Internships and Apprenticeships
Interns and apprentices at S&S Homestead Farm are most often graduate students in agronomy, ecological agriculture, nutritional science, pharmacognosy, landscape architecture and related fields who want to learn about sustainable food production through biodynamic farming methods, and carry out guided, individualized research. Interns also make important contributions to the development of farm infrastructure, such as a strawbale house.
Individualized programs, which will be developed by a guidance team consisting of the student, representatives of the student's academic department, WSU's Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR), and Henning Sehmsdorf (Adjunct Professor, CSANR, and farmer) will be implemented in two, complementary ways:
• Guided farm work emphasizing the practices of biodynamic agriculture, including integration of animals, flowers and vegetables; composting; soil preparation; seeding and transplanting; weed and pest control; irrigation; harvesting; processing and marketing.
• Independent readings, as well as on-farm research or applied projects as appropriate. Interns are expected to keep reflective journals, write reports on their readings and discuss their work at weekly farm seminars. A final, comprehensive project or demonstration will be evaluated by the guidance team.
The choice of on-farm research or applied project is up to the intern. A list of suggested projects that are practicable on this farm during the internship will be sent upon request. Interns select one or more of these projects depending on the length of their stay on the farm.
Desired Qualifications and Education
Interns generally have at least two years experience in growing row crops and in CSA management, and often come with whole farm management experience. Other desired skills are machine skills and maintenance, animal husbandry, bookkeeping, marketing, teaching experience, skill in developing comprehensive farm plans, excellent communication skills, and a college degree in relevant field. Interest in writing publishable articles concerning education and farm production is a plus.
Student interns who have completed an undergraduate degree or are in a graduate program are preferred. Well-qualified undergraduates will be considered. Interns interested in academic credit should arrange for this through their departmental faculty contacts at their home institutions.
Accommodations
On-farm housing, shower, laundry, and access to a fully equipped kitchen as well as food from the farm are available at cost. Interns are required to provide their own health insurance coverage. For interns to get the maximum benefit, the farm owners would like to host them for the entire planting/growing/harvesting season if students' schedules permit (April through October). The minimum stay is early May through mid-August.
If you are interested in finding out more about internships, please contact us. To apply, please fill out an application.