel & support farmers growth
• Existing knowledge and experience growing common vegetables. 

• Teamplayer – every role works directly with refugee farmers, interns, and IRC staff
• Energetic, empathetic, organized and ready to do a variety of jobs.
• Creative and willing to assist with long-term projects
• Experiential & working knowledge of agriculture, technical agricultural experience preferred
• Problem-solving, industrious, adaptable to changing deadlines and priorities
• Compliance with IRC Way, IRC volunteer and workplace policies.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in English.
• Ability to lift, squat and stand for prolonged periods of time

This position reports to the New Roots Coordinator. 

• This is an unpaid internship.
• Work related driving is eligible for reimbursement at the charitable mileage rate.
• Internships are available for current college students, graduate students, and graduates less than 2 years post-graduation. Course credit and transcript notation are available if the student submits the appropriate paperwork to the Volunteer Specialist.