On-farm Production Internship/ Business Partnership
ON FARM PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE/HORTICULTURE/ PERMACULTURE INTERNSHIP / A Business Partnership.
Viola Gardens is a small start-up regenerative agriculture farm located 14 miles north of Moscow Idaho. The farm is a startup run by Jamin Smitchger (Ph.D Plant Science). The entire farm is off-grid and reliant on renewable energy. Currently over 100 different crops are being grown on approximately 2 acres in Viola, ID, and .25 acres in Lewiston, Idaho. These crops are sold on-farm via u-pick, and at local farmers markets and restaurants. Viola Gardens has a small community of people who live on-farm as well as occasional volunteers and many u-pick customers.
The On-Farm Production Intern is responsible for supporting the Farm Manager in the overall market garden planning & implementation of production for the Viola Gardens Farm. The position is more or less seasonal, with total hours and weeks determined by length of season, revenue, and availability. Preference will be given to UI or WSU undergraduate students or graduate students studying agriculture. Employment hours are fairly flexible and can be part-time or less than part-time, but July and August are generally the busiest months.
Responsibilities:
Assist with crop planning, planting and harvesting.
Run equipment including tillers and the tractor.
Assist with greenhouse and hoophouse production.
Communicate regularly and effectively with the farm manager, volunteers, and customers with regard to needs and produce availability.
Assume a regular planting and farm work schedule to maximize production.
Assist with the harvesting and transportation of produce as necessary.
Assist with harvest and prep for farmstand, restaurant, or other markets.
Inventory and properly maintain all equipment and farm property.
Participate in education, supervision and mentorship of volunteers & interns
Help u-pick customers
Assist with marketing and advertising throughout the season
Maintain and sanitize vegetable packing line and bins.
Follow Food Safety Modernization Act guidelines.
Conduct business in a manner that promotes the health and wellbeing of the farm long term.
Skills and Experience:
No experience is necessary and training will be provided; however, it is preferred that the applicant is a UI Undergraduate student or Graduate student with a major in agriculture or a related field. High School or University coursework related to agriculture or horticulture and experience with farm operations and farm management is a plus. Someone who has been raised on a farm and understands farm life and agricultural risk would be highly desired. Interest in being an entrepreneur and running a business is greatly desired.
Experience with organic farming, produce sales, handling, and CSA programs
Ability to lift at least 40 pounds, operate machinery, perform physical labor
Strong interpersonal skills, demonstrated experience and ability to work with diverse populations and age groups
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions
Commitment to safety first
Good written and verbal communication skills
Comfortable leading groups in varied projects
Productive, independent, efficient worker
Open to input from others in group
Experience in marketing and public relations a plus
Experience in fundraising or grant writing a plus
Own reliable transportation, or be qualified to use farm vehicles
Must pass a background check and be completely honest.
Compensation: In many cases this would be considered to be an unpaid internship since compensation is based on a crop share with existential risks. It is expected that a full-time intern would receive ~20% of the crop returns, which could be zero in a bad production year. This is ultimately a business partnership, not a job. Farming is one of the riskiest professions. It is recommended that the intern have some means of supporting themselves besides the farm, or to live on the farm and use the farm resources to reduce living costs. The intern would be a full partner in the farm business and receive a crop share based on farm receipts and the amount of effort they put toward this venture. The crop inputs would be paid for by the farm. However, farming is a gamble, and a single hailstorm could destroy an entire crop in 15 minutes. Favorable weather conditions could produce a high yielding crop as well. This position would give the intern direct experience with the joys and challenges of farming. Compensation would be dependent on weather conditions, equipment breakdowns, crop failures, and the abilities and strengths of the intern. This position has direct exposure/ risk to the problems, challenges, and risks facing small scale production agriculture in the United States.
Contact
509-979-2336
Feel free to stop by the farm at 5247 Highway 95, Viola, ID 83872. It is 14 miles north of Moscow, ID.