Animal Farm

Internship Program, Summer 2011

At Animal Farm, interns shall be involved in all aspects of the farm. This entails not only the physical rigors involved in farming, but the strategic and organizational aspects as well. Small-scale organic farming offers a rewarding but demanding work environment and experience. Please consider all aspects of this commitment before applying.

Typical work week:

Classes and instruction will be held in addition to work at various times during the week.

• Monday: Fieldwork
• Tuesday: Harvesting and organizing for the Houston Farmers Market and any deliveries
• Wednesday: Working either the Houston or Austin Farmers Markets and any Austin deliveries
• Thursday: Fieldwork
• Friday: Harvesting and organizing for Houston and Austin Farmers Markets as well as any restaurant orders.
• Saturday: Working either the Austin Farmers Market or the two Houston Farmers Markets
• Sunday: Working one of the two Houston Farmers Markets
  (depending on what farmers market each intern is working, they will have at least one full weekend day off. Farmers market days will not be full days)

Types of work interns will be involved in:

• Field work: seeding, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, watering
• Greenhouse: seeding, transplanting, watering
• Wash Station: washing, sorting and packing
• Distribution: delivering to restaurants and CSA orders, sales at farmers markets
• Animal Care: collecting eggs, feeding
• Organization: designing newsletter, strategizing for farmers markets and marketing initiatives

Employment Details:

Interns work full time (6 days a week) with our staff for a six-month period beginning in mid May and ending in November. The typical day working on the farm is from 7 am to 5 pm with an hour lunch break. Market days vary depending on the market, but interns will alternate through various farmers markets, each lasting 3-4 hours with an hour to hour and a half set up and take down time. Interns are compensated as follows:

Housing on farm, in shared apartment with other interns with kitchen and bath
Stipend $100 per week Farm produce and eggs as season provides
Classes Permaculture held in Houston and on the farm (on subjects from solar energy, organic farming to sustainability and permaculture) in addition to workshops and retreats held on the farm from yoga to sustainable living, all of which are available at no cost. For more information on classes and workshops held at Animal Farm, please visit website at: animalfarmcenter.com

Qualifications:

We are looking for hardworking, reliable individuals who can follow directions and communicate well with others. Applicants will start at the end of March, or the first available start date, and work until the end of September-October. There will be a two-week trial period in the beginning of the internship, after which a six-month contract must be signed but can be extended if desired. Having strong people skills, the ability to take initiative and the physical aptitude to work with your hands daily lifting up to lift 50 lbs are all requirements for this position. Interns should expect to work outside in all weather conditions including rain and summer heat. Interns are also required to have valid driver’s licenses and be able to drive large vans. Previous farming experience is preferred, but not required, although it is essential that candidates be committed to the farming lifestyle along with its demands.

Along with fieldwork and farmers markets, interns will be asked to assist in strategizing in marketing and community involvement aspects of the farm, such as open houses, school field trips and events. Not only will interns work together to produce a monthly newsletter, but also they will brainstorm ways to improve on farmers market set up, workshops and other community involvement events. Interns will work together with farmers to increase efficiency and organization in the farming process.

Interns will work six days a week, but work will be paralleled with educational opportunities highlighting the benefits of organic food, sustainability, solar energy, permaculture and market farming. Additional free time and breaks can be worked out given proper advance notice.

Hiring Process:

Please email a cover letter, resume and internship application to the farm’s email address (gita@trcat.com). If you meet the qualifications we will contact you to schedule a phone or in person interview. Once hired, interns will complete a two-week trial period, during which time both the farmer and intern can determine whether this is a good match. After completing the trial period, the farm or intern may end employment or commit to the full season. Decisions will be made by March 14th, 2011.

Application Procedure

Thank you for your interest in applying for an internship at Animal Farm. This application is an opportunity for both you and our staff to determine if your expectations and our internship program is a good match. Please answer the questions below to the best of your ability.

Requirements

• Valid driver’s license
• We cannot house partners or pets of interns on the farm
• Living quarters will be shared with other interns, so upkeep of personal space is required
• Weekly hours will range from 40-65 depending on time of season, farmers markets and the weather
• You must provide your own transportation to and from either Houston or Austin, once internship begins, you will have use of farm vans for transport
• There will be a two week trial period at the beginning of your internship, at the end of which either you or the farm may terminate the internship. We will schedule a meeting at the end of this trial period to determine whether internship is a good fit.
• There is no smoking on the farm and respect of farm property is expected