Come farm with us!
Located in Lake Placid, NY, North Country School is a junior boarding and day school for students in grades 4-9. The school educates and nurtures children today in such a way that they develop the resourcefulness and skills they need for tomorrow. For over 75 years North Country School has achieved this by placing daily and equal emphasis on arts and outdoor education and by upholding values, such as our commitment to the environment and the importance of working as a community.
Camp Treetops is a 100 year old overnight summer camp for children ages 8-14 years old, which nurtures an inclusive community with an emphasis on values that remain vital to this day - child-centered education, the fostering of self-reliance and self-confidence, living in harmony with nature, and preserving a child's world through a summer unplugged.
We're seeking 1 year round livestock intern for the 2024-2025 season from the start of June 2024 through the end of May 2025.
Job Description
As a year round livestock intern, you will work at the barn caring for and learning about chickens, turkeys, sheep, goats, pigs, and horses. Throughout the year you will lead children through daily barn chores, caring for the animals as they grow and change with the seasons, each of which brings its own lessons- to both the farmers and the classrooms. Together our community will harvest chickens and turkeys, monitor ewes for signs of labor, and work together to stack hay in the barns for winter. You will support the garden spaces during all school events on the farm, and during maple sugaring. As a farm intern you will experience a space where physical labor meets academic instruction and you’ll be an integral part of sharing that with campers and students over the course of the days, weeks, and months.
During the camp season from June through August you will lead twice daily chores with campers and counselors at the barn, and in the pasture on a weekly rotation. Each week, you will offer 1-2 hour long activities with campers in the camp you are working in (Junior 8-11 or Senior 12-14). These activities are focused on farming and the natural environment here in the Adirondacks. These activities can be whimsical and based on your personal interests and connecting the farm to our campers experience. You will participate in and lead weekly community mornings during the summer in each camp, where a large farm related job takes place.
Each week during the school year from September through May you will support an Edible Schoolyard (ESY) class. Here, you will share connections from our farm to the classroom. There is an expectation that you will help incorporate the farm into core classes throughout the year. Each week you will offer a few “out times”. These are outside and active activities at the end of the school day that bring students to the farm and the outdoors. The farm works together to head tables during family style meals. The school year is a balance between working on the farm and supporting the school program. Your day will be a mix of both farm work and working within the school community. You will be a part of weekend programming working both on the farm and with students. Being a part of the school community includes going to all school events where we can come together and share our work with one another.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- 21+
- One year of animal care experience
- A strong work ethic, timeliness, and an eye for detail and efficiency
- Upbeat, able to find joy in simple moments, willingness to laugh and have fun. We work closely together and camaraderie is part of the joy of farmwork.
- Clear verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work both independently and part of a team
- Proactive and forward thinking, both in daily farm tasks and your own education. Even if there is no explicit instruction happening, there are always opportunities to learn
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs, kneel for long periods, and be comfortable with repetitive tasks. There are often long days spent doing physical work in a range of weather
- Night and weekend work
- A driver's license and clean driving record
Compensation
Year round farm interns receive a monthly stipend of $1,600 a month plus housing, all regular meals, and paid time off. Additionally, year round interns can elect to sign up for health insurance.
Ultimately, this year round farm internship can be your stepping stone. This is a great opportunity to learn more about growing food for your community and farm education. We’d like to be your guides in that journey!
How to Apply
To apply please send the following to [email protected]
a) Tell us about yourself; your interests, your longer term plans, why you want to work on an educational farm
b) What do you hope to learn?
e) What is your previous work experience on a farm or in a school?
g) What is your learning style?
i) Please include a resume.
j) Please provide 3 references from a previous work experience.
https://northcountryschool.org/
518-523-9329
4382 Cascade Road
Lake Placid NY 12946