Garden Internship
Garden Internship at Hancock Shaker Village
Hancock Shaker Village is a vibrant living history museum and working farm in the Berkshires region of western Massachusetts. The Village is a National Historic Landmark dedicated to sharing the history, legacy, and continuing relevance of the Shakers. Find out
more at https://hancockshakervillage.org/.
Garden Internship
We are looking for hardworking, joyful interns to work alongside our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) manager and other garden staff to cultivate our extensive vegetable gardens, located at the heart of our historic site. You will expand your knowledge of sustainable vegetable production in such areas as plant health; weed, disease and insect management; crop rotation plans; seed starting and care of young plants; greenhouse management; and planting and harvesting schedules. You will also help with the preparations for and operating of the weekly CSA pick-up. You will use historic and modern tools and learn more about historic as well as contemporary gardening practices best suited for creating a sustainable, regenerative farm. You will enhance communication skills in interactions with the public and CSA shareholders.
What you will do:
Harvest and prepare produce for weekly CSA shares and staff the CSA pick-up.
Write the weekly CSA newsletter.
Early in the internship, care for young plants, prep garden beds, and plant vegetable
starts
Work in the greenhouse to care for plant starts and plants, such as tomatoes, that are
grown in the greenhouse
Monitor the weather and water as conditions require
Weeding—lots of weeding--with various methods such as mulching, cultivation, hand-
pulling, and hand-hoeing
Depending upon needs and interests, you may also maintain the medicinal herb garden, help with occasional barn and livestock chores, and assist with Village initiatives that present the sustainable working farm to the public.
Qualifications
The ideal garden intern should have a strong commitment to sustainable
agriculture; have demonstrated ability to take direction and to work both independently and as part of a team; have success working in a dynamic environment; be able to lift at least 30
pounds; and have a fitness level that allows working actively outdoors for extended periods in all kinds of weather (heat, humidity, rain, wind, cold spells—the plants need care no matter
what!) An interest in history is a plus; prior experience with gardening is helpful but not
required. Patience is essential.
Onsite housing is provided. Interns must provide their own food and transportation; access to a car during the internship is highly recommended for a better experience but is not required. Shared kitchen facilities are part of the internship housing.