Inturnships
Summer Internship Soul and Soil Based
Agro-Ecology
Are you interested in growing and distributing healthy vegetables and fruits? Do you want to learn about agroecology, food sovereignty and sustainable food systems? Are you keen to tap into the knowledge of an experienced and innovative farmer?
Linking Practice with Theory
Do you have a desire to learn about the challenges and practicalities of working towards a sustainable, healthy, viable food system that is fair and just for the earth, the consumer and the producer? Then why not join Frank and his whanau on the Wairarapa Eco Farm this summer?
Accommodation:
Interns can will be offered a room or can camp if they prefer over the warmer months. There is a shared kitchen, shower and compost toilet. A library/office is situated in the main house.
We are currently in the process of building natural eco cabins for our future interns.
Farm produce such as greens, eggs, meat is available for interns as the season provides.
Some house rules:
- It is your responsibility to take care of and clean personal and communal living space.
- You will be sharing the accommodation, so rules apply on behaviour
- We can pick you up from the bus station in town, or the train station in Featherston. We are 6 km from our nearest local town; a car or bicycle is a handy item to bring.
- We are unable to accommodate pets on the farm.
- Please no smoking on the farm, and we ask for responsible consumption of alcohol.
- Interns cook their own breakfast and lunch with food provided – dinner is generally communal and we all take turns cooking for the community here on the farm.
Course and Internship Description
This is an experiential learning program based on agroecology and soil quality, the prerequisites for quality food production with environmental care that lay the foundation for genuine progress/resilience in community development. The program is geared toward people interested in producing food quality and community development.
During the 10-week intensive course and internship program you will be involved in all aspects of our farm and work closely with the team.
Typically, Interns will learn about greenhouse management, field cultivation, irrigation systems, harvesting, post-harvest handling, and animal care. To give you an idea of what type of work interns will be doing
- Fieldwork: includes seeding, transplanting, weeding, thinning, trellising, field prep and harvesting.
- Greenhouse: seeding, thinning, transplanting, watering, and plant care/pest control.
- Distribution: small-scale sales, community trading.
- Animal care: feeding, watering, collecting eggs. Feed and water pigs, set up an electrical fence, and move paddocks.
Theory Day will be class-based and divided into two main areas. Firstly, the agroecological theory behind our actions on the farm is explained in detail. Over the period of your stay topics such as the basics of agroecology and food quality, soil, plants and animals, and how to (re)design, maintain and increase the throughput of a farming system will be covered. The course endeavours to give you a real understanding of what proper “organics” should be about, i.e. growing quality food the right way and with the right intentions. Secondly, we will show how to plan and grow year-round, structures and organisation, administration, and logistics. You will leave with a solid foundation and an understanding of how nature functions and how we can best fit into her systems. This will help ground you in the living world.
The personal project (you choose what interests you) will give you an opportunity to work with and learn from a practical situation, giving you the experience of putting the theory into practice and checking out for yourself if it might be something to pursue on your own terms.
Interns work side by side with our team. The typical schedule is 9:30 am to 3 pm, with a one-hour lunch break around noon but depending on the weather we might start earlier and/or finish later.
Internship Dates:
Last Date to Apply
20 November 2024
Start Date
2 December 2024
Christmas Holiday
20 December – 6 January
End Date
21 February 2025
Costs and Payments
Program fees are $2,750.00 NZD for the 10-week period which includes the course work, field training, and project mentorship, farm food supplies, and accommodation.
Summer Program
Registration Fee ($250.00)
Upon Registration
1st Deposit Due
20 Nov 2023: $1,250.00
2nd Deposit Due
7 Jan 2024: $1,250.00
Total Cost
$2,750.00
Cancellation Policy:
Cancellation of up to four weeks before the start of the program, you will receive a full refund, less registration fee. Cancellations made within four weeks of the start of the program, a 50% refund will be given, less registration fee.
Please note that we reserve the right to end your participation in the program at any stage, in case of indecent, violent or dangerous behaviour, without a refund. Working on the farm requires the physical capability to contribute daily in a rigorous, fast-paced agricultural setting. Farm work offers an incredibly rewarding and demanding work environment and life experience. Please consider this commitment before applying.
Application:
Please send a cover letter detailing your interest in our program, a resume and a completed Application Form. If you are successful we will contact you to schedule a phone or Skype meeting.
Applicant must have a valid tourist visa, work visa or be a NZ resident.