MHC Garden Internship

Duration:  25 hours per week, mid May – August 29, 2008

Location: Mount Holyoke College Campus

Position Title: Garden Intern (2)

The Mount Holyoke Student Gardening Initiative, also known as Crops for Closer Community began as an independent study in 2004. Students received permission to begin cultivation in the spring of 2007.  Initial funding was provided by the generosity of the Senior Class of 2007.  Last year, three summer interns grew acorn squash, potatoes, herbs, and pumpkins, which were sold to the College's Dining Services in the Fall. The garden will serve as a platform to initiate conversations about local food production, food security, and overall campus sustainability.  The garden is also used for field research and as a teaching tool, giving it a direct tie-in to the curriculum.

Housing: Housing will be provided by the CE on the MHC campus.

For more information: MHC Garden

Description:
Intern will plan the garden (e.g., what crops to grow and the cropping pattern), determine when to plant and harvest; facilitate care for soil and plants, including soil and moisture testing and weed analysis; organizing and overseeing volunteer work days(if any); researching organic solutions to pest and other site-related problems; coordinate sale of produce to Dining Services and/or other venues; manage equipment and supplies.

In addition to performing work related to the daily maintenance of the garden, interns will also design and implement a directed research project, focusing on issues either directly related to the MHC Garden or to sustainable agriculture in the local community.  The research projects will culminate in a research paper and a presentation to interested members of the MHC and local community. 

Qualifications:
First-hand knowledge of organic agriculture principles, field experience in organic gardening, people management skills, time management skills;
Comfortable working outdoors under physically demanding circumstances; Prior or current involvement with the MHC garden, whether directly or through course work, strongly preferred.

Funding:
Available through the Center for the Environment Summer Leadership Fellowship Program; see application instructions.

About the Organization:
To foster an increased awareness of the local and global interconnections associated with food production and consumption by directly linking the Mount Holyoke College Community to the Garden through academics, the campus dining experience, and student volunteer work. The Mount Holyoke Student Garden will also build connections and share knowledge with the agricultural community of the Pioneer Valley, thereby strengthening Mount Holyoke's relationship to the local environment.