Food Bank Garden Intern

Olympia Kiwanis Food Bank Gardens

Academic Internship Description 2023

TITLE: Food Bank Garden Intern

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Olympia Kiwanis Food Bank Gardens is a volunteer-driven program that raises between 20,000 and 35,000 pounds of vegetables every year that is donated to the Thurston County Food Bank and delivered to community members in need.

No OF OPENINGS: 3 for Spring

WORK SCHEDULE: 10-15 hours/week. Workdays are Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday 9am to 2pm. Students must be punctual, accountable to the schedule, and track their hours.

SITE DESCRIPTION: Interns are responsible for providing their own transportation.

West Side Garden 3839 11^th Ave NW, ½ acre in production

Calliope Farm 1335 Overhulse Rd NW, 1 ½ acre in production, 2 high tunnels

Capitol Campus Garden 212 Maple Park Dr SE, ¼ acre in production, urban site on the Washington State Capitol Campus

POSITION DESCRIPTION: This is an opportunity for students to gain experience in farm production while working within a community framework. Interns will contribute to daily garden production while exploring personal academic goals. Tools are provided. Interns should come prepared to work in varying weather conditions and provide their own rain gear, boots, sunscreen, and hat. This is an unpaid position. Students will earn academic credit based on their institution’s accreditation equivalents. The amount of academic credit hours will be awarded by the student’s Academic Supervisor based on the Field Supervisor’s evaluation. There will be a check-in midway through the quarter or semester.

SUPERVISOR: Gardens Coordinator and/or Kiwanis Gardens Chair. Paid Garden Staff may act as supervisors.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND RELATED TASKS: Garden interns will participate in a variety of functions required to operate a small-scale vegetable farm, including soil preparation, tool use and maintenance, field sowing, greenhouse tasks, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, and post-harvest handling in addition to volunteer recruitment and coordination. Garden interns will have the opportunity to learn about irrigation, seed varieties, and other farming skills. Interns are expected to show up on time and be accountable to Garden Staff and will build essential work skills. Interns are encouraged to ask questions and explore their learning goals with Garden Staff and volunteers. Time will be given for individual work if this is part of the individual internship agreement.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Objectives may vary depending on student. Opportunities for learning include and are not limited to; learn the basics of farm production, gain hands-on experience to develop skills that can be used for agriculture and non-profit work, better understand the needs in our community and the Thurston County Food System, and critical analysis of how to fill gaps in the local food system using available resources.

ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES: Interns can use their service hours for personal and academic exploration while maintaining duties and responsibilities. There is an opportunity at the gardens for students to initiate projects to fulfill academic requirements (eg, Independent Learning Contract). Projects supplemental to garden production must be approved by either Kiwanis Gardens Chair or Gardens Coordinator and support the mission and values of the Olympia Kiwanis Food Bank Gardens.

EVALUATION: Mid-internship evaluation between Field Supervisor and student to ensure students are meeting their academic goals and work requirements. Final reflection by Field Supervisor of intern’s work, based on academic institution’s requirements.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

·         Enrolled in high school or college at time of internship

·         Willingness to learn

·         Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions

·         Transportation to and from garden sites

·         Willingness to work independently and as part of a team

·         Self-awareness and willingness to accept feedback from Garden Staff and Kiwanis Garden Chair

·         Ability to work cooperatively with volunteers and diverse populations

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

·         Interest and commitment to increasing food security

·         Interest in vegetable production

·         Desire to develop skills as a field hand

·         Enrolled, or previously enrolled, in program related to agriculture and/or food security

·         Ability to perform bench and ground level planting

·         Ability to lift 50 pounds

(Accommodations may be made for students with different physical abilities. For students needing special accommodations, arrangements must be made prior to internship between Gardens Coordinator and student.)

APPLICATION:

E-mail Mackenzie McCall at [email protected], with answers to the following questions; (1) Please provide your name, contact information, program, and supervisor’s name and contact information. (2) What are your academic goals? (3) How will this internship complement your academic goals? (4) How many hours are required for your internship? (5) What about completing an internship at the Olympia Kiwanis Food Bank Gardens most appeals to you?