Length of internship: May 3– October 13
Hours: 6-8 hours/week
Applicants must be available on class days: Wednesday evenings from 4-8pm and the second Saturday
of each month from 8:30am-12:30pm. Hours used for meetings with the greater VGN team and social
media presence are more flexible.
Position Summary:
This is a full-season opportunity to gain practical experience in organic gardening and learn teaching
techniques in the context of an educational garden. The intern will work closely with the Lead Instructor
to run the 6-month long organic gardening course for adults. This is a dynamic position to take on the
responsibility of being both a teaching assistant to support the instructor and students, and a garden
assistant to maintain our educational garden site. A full-season commitment is required, with variable
weekly hours reflecting garden needs and class activities.
Primary Duties:
● Assist the Lead Instructor to prepare materials and tidy up after weekly garden classes
● Participate in various hands-on gardening activities including seeding, transplanting, watering,
harvesting, mulching, weeding, and pest management
● Participate in garden site maintenance tasks such as shed cleanup, tool inventories, and signage
● Co-facilitate garden work days for students and occasional volunteers
● Document the course through photographs and videos
● Share/like VGN’s social media posts
Skills & Qualifications:
● Interest in organic farming/gardening, community-based gardening, food systems, experiential
education
● Prior hands-on experience in organic vegetable, flower, and/or herb gardening is preferred
● Familiarity and active engagement with social media (Facebook, Instagram)
● Willingness to work outside and do physical work in all weather conditions
● Able and willing to work independently, as well as in partnership with program staff
● Ability to be flexible due to shifting needs of the program, students, and garden
● Willingness to take initiative and motivation to seek new learning opportunities
● Strong work ethic and ability to interact with the public in a professional and courteous manner
Compensation:
We can offer a stipend or academic credit. A $590 stipend is offered upon completion
of the internship. Or, students from accredited academic institutions may be able to receive academic
credit. The intern also enjoys garden perks such as a weekly harvest of fresh produce, make & take items
created during Saturday classes (i.e. herbal products, plant dyed fabric), and access to abundant seeds
and seedlings, if interested.
Applications due:
April 3, 2023
Candidates will be interviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We encourage early
applicants. BIPOC, queer & trans folks are strongly encouraged to apply!
To apply:
Please email a cover letter, resume, and a professional reference to:
Angela deBettencourt, the Partnerships & Engagement Manager, via angela(at)vtgradens.org.
To learn more about the Thriving Gardens Course that this internship position would be
supporting, please visit our website - vtgardens.org