The UBC Farm is launching a new for credit summer internship program this summer. This is a great way for UBC students to gain hands on experience at the UBC Farm while earning course credit. The student internships are 4 months long, part-time unpaid internships aimed at engaging students with their local food system while gaining real-world work experience. The deadline for applications is Friday March 25th, 2011 at 5pm. There are four intern positions available in three areas:
Please click here for Field Intern posting
Market Intern posting
Administration Intern posting
Fresh Sunflower Sprouts from "My Urban Farm."
Also, UBC student Chris Thoreau of My Urban Farm is seeking an enthusiastic applicant for a paid urban farming apprenticeship. Chris initiated his successful sunflower sprouts production business at the UBC Farm a couple of summers ago as a Directed Study, and the apprenticeship would be a marvellous learning opportunity for anyone interested in both the practical and philosophical aspects of urban food production.
My Urban Farm is offering a paid urban farming apprenticeship position for the 2011 growing season. The position will be mainly focused on sunflower sprout production, distribution and marketing but may also include other work such as harvesting and maintaining other gardens; attending farmers’ markets; record-keeping; and marketing. The apprenticeship would be for approximately 10-15 hours a week (or more as other projects arise) from late April through September.
This position will offer mostly on-the-job learning, though Chris will also offer many resources for extended learning opportunities including complementary skills such as no-till soil management; small-scale composting; irrigation, small-scale construction, and bicycle maintenance; as well as literature and resources on soils, organic gardening and many other topics. Yes, you may have some homework!
The ideal candidate for this position would:
- Have flexible availability
- Be reliable with a good work ethic and exceptional attention to detail
- Have good time management skills – especially punctuality
- Be able to work alone and with others
- Be clean and hygienic (mostly for sprouts - go ahead and get dirty in the garden)
- Be healthy and in good shape – some heavy lifting and cycling required
- Be enthusiastic about sustainable agriculture
- Be able to work outside in adverse conditions (but hopefully not too many days!)
- Good communication and listening skills
- Ideally live in, or close to, the Strathcona area (which is where the sprouts are grown)
- No previous gardening experience is required; but a commitment to learning is absolutely necessary
Pay, Hours, and Application
You must be available for work at the following times, which are harvest days:
Tuesdays: 8:00 am – ~1:00 pm
Fridays: 8:00 am – ~2:00 pm
This position pays $12.00/hour with opportunities for bonuses.
Application Deadline: Monday, April 11, 2011
Expected Start Date: Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Please apply with cover letter and resume (or the equivalent in whatever form makes you most happy and best communicates you and your skills) to Chris at: myurbanfarm@gmail.com.
