Unity Gardens Internship

Description

MISSION

Interns will be working primarily at the flagship garden location (3701 Prast Blvd. South Bend, IN 46628) with our full time staff and our intern team. We find value working with our interns to discover what they are passionate about, what knowledge and skills they already possess, and where they would like to grow. Interns will have the opportunity to engage with the various operations that Unity Gardens employs to continue growing food and community for all. After experiencing each facet of the organization, interns have the option to specialize their specific interests to help achieve the goals of the mission. The internship at Unity Gardens primarily focuses on the following:

Sustainable Agriculture

Our main location is 7.2 acres and spans four greenhouses, native spaces, food forests, traditional garden plots and a four-season geodesic dome. To manage all these spaces, we utilize sustainable agriculture methods. We’re a no-till garden that uses no pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. We incorporate beneficial insects, crop rotation, and companion planting into our growing system. Besides crop management, we also take care of bee hives, a flock of chickens and a goat at our main location. 

Many of our programs are focused on engaging our community, through garden guiding, harvest help, free education, volunteerism, and other programming. Many people are removed from the farm and the origin sources of food, so interns serve as garden guides to teach people about harvesting and preparing produce and generally engage garden visitors to develop the relationships that keep them returning. 

The Farmer's Market is an ongoing fundraiser that keeps Unity Gardens running. We harvest from our market garden to provide produce and hand make soap, balms, candles and more at our Welcome Center. Interns will engage with the community via representing Unity Gardens at the South Bend Farmers Market, marketing and selling our handmade merchandise, and informing patrons of our program offerings.

Even More:

Because Unity works in a broad scope of areas, interns can also take part in other programs at Unity Gardens if they would like. Interns have the opportunity to teach a free class over the summer (on topics ranging from gardening, sustainability, cooking, nutrition etc) and to take a bigger role in developing the curriculum for our Edgy Veggie program. We repaint signs, benches, and tables in the garden every year, and interns can take a leading role in that as well. Interns can also improve our social media presence, conduct environmental or social science research at our site, fundraise, or connect with our satellite garden locations. 

Responsibilities

DIRECT CONTACT WITH POPULATION SERVED: Interns will work directly with and report to Katie, our Director of Operations and check in with her periodically throughout the internship. Interns will also work alongside other staff members as they find the type of work they most enjoy. 

 

ORIENTATION: During the months of April through September hours are consistently needed. We are looking for full time interns (40 hours/week) for a minimum of 12 weeks that are available to work during our operating hours in the summer which ranges from 7 am to 9 pm every day of the week.

Qualifications

Work responsibilities require comfortability with heavy lifting and physical labor 

Contact Information