Doe Bay Garden Seeks Full Season Intern

We are seeking a full season intern for a minimum of 6 months to begin as early as February.

ABOUT DOE BAY GARDEN: Doe Bay Garden operates as a one acre Seed-to-Table garden at Doe Bay Resort and Retreat on beautiful Orcas Island.  We provide as much high-value produce as possible for our onsite café that is gaining a great reputation in the region for local & seasonal fare.  Our focus: Year-round mixed vegetable production, berries and fruit trees, plant propagation, herb and cut flower propagation and production, and chickens for egg production. We place a large focus on our soil health through our café compost program as well as experimenting with the best cover crop, rotation, and amendment practices. We are involved with seed saving and seed-saving education on the island.  All work is done by hand and our small size allows an intern to get their hands in everything and really develop a feel for what it takes to plan and manage growing space.

Internship Starts: Feb-April
Internship Ends: September or October
App Deadline: ongoing
Minimum Length of Stay: 6 months

Primary job functions to include: bed preparation, greenhouse work, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, hand watering. The full-season intern will assist the garden manager in all aspects of production and will help train short-term volunteers as needed.

The intern will work 5 days a week for a total of 40 hrs, with 2 consecutive days off. A commitment to at least six months is a requirement; however, if there is a scheduling conflict we will work to coordinate schedules as best we can. Please email for an application.

Skills Desired: A strong work ethic and ability to work hard in all sorts of weather, flexibility, ability to communicate well with others, ability to be self-motivated and energetic, a desire to learn and help lead others, and a sense of humor. Doe Bay is a resort and many people visit the garden – the ability to interface enthusiastically with the public is a necessity. No garden/farm experience is necessary, though basic knowledge of growing food or experience working hard in the outdoors is a plus.

Educational Opportunities: The intern will help lead classes and workshops onsite and/or in the community. Past workshop topics have included seed saving 101, composting and soil fertility, the amazing world of bugs and plant morphology. We have a garden library of 20+ books and time can be made to investigate topics of interest through an individual project. The intern will be able to visit other local farms on the island as well.

Stipend:  A weekly stipend is available for use in the Doe Bay Café and Store.  Garden produce and eggs are also available.

Housing: Onsite housing is available in a shared cabin during fall/winter seasons. In summer months, housing is tent camping. There is access to a shared kitchen and bathhouse, as well as the sauna and soaking tubs at Doe Bay.

We ask for your commitment to our vision and dedication to working hard! Orcas Island is an amazing place to live – opportunities abound for hiking, swimming, kayaking & enjoying the outdoors in all ways. A car is helpful, but not necessary for getting around.

Thanks!