Farm Internship at DeLaney Community Farm 

Agency Mission:

Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) is a nonprofit organization, dedicated to building community, one urban garden at a time. Denver Urban Gardens has built and currently manages over 115 community gardens, small parks and the DeLaney Community Farm. We strongly believe that gardens are not only a source of inexpensive food for urban people, but also a place of connection to develop community, promote healthy living, develop skills and empower individuals to strengthen and beautify their communities.

DeLaney Community Farm is an organic, community agriculture facility. The Farm currently distributes food through a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, Farmer’s Markets, and events.  The Farm also offers courses in compost training, bee keeping, and various other workshops related to organic gardening and urban farming.  The Farm is located on 128 acres of historic farmland in Aurora with a preserved stream corridor, large cottonwood grove, and historic barns and houses on the premises.  As a result, the Farm is a wonderful place to educate children about wildlife and how natural cycles relate to the farm.  The programs at the farm offer agrarian job and skills-building opportunities to young children, underserved youth, and other at-risk individuals in the community.  Shareholders come from a broad range of backgrounds.

The Farm’s goals are to provide healthy, locally produced food for people of all socio--economic levels and serve as an example of urban agriculture; use organic practices that protect our soil, water, air and wildlife; emphasize quality over quantity; and educate and reconnect people with the land that sustains them.

Job Description:

We are looking for motivated seasonal interns with a passion for urban farming, community building, efficiency, and sustainability and a willingness to do hard work in all kinds of weather.  Sustained energy and a love of physical labor are essential to the farm’s success.  We look for applicants eager to learn about plants and their production. It is an opportunity to learn hands-on, but you will learn the most as someone who is committed to your own education as a learner.

Will work with the Operations Coordinator on activities that include, but are not limited to:

• Seed or transplant, cultivate, and vegetables, herbs, flowers, and other crops using organic practices
• Harvest, clean, divide and distribute produce to shareholders
• Supervise youth, adult, and community workgroups and volunteers
• Provide educational tours
• Construct, maintain and repair irrigation systems
• Work on improving weed and pest control
• Operation of Farm Stand onsite and Farmers Markets offsite
• Competently perform farm operations by the end of the season
• Maintain enthusiasm about the work at the DeLaney Community Farm  

Skills Needed:

• Ability to do outdoor, repetitive, sometimes tedious, physically demanding work
• Self-motivation, flexibility, creativity, attention to detail, and an awareness of personal and farm safety
• Some knowledge of organic farming a plus, but not necessary with a good attitude and strong work ethic
• Willingness to collaborate with DUG staff, farm staff, other interns, shareholders and community groups
• High comfort level in diverse settings and diverse communities

Benefits:

• Organic agriculture training
• Working for an organization that benefits diverse communities
• Free organic produce
• Stipend
• Note: housing is not offered

Timeframe and hours:

Mid-April through October, 28 hours per week, work hours can range 7:00am – 7:00pm (occasional evenings, and Saturdays)

Available positions: 2

The deadline to apply is February 15th, 2012:

Please send resume, letter of interest, and 3 employer references to:

Denver Urban Gardens
Attn: Faatma Mehrmanesh
3377 Blake Street, Suite 113
Denver, CO 80205

Email: faatma@dug.org
Fax: 303.292.9911

Click here to learn more about DeLaney.