Cloud Mountain Farm Center 2019 Internship

Organization Mission and Vision:

Cloud Mountain Farm Center’s (CMFC) mission is to build experience, knowledge, and community to expand dynamic local food systems. CMFC envisions a thriving, collaborative community in which regional agricultural businesses are prosperous and contribute to a healthy environment and the well-being of all citizens. CMFC aspires to be a trusted, proactive, and adaptable leader that works with partner educational and trade organizations within the regional food system to further our mission through a number of programs.

Internship Description:

The Cloud Mountain Farm Center Internship is a vocational learning program for those interested in starting their own farm business and/or being a key employee on a farm. This program includes a hands-on, farm-based, full-immersion experience in agricultural production and management as well as a solid understanding of the big picture challenges that affect NW agriculture and the communities it serves. Interns learn first-hand what it takes to keep farmlands healthy and agricultural businesses thriving.

Cloud Mountain Farm Center operates both annual and perennial cropping systems as well as a retail nursery. Our annual organic vegetable production is on 5 acres of tractor cultivated scale and includes row crops, high tunnels, and leafy greens production. Our perennials include 5 acres of conventional and organic fruit trees and vineyards that include pome/stone fruit and table/wine grapes. Our retail nursery offers both fruit and ornamental plants. Interns will engage with all areas of production on the farm.

Work and Education Structure

• Lectures, Workshops, and Field Trips (approx. 8 hours/week)
  • Through instruction and exposure via lectures, workshops, and farm tours, interns complete a comprehensive curriculum that focuses on the following concepts:
    • Business and Marketing: business planning, enterprise accounting, value-added production, farm finances, grants and loans.
    • Soils and Fertility: soil science, tillage, cultivation, compost, and cover crops
    • Crop Production: irrigation, crop culture, tractors and implements, weed management, crop planning, botany, integrated pest and disease management, and orchard and vineyard management
    • Propagation and Nursery: vegetative propagation, seed biology, and greenhouse management
    • Environmental and Social Systems: land conservation, water access and rights, food access and food justice
  • Tuition for the 2019 season is $5,000 with a $500 rebate upon completion of the program. Tuition is due at the beginning of the program and covers all guest speakers, workshops, field trips, and educational materials over the course of the program.
  • Vocational (approx. 30-32 hours/week)
    • Interns will work as paid employees for approximately 4 days of the week or 30-32 hours per week. Interns are paid hourly at $12.00/hour. Work schedules will vary throughout the season and interns can expect to work some weekends.
    • Hands-on education happens through meaningful work in our vegetable, fruit and nursery enterprises. Farm work is fast paced and physically demanding involving repetitive tasks and will include working in sometimes extreme weather conditions. You can expect to work outside in the cold, rain, and heat.
    • Interns can expect vocational training in the following:
      • Annual Vegetable Production: propagation, seeding, cultivation, irrigation, harvest, high tunnels, introduction to tractor use, and post-harvest handling
      • Perennial Orchards and Vineyards: pruning and training, pest and disease management, monitoring, and harvest
      • Nursery Production: plant propagation and container growing
      • Marketing: Farmers Market, Restaurant Sales, Wholesale Markets

Pay and Tuition

CMFC values and depends on the work performed by interns throughout the season and as such, we’ve structure the program so interns are paid for their work. Additionally, interns will pay tuition for the educational portion of the program.

Partial Tuition Fee Waivers

We offer a limited number of partial tuition fee waivers that are need-based. Upon acceptance into the program, participants will have the option to apply for a partial fee waiver. We do not want finances to deter people from participating in the program. Please inquire for more information.

2019 Program Dates

March 1-October 18, 2019

Housing

Housing is not included in the program fees. Limited housing is available to rent. Please inquire if housing is needed.

Off-site Intern Tracks

CMFC partners with other farms to offer our educational programming for interns working at partner farms. Applicants with interest in enterprises beyond our scope such as livestock or flowers, please inquire and we will connect you with a partner farm. Terms of employment will be negotiated between intern and partner farm.

Skills and Qualifications

Priority will be given to applicants with the following skills and qualifications:

• Desire to operate a farm business or be a key employee at a farm business
• Some background knowledge of plant cultivation and at least one-year experience working at a production farm or nursery
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative with a strong work ethic and ability to work well within a team setting
• Physical ability to do demanding work in all weather and lift 40 lbs. repeatedly

University Credit and Partnerships

The Internship is accredited by Washington State University’s Cultivating Success Program.

Upon completion of the program, interns will receive up to 12 continuing education credits from WSU. Students from other colleges and universities have received credits through participation in the program. If you are currently a student at another local college or university, please inquire about other credit and/or work study opportunities.

Apply Now!

Applications are due for the 2019 program by October 31^st, 2018. We will continue to accept applications and conduct interviews on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Please send the following application materials and all other program inquiries via email to

• A completed application form below (also available to download at cloudmountainfarmcenter.org/education/internships)
• Responses to the essay questions found on the application form
• Your current resume including education and work experience

A list of 3 references.  Two of them must be professional.  Please include their name, address, email and phone number.