Farm at Water’s Edge Community Farm and Learning Center
| http://Facebook.com/FarmWatersEdge |
Posted on: 07/30/2013 3:31 pm
(dates are flexible)
The Pacific Northwest Salmon Center is home to the Hood Canal Salmon Enhancement Group and Farm at Water’s Edge. The Salmon Center’s mission is to protect and restore wild salmon ecosystems in the Hood Canal Watershed through restoration, research, education and stewardship. The Salmon Center restores salmon habitat through invasive plant removal, native plant propagation, culvert removal, and large scale estuary restoration projects. More information available at www.pnwsalmoncenter.org.
The Farm at Water’s Edge is a 40 acre non-profit community farm and learning center providing healthy, affordable produce and educational programs to all members of the community. The Farm is located on 80 acres of historic farmland on the shores of Hood Canal where a portion of the land is being restored to native estuary to improve salmon habitat. Interns will have to opportunity to witness a large-scale salmon estuary restoration project in conjunction with sustainable agriculture and education. The Farm at Water’s Edge follows conservation practices such as composting, sourcing local organic and heirloom seed, reduced tillage, crop rotation, manure and pasture management, cover cropping, and buffer strips.
The Farm currently has 1 acre in Certified Organic vegetable production, alpacas, chickens, goats, meat rabbits, and sheep as part of our children’s 4-H and FFA programs. Farm Interns will assist the Farm Manager in day to day operations on the farm. He or she will gain hands-on experience and knowledge in organic vegetable production, livestock care, children’s garden and livestock programs, and non-profit management. In addition to hands-on learning opportunities , interns will also participate in more formal classroom-type lectures on topics such as composting, cover cropping, plant pathology and soil science.
Eligibility:
- Must be an enrolled in college, university, or certificate program
- Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
- Must be able to work some evening hours
Terms of Employment:
Project Duration – Continuous
Start Date – Available Immediately
End Date – Flexible, Minimum 1 month commitment
Hours per week – 10-40
Pay – See Stipend Rate Sheet (below), also organic vegetables as available
Credits – Students may receive academic credit from their institution
Responsibilities/Tasks:
- Planting, weeding, seeding, and harvesting vegetables and flowers
- Marketing and selling produce, flowers, and eggs at on-site Farm Stand
- Feeding, watering, and caring for alpacas, chickens, rabbits, goats, and sheep
- Assisting with design and instruction for children’s farm programs, including field trips, farm tours, day camps, and classes
- Assisting with construction and building projects including High Tunnels and Chicken Tractors
Desirable Skills/Qualifications:
Student must be:
- A dependable individual, capable of working independently and leading volunteers and work crews
- Detail oriented, a positive attitude, and excellent communication/people skills
- Able to work in a physically demanding environment in all weather conditions
- Previous garden and/or farm experience preferred but not required
Stipend Rate Sheet
Pacific Northwest Salmon Center internships are available to students enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or continuing education program where they receive school credits and monetary stipend for their time. Internship opportunities have flexible time commitments along with corresponding credit hours and stipends. Students must coordinate with their school or advisor in advance to ensure they receive school credit for their internship. Stipends are awarded upon completion of hours.
Time Commitment Stipend |
(based on a 10 week quarter) |
100 hours; ~ 10 hrs/week $250.00 |
200 hours; ~ 20 hrs/week $500.00 |
300 hours; ~ 30 hrs/week $750.00 |
400 hours; ~ 40 hrs/week $1000.00 |
Stipends will be distributed in two installments upon the completion of committed contract hours. The first payment will be distributed at midterm (of internship) and the last payment will be distributed at end of term.*
*Start and end dates of projects may not necessarily coincide with quarterly school schedules. Start and end dates and/or weekly hour commitment for internships are negotiable but must be determined before work commences.
To Apply:
Please submit a letter of interest, a current resume, and an unofficial transcript to Leah White at . Rolling interviews will be conducted within two weeks upon receiving application. Questions and comments may also be directed to this address or by calling (360) 275-9722 Extension 15.
Number of interns needed: 2-4
Kids Okay: No.
Pets Okay: No.
Car Required: Yes.
Experience Required: Helpful.
Specific skills or knowledge required: A passion for, and dedication to, learning about organic farming
Work Hours: Negotiable.
Learning Opportunities: Set Aside Time.
Meals: Separate Cooking.
Housing: Maybe.
Paid: Yes.