We are looking for 6 interns for a 6 month commitment for the 2009 growing season to work in the following 3 major areas of focus:
- Small and large animal husbandry including goat and cow dairy, broiler chickens, egg laying chickens, pigs, pasture management and rotational grazing with cows and sheep, irrigation and fence maintenance, farming with draft horses, grain and hay production with draft horses, draft horse equipment maintenance and repair.
- Vegetable production including cold-frame and greenhouse management, propagation, transplanting, irrigation, weed management, row crops, management of a small orchard, harvesting, processing, and marketing.
- Educational and fundraising aspects: helping lead farm tours, develop volunteers for school curriculums, lead school groups through curriculums, coordinate other educational activities, help with organizing fundraising events, help with marketing of products and help with administrative duties.
Each intern will be expected to help with maintenance of the farm, to work closely with other interns on chores that include cleaning, cooking, maintaining neat and orderly workspaces, maintaining equipment and tools as well as other infrastructure.
Interns will have the opportunity to experience each area of the farm and to learn from each of the project leaders including experience in a blacksmith shop, canning, preserving and processing of foods and attend workshops on the farm free of charge.
Internships begin April 15th, 2009 and end October 15th, 2009 and preference will be given to those that can make a full commitment for the 6 month time period, but encourage anyone to apply. Stipends include: food staples plus food produced on the farm and $120.00/month plus a bonus for those that make the fulfill their commitment
Conditions on the farm are rural and primitive and work begins first light of the day. Be prepared for conditions that include strong sun, biting insects, dry conditions, heat, cold, and long hours of work. Interns provide their own tent to live in during their stay, but have full access to both the "Schoolhouse" which is our communal living space available to all farm visitors, and access to a semi outdoor kitchen.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications consist of thoughtful answers to these questions in three pages or less as well as a resume including your birthday and three refrences. We encourage you to send us a picture of yourself doing what you love and look forward to learning more about you!
Please answer the following qouestions:
- what is your experience in farming and in the sustainable agriculture field?
- what is your experience living in community?
- what are your future plans?
- why a farming internship?
- What are your areas of interest on the farm?
- What will you do when you leave la Boca?
- What will you bring to La Boca?
Applicants are encouraged to visit the farm if possible, and all applicants will have an interview with the Program Director. Please Contact Gabe Eggers directly to set up a visit or to answer any questions.
Please send applications to P.O. Box 1645, Ignacio, CO 81137 or email the information to mountainegg@yahoo.com.
Thank you for your interest and look forward to hearing from you.
Gabe Eggers
Program Director
La Boca Center for Sustainability
www.labocacenter.org
mountainegg@yahoo.com
(970) 389-7292