Regenerative Farming Internship
Regenerative Farming Seasonal [Paid] Internship – Community Track
Mountain Roots Food Project | Gunnison, Colorado
Compensation: $16.50/hour
Commitment: May-October, approx. 24 hrs per week
Reports To: Holly Conn, Executive Director
Mentored By: Susan Wyman (Gunnison Gardens) & Hannah Franko (Mountain Roots)
About Mountain Roots
Mountain Roots Food Project cultivates a resilient food system in Gunnison Valley by strengthening connections between earth, food, and community.
We steward Glacier Farm, a production farm in a high-elevation, short-season environment, as well as four youth / community gardens. We work in close partnership with Gunnison Gardens, a 4-acre regenerative farm and training ground for future farmers. Our community gardens engage students, neighbors, and residents in different marginalized groups in cold-climate organic food production at an individual scale, teaching life skills and building self-sufficiency. Above all, the farm and gardens positively impact equitable access to healthy, nutritious food and promote community food security.
Our programs integrate regenerative agriculture, community food security, environmental education, and workforce development.
Position Overview
The Regenerative Farming - Seasonal Community Track Internship is an introductory, immersive experience in regenerative agriculture and community food systems within a high-elevation, short-season growing environment. This role is designed for individuals seeking foundational, hands-on farm experience and exposure to community-centered food security work over the course of one growing season.
Interns are integrated into daily farm operations and community food programming, working alongside Registered Apprentices and farm staff while building core skills in production agriculture and food systems work.
This internship provides practical field experience and broad exposure to regenerative farming systems, without the full scope of classroom instruction, business management training, and long-term leadership progression included in the Registered Apprenticeship.
Key Responsibilities
Interns support (at an introductory level) many aspects of farm and food systems operations, including:
- Bed preparation, planting, cultivation, harvesting, washing, and packing
- Basic soil health practices including composting, mulching, and crop rotation
- Irrigation setup and monitoring
- Participation in community food security programs (distribution, gleaning, food access initiatives)
- Support at CSA distributions or farmers markets as needed
- Assisting with farm maintenance and infrastructure projects
- Contributing to recordkeeping and seasonal workflow
What You Gain
- Hands-on regenerative farming experience in a cold-climate production system
- Mentorship from experienced farmers and food systems leaders
- Training alongside Registered Apprentices
- Participation in field days and site visits to partner farms and ranches
- Exposure to community food security programming and outreach
- Professional development within a mission-driven food systems organization
This internship is ideal for individuals exploring farming or food systems careers and seeking strong foundational experience before pursuing advanced training or leadership pathways.
What We’re Looking For
You are a strong fit for this role if you:
- Demonstrated interest in sustainable agriculture, food systems, or community health
- Want to learn primarily through hands-on experience
- Are willing to do whatever the day requires — from harvesting carrots to moving irrigation lines to delivering food boxes to people in need
- Bring grit, reliability, and a strong work ethic
- Can work outdoors in variable weather conditions (heat, wind, cold, rain)
- Are able to lift 50–75 pounds and perform physically demanding farm labor
- Work well in a team and communicate clearly
- Have prior farming, gardening, landscaping, or outdoor labor experience (preferred but not required)
- Have access to a reliable vehicle (recommended)
How to Apply
Please email a resume and cover letter to:
director@mountainrootsfoodproject.org
In your cover letter, please respond to the following:
- What draws you to regenerative agriculture and/or community food systems at this stage in your life?
- Describe a time you worked hard physically or pushed through a challenge. What did you learn about yourself?
- What do you hope to gain from a single growing season immersed in this work?
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.