PROGRAM SUMMARY – Internship program cancelled for 2020. 

*  Summer internships are unpaid opportunities for high school students to learn about sustainable growing practices and community farming in a fun, friendly environment.

*  No experience is necessary, just a desire to learn and work hard.

*  The minimum requirement for the internship is a two week trial period (consecutive weeks), three days per week  (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) from 8 am to 12 pm.  Sessions start June 30, July 14, July 28, and August 11.

* There is a limit of six interns per session.   Apply early to get your preferred session (first come, first served)!

*  After the trial period and with agreement of the Farm Manager, interns can increase the number of weeks at the farm.

* Click 2020 NCF High School Field Crew Intern Program Description to download a pdf version of the description.   Or, read the description below.

APPLICATION PROCESS

If the program appeals to you, please fill out the following forms and return them to Newton Community Farm at 303 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA 02459. Applications accepted on a rolling basis throughout the summer. Apply early!  First come, first served!

* Application Form 2020 NCF High School Field Crew Internship Application Form

* Parental Consent Forms  High School Intern Parental Consent Forms 2020

* Program Description (requires your signature to indicate you have read it) 2020 NCF High School Field Crew Intern Program Description

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Thank you for your interest in Newton Community Farm’s (NCF) High School Field Crew Intern program. Please read the following overview of the farm and program and consider whether this is the right place for you. A good match between you and the farm is important to making the summer a positive experience.

About the Farm

NCF is a small, suburban educational farm located at 303 Nahanton Street, Newton MA 02459. We grow crops on 1.2 of our 2.25 acres. Our goals are to demonstrate what can be done on a very small piece of land, and to encourage people to apply what they learn at the farm to their own homes. We are very productive on a very small piece of land and distribute our produce through five main channels including:

*  an `80 shares’ summer Community Supported Agriculture program (CSA) and a `25+ shares’ late fall CSA program

*  one farmers’ market per week (July through October)

*  our small, on-site farm stand five days per week (April through November)

*  weekly donations during the growing season to local food pantries and occasionally to produce gleaner groups,  and

*  periodic sales to restaurants.

As you consider whether this is the right place for you this summer, please be aware that it is okay to have little or no farming or gardening experience. You should, however, be prepared to work hard and have a positive attitude.

Time Commitment

Each intern will work a trial period of three days per week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) for two consecutive weeks with session starting June 30, July 14, July 28, and August 11.   There is a limit of  six interns for each session.  We start promptly at 8 am and work until 12 pm with a short break at 10 am.  Though not mandatory, interns are also welcome to bring lunch and then eat with the farm team from 12 pm to 12:45 pm.   After this initial period, interns can request to work more weeks on the farm.  Please note this is at the sole discretion of the Farm Manager and is space dependent.

Internship Description

The Intern program has a number of goals. The most obvious of these is experience working on an intensive market garden (the traditional term for small vegetable farms). Our small size means that we try to utilize as much of our land for growing as possible; most of the work on the farm is done by hand. Our paths are narrow and the beds are planted intensively. Working on an intensive market garden requires focus, care and precision. You need to be able to work quickly and efficiently while paying attention to details and be able to follow verbal instructions.

Farming is also physically demanding. You need to be able to lift, bend, and kneel repeatedly. We work in all weather conditions—hot or cold, wet or dry. The only thing that brings us in out of the field is dangerous weather (e.g., lightening or tornados).  As they say, there is no such thing as poor weather, only poor clothing, so come prepared with proper clothing and accessories (i.e. rain gear if it’s raining, hat and sunscreen if it is sunny, etc.).

Another goal of the program is to enhance Interns’ sense of personal responsibility. We treat the Intern program as a job. You are responsible to get yourself to the farm on time. You are expected to work hard while you are here. If you are going to be late or cannot come in, you must inform the Farm Manager ahead of time. Since this is your job, you need to be the one communicating with the Farm Manager. Except in the case of emergencies, calls or emails from parents will not be returned.  A member of the farm staff will review your performance with you at the end of your initial two week period. As with all jobs at the farm, your position can be terminated at any time at the discretion of the Farm Manager.

A third goal of the program is to develop Interns’ leadership skills. You will be working not only with the Farm staff and other High School Interns, but the general public as well. You may be given the opportunity to supervise small groups of volunteers and/or instruct them on how we do things at the farm. These volunteers may often be older than you! NCF is a community farm, so it is important that you be comfortable working around other people and in both small and larger groups.

Finally, the most important thing to consider is: “Why am I interested in interning at Newton Community Farm?” The work can be quite rewarding, but is also hard and the pace often fast. Please think carefully about whether and how this appeals to you. We want you to get the most out of the Intern experience as possible so it is important that you really want to be here.

Application Process

If the program described above appeals to you, please fill out the required forms (see above) and return them to Newton Community Farm at 303 Nahanton Street, Newton, MA 02459 by June 15th (apply early to get your preferred weeks!  first come, first served).

I will notify applicants of their status in the program within a week of receiving the applications.  Please contact me at  newtoncommunityfarm@gmail.com if you want more information.

Cheers,

Greg Maslowe, Farm Manager, Newton Community Farm