Seasonal Farm Internship, Midwest Organic Center
The Seasonal Farm Intern will assist in implementing farm activities that enable all research, education, communication, development, and production projects at the Rodale Institute Midwest Organic Center. The seasonal worker will work directly with the Farm Manager and Research Director in a wide range of farm, landscaping, and research activities including but not limited to greenhouse works, establishing research plots, irrigation, mowing, hand weeding, collecting and processing soil and plant samples, and recording applicable data based on project requirements.
Desired Qualifications:
- High School Diploma (required)
- Experience in manual labor, agriculture, or landscaping
- Experience collecting/recording research data
- Ability to maintain organized activity logs
- Positive, motivated, professional attitude
- Attention to detail and ability to accurately record data
- Ability to collect soil and plant samples
- Flexible schedule as farm work can be unpredictable
- Works well in both a teamwork-oriented environment and alone
- Able and willing to work in any weather
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Coordinate with Farm Manager and Research Director to execute day-to-day tasks
- Maintain a clean, organized work area
- Maintain, organize, and clean the equipment and storage areas
- Conduct field and greenhouse activities (establishing research plots, cultivating, planting, harvesting, weeding, watering, seeding, dead-heading, spraying, pruning, trellising, soil and plant sampling)
- Assist with livestock handling and maintaining livestock infrastructure
- Assist in planting and maintaining pollinator habitats
- Mowing, trimming fence lines, and any other landscaping tasks as requested
- Must be comfortable utilizing hand tools and operating landscaping equipment such as mowers and weed whackers
- Assist Farm Manager and Research Director in execution of research plans
- Assist in event setup and clean ups
- Other duties and tasks as assigned by the research director and farm manager
Additional Information:
- Location: Rodale Institute Midwest Organic Center, 3706 St. Peters Rd. Marion, IA 52302
- Compensation: 13-15 per hour, based on experience
- Schedule: Flexible to accommodate 20-40 hours per week. Schedule to be determined at time of hire.
- Expectations: Individuals must be committed to the farm’s success, and in turn, the farm will be committed to the individual’s success. To be trustful and respectful to all staff and visitors.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity or handicap.