Internship Opportunities at Wellspring Education Center & Organic Farm – West Bend/Newburg, WI
Wellspring Farm is a nonprofit education and retreat center with a history of 25 years of interns in its 20 season history. We are a 115 shareholder CSA and market farm. Five of the farm's 36 acres are devoted to growing vegetables, herbs and some fruit as well as maintaining a small flock of laying hens. Wellspring also offers many youth and adult education classes at the farm as well as being a Bed and Breakfast, retreat center, and international hostel, Wellspring is located in a peaceful valley surrounded by green space, directly across Milwaukee River from Newburg, 5 miles from West Bend, 15 minutes from Lake Michigan and 35 minutes from the city of Milwaukee. The mission of Wellspring Inc. is to inspire and teach people to grow, prepare and eat healthy food. In so do doing, we transform food systems and build community.
We have a number of permaculture projects and are in the process of transitioning 20 acres of farm land that has been used in conventional ag for 20+ years to being certified organic by 2017 (2018 at latest) with an intensive program to rebuild the soil and use for our production as well as establishing an incubator program for young farmers.
Two internship positions are available as soon as possible to 9/30/2016 and 10/31/16. Apply by
Interns will learn from the Co-Farm Managers Caleb Trainor (intern at Wellspring in 2012 and then owner of Blue Wolf Farm thru previous season) and Theresa Gauss (former intern at EverGood Farm and past nearly 4 years at Organic Valley). Former Farm Manager and owner of Wild Ridge Farm, Alissa Moore, is contracted for additional training and guidance.
A primary focus of the agricultural activity at Wellspring is the long-running CSA program. We are certified organic and will offer 115 shares for the regular 2016 season as well as 70+ fall/winter shares. Interns will experience and participate in every aspect of managing a diversified vegetable farm, including greenhouse seeding, direct seeding, transplanting, weeding, irrigating and harvesting.
In addition to the CSA, we participate in one weekly Farmers Market and sell to a handful of restaurants, specialty grocers and local school districts. Interns will take part in all aspects of food distribution, as well as, staffing the market booth. After spending a time on our farm, interns will learn much of what is necessary to run a small-scale, certified organic veggie farm.
Our work week runs Mon -Fri and everySaturday(at the farmers market.) We try and maintain a 45 hour a week schedule, working longer hours during peak season and shorter hours if possible in October. There is a rotating schedule for who works the farmers markets so that occasional Saturdays can be taken off for the interns.
To apply send a cover letter, resume, and 3 professional references towith Farm Intern Application in the subject line. Positions are open immediately until filled. Call262-488-4747should you be interested and are seeing this posting afterApril 30, 2016.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Wellspring is a member of Upper Midwest CRAFT (Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training), Fair Share and WLFN. Interns gain access to the benefits of these regional networks of over 75 farms, representing a wide diversity of farming practices and scales of operation. Other learning opportunities include participation in Wellspring's education classes which may include Home Gardening and Cooking classes; an Intern Garden Plot where experiments are encouraged. (All after work or as the regular farm schedule permits.) In the fall, food preservation methods including canning and fermentation will also be taught.
WORK EXPERIENCE/SKILLS DESIRED
Experience growing vegetables, fruits and herbs organically a plus, but not required. Desire to learn by doing, a positive attitude and ability to live together with others on the farm is a must. • Commitment to Wellspring’s mission and desire to work in a nonprofit setting • Need to be willing to work in agricultural environment despite weather and pest conditions • Welcoming, flexible and adaptable and able to live in community and develop and/or enhance communication skills • Ability to represent the farm and Wellspring to the public in a professional manner
MEALS
Lunch is eaten together with the farm team three days/week with interns each taking one day, every other week to prepare the meal. Basic staples and kitchen space are provided for other meals. Eggs provided by small flock of hens.
STIPEND
$500/month, veggies from the farm and many other staples (including beans, grains and occasionally cheese, yogurt and meat as agreed upon by the crew) are provided.Includes Wifi, laundry room, all utilities, great artesian well water, and no commute to work.
HOUSING
Each employee is provided a bedroom. Kitchen, bathrooms and living space are shared with other farm team members