Zestful Gardens Internship 2014

General Description: Zestful Gardens a 35 acre Family Farm located 5 miles from downtown Tacoma, Washington (30-45 minute drive from Seattle) along the Puyallup River just outside the town of Puyallup. We farm: 10-12 acres in annual vegetables and small fruits and tend 23 acres of woodland, orchard, cover crops, and pasture. We sell our certified organic produce through CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), farmers markets, and other local outlets. We also raise layers, broilers, pigs, & turkeys. Mother & daughter team are committed to raising vibrant quality produce for our community; maintaining and improving our farm ecosystem; and developing meaningful relationships with our customers and community.

Internship Starts: April/May
Internship Ends: October/November
Number of Interns: 2
App Deadline: March 30th
Minimum Length of Stay: 6 months

Meals: Shared lunches are available Monday – Friday (we rotate cooks, so we each cook for the crew 1 day per week) Other Perks of the job include: Weekly CSA share and discounts on our pastured meat & eggs. Lots of time in the sunshine. Wonderful people. Potential for year-round farm work. And opportunities to advance in a successful, small-scale organic farm.

Skills Desired: • Harvesting and marketing a wide variety produce • Weeding and tending crops • Washing & packing • Transplanting • Working farmers markets & CSA distribution • Seed starting, propagation, and greenhouse watering • Irrigation moving/monitoring • Grounds maintenance • Construction projects • Awareness of the rhythm of life is like on a small, diversified farm!

Educational Opportunities: Educational Opportunities: While we are seeking 2nd year Interns/farmers, we expect that you will continue to learn and grow as a farmer while a part of our crew. Although, most of your work will be in the vegetable fields, there will be opportunities either within or outside of work time to grow your knowledge base through course work (WSU Cultivating Success), field days, farm talks, tours, etc. We try to support Interns with the projects & skills they would like to develop.

Stipend: Compensation: 2nd Year Interns will be paid a salary of $800-1000/month (DOE) with housing included.
Housing: Shared housing (with other Intern) is provided in a nearby rental cottage or other non shared temporary summer housing. (see descriptions)

We provide 2 styles of Year Round accommodation 1.) A cedar lined rustic cabin with minimal electricity, propane cooking & heat, and a composting toilet. Shower facilities are located in our barn a short walking distance. 2.) We rent a little house from our neighbors with electricity, shower, full kitchen, 1 shared bedroom, electric heat, and laundry. We provide 2 styles of Seasonal accommodation: 1.) A camping trailer with electricity, water, kitchen facilities, heat, and porta potty; 2.) A (very cool) converted 1978 Bluebird Bus with electricity, kitchen facilities, heat, porta potty.

Preferred method Of Contact: e-mail or by phone

Internship Details: • We are looking for 2nd year Interns (1-2 years working on vegetable farms ) with a strong commitment to sustainable, community-based agriculture. • The ideal applicant will have a proven work ethic and some experience seeding, transplanting, harvesting, and marketing vegetables. • The ideal candidate will also have good interpersonal skills, be able to work quickly and sustain a fast pace for long hours, be enthusiastic, be a team player, be flexible, and be willing to work independently. • This individual is able to follow directions, is quick to learn, and is detail‐oriented. • Being handy with basic farm repairs (irrigation, fences, gates, barns) or carpentry are pluses. • Must be able to lift 50lbs. • Interns will be involved in most aspects of our farm, working with our farmer/owners and our Farm Manager, overseeing, instructing, and helping our crew of interns and labor. • We also value an openness to try new things, an easygoing attitude, the flexibility to adjust to a fluid work environment, and an enthusiasm for plant and animal life! To Apply: Please send a resume and cover letter to [email protected] outlining your farming experience, tools and equipment in which you are trained, what you have to offer our farming operation, and 3 references.