New Roots Farm Intern

SCOPE OF WORK: In this role, the intern will assist the program coordinator in managing the two farm sites operated by New Roots Phoenix. This includes a community garden with raised garden beds for individuals, an aquaponics greenhouse as well as flood irrigation and drip tape row farming methods. Tasks will include propagation, production, harvesting and marketing of produce to customers through the farm stand or CSA program. The intern will also support general maintenance of the property, including weeding, watering, picking up trash and site projects. Finally, the intern will support outreach and education of refugee farmers and community members in horticulture/farming and nutrition.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

•  Learn about the aquaponics system and community gardens to actively contribute to the Community Food Hub
•  Completing assigned daily checklist responsibilities, including aquaponics system maintenance and site maintenance (including, but not limited to: taking care of fish, cleaning settling tanks, weeding inside greenhouse, keeping greenhouse organized, etc.)
•  Contributing to educational programming around farming for clients
•  Assisting with group volunteer days
•  Performing other general site-related improvement projects
•  Communicating regularly with farmers and community gardeners
•  Alerting New Roots Staff of any issues that may come up at the garden
•  Assisting with growing on the IRC demonstration plot (seeding, watering, weeding, caring for seedlings/transplants, pruning, harvesting, etc.)
•  Assisting growers as needed with crop plans, pest management and irrigation
•  Developing and completing at least one focused side-project related to farming, aquaponics, gardening, or agricultural practices, as planned and discussed with New Roots staff

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

•  Develop a working knowledge of managing and working an urban farm site
•  Planning, propagating, growing, harvesting, and marketing produce
•  Planning and executing educational programming for refugee farmers/gardeners
•  Build outreach skills with residents as well as many non-English speaking farmers