Work on the Garden for the Summer!

POSITION: Garden Intern

Job Summary: Work with garden manager planting, weeding, harvesting, and selling vegetables. Interns will help coordinate compost program and supervise student volunteers at the farm. Typical work week is about 30 hours a week, but will be extremely variable depending on the time of year. No work is generally done on weekends, though harvests must be done whenever the vegetables are ready - especially broccoli and greens. One day a week interns will harvest with Seth Kroeck for the Crystal Spring Farm CSA. There may opportunities to work with chicken and sheep on Crystal Spring Farm.

Required Experience and Skills: Enthusiasm and an appreciation for fresh, organic veggies! We do not require any prior gardening experience, though it is great if you have some. Must be able to do heavy manual labor, perform hand gardening tasks, lift heavy objects, bend and twist.

Working Conditions: Much of work will be outdoors in the garden, subject to temperature changes and variable weather conditions (we generally stop work when its raining!)

Learning Objectives:

1. Develop skills necessary for managing small organic gardening operation and gain experience applicable to operating any small business
2. Learn to “close the loop” by utilizing food scraps to make compost for organic garden.
3. Connect academics to real-life experiences outside the classroom.
4. Bridge College and community gap by involving volunteers, selling produce and donating food to local soup kitchen.
5. Develop skills marketing and selling products (produce).
6. Learn skills and techniques to successfully grow organic food.

Contributions to Bowdoin Community:

1. Utilize food waste in compost for organic garden (close the loop!)
2. Provide organic produce to Bowdoin College Dining Service
3. Enhance town/college relations by offering organic produce at farmer’s markets.
4. Provide opportunities for community member involvement in volunteer program at the garden.
5. Provide employment and life-skills development opportunities to Bowdoin students.
6. Take a leadership role as a sustainable campus.
7. Gain recognition for the college’s commitment to sustainability and use of organic produce.

For an application for the 2005 year please contact:

Joel Cartwright
jcartwri@bowdoin.edu
(207) 725-8335