MHC Garden Internship

Duration:  40 hours per week, mid May – August 28, 2009

Location: Mount Holyoke College Campus

Position Title: Garden Intern (2)

The Mount Holyoke Student Garden Project, known as Crops for Closer Community, began as an independent study in 2004.  This spurred student interest. With approval from the college administration, and the generosity of the senior class of 2007, the Garden Project was born.   In the past two years, summer interns grew acorn squash, potatoes, herbs, and pumpkins, which were sold to the College's Dining Services in the Fall.  The Garden Project serves 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:
Interns 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; organize and oversee volunteer work days (if any); research and implement organic solutions to pest and other site-related problems; coordinate sale of produce to Dining Services and/or other venues, and; 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 agriculture, people management skills, and time management skills.  Interns must be comfortable working outdoors under physically demanding circumstances.  Prior or current involvement with the MHC garden, whether directly or through course work, strongly preferred.

Funding: $3600 (plus housing on campus)
Available through the Center for the Environment Summer Leadership Fellowship Program; (see below for application instructions.)

About the Organization:
The mission of the Garden Project is to foster an increased awareness of local, sustainable food production systems and to provide an on-campus field site for the study of agro-ecological principles.  The Garden Project also aims to build connections and share knowledge with the local agricultural community of the Pioneer Valley, thereby strengthening the college’s relationship to the regional community.  The garden is located on Prospect Hill. 

Application Instructions:
Please forward a letter of interest, resume, the name, phone number and email address of 2 referencesand an unofficial transcript by Friday, April 3, 2009 to Center for the Environment, Garden Internship, Mount Holyoke College, 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA 01075.