Internship Positions
Internship positions at Cure Organic Farm provide the opportunity to observe, actively experience, ask many questions and above all learn about successful small farming. By no means are internships easy. They require hard work and long hours in the field daily, but offer the invaluable benefit of being a part of the inner workings of the farm. The focus of our internship program is to train future farmers in creating a successful, diversified commercial market farm. Ideal candidates are self-motivated folks looking for agricultural training with a community purpose, and in-the-field training on the details of small farm management .
Cure Organic Farm is a commercial, small family farm located six miles east of Boulder Colorado. We grow 90 different varieties of vegetables, herbs and flowers on 8 acres. All of the crops we grow are distributed within 50 miles of the farm through a CSA program, to local restaurants, farmers markets and our self-serve farm stand on site. The farm is also home to several honey bee hives, over 100 laying hens and grass fed pigs and sheep that are raised for meat.
All of our intern positions have been filled for the 2008 season. Please check back with us for the 2009 season details.
Internship Details
Job Description
At Cure Organic Farm interns are involved in all aspects of the farm, and work closely with the farm managers. The majority of work requires the physical capability to contribute daily in a rigorous, fast-paced agricultural setting, creating an incredibly rewarding, yet demanding work environment and life experience. Please consider this commitment before applying. A typical weekly schedule follows:
Monday field work including weeding and transplanting.
Tuesday harvest for 10 restaurants, 125 member CSA and farmers market. Deliver restaurant orders.
Wednesday finish harvesting for CSA, pack CSA boxes, attend farmers market, and distribute CSA on the farm. Wednesday is by far our longest day as CSA distribution and Farmers Market finish around 8pm.
Thursday field work including weeding and transplanting. Thursday's are volunteer day. Interns are responsible for assisting in leading volunteers in the field.
Friday harvest for 10 restaurants and Saturday farmers market. Deliver restaurant orders.
Saturday load van, set up stand and sell produce at the Boulder Farmers' Market.
To give you an idea of what type of work interns will be doing:
Field work: includes seeding, transplanting, weeding, thinning, trellising and harvesting.
Greenhouse: making soil mix, seeding, weeding, transplanting, watering, and pest control.
Wash Station: washing, sorting, packing, labeling all crops
Tractor work: bed preparation, mowing, cultivating, etc.
Distribution: delivering restaurant orders, distributing CSA and sales at farmers' markets
Animal care: letting chickens out at sunrise, feeding, watering, collecting eggs and putting in at sun down. Feed and water pigs and sheep. |
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Employment Details
Interns work full-time (up to 65 hours a week) with our staff, for a seven month period beginning in April and ending in late October. The typical schedule is ten hours a day, 6 am to 4 or 5 pm, with a one hour lunch break around noon, Monday through Friday, alternating Saturdays at the Boulder Farmers' Market, and alternating weeks on animal duty. Interns are compensated as follows:
xOne of the yomes where our interns live.
| Housing On farm, in private yome with shared bath and kitchen
Stipend $700.00 per month (salary is subject to taxes).
Farm produce, eggs and honey As the season provides.
Field Trips Over the course of the internship period we will take field trips to other farms in the area based on intern's interests. This has included other organic farms, raw milk dairies, community and urban gardens.
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Qualifications
We are looking for reliable, responsible and hardworking individuals who are able to follow directions and communicate well with others. Applicants must be available to begin work the first week of April and commit to staying through the growing season which ends November 1st. Excellent people skills, initiative, and the physical ability to lift, bend, squat and work with your hands is essential. Applicant must have a valid driver's license. While previous farming experience is preferred it is not required, however it is essential that candidates are committed to the farming lifestyle and all that it demands. Finding a good match between what our farm can offer and the needs and expectations of an intern are incredibly important. Interns are essential to the successful operation of the farm each season.
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The Hiring Process
Please send a cover letter, resume and completed Internship Application to the farm by email or regular post. If your qualifications meet our standards we will contact you to schedule a phone or on farm (preferred) interview.
Once hired, interns have a two week trial period. At this time we will check in to determine if what the farm and the intern can offer is a good match. The farm or the intern may end the employment at this time, or commit to the full season.
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All of our intern positions have been filled for the 2008 season. Please check back with us for the 2009 season details.
Internship Application
If you have additional questions about the Intern program, please contact us.