Ada Farm Intern

Ada Brand•Chicago, IL

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Ada Farm Coordinator, the Ada Farm Intern assists daily operations at the Ada Farm, a 1⁄4-acre fruit and vegetable farm located at 1863 South Wabash Avenue. The Ada Farm workforce development program supports employment opportunities for people with disabilities and the community. The Ada Farm Intern will participate in an augmented curriculum to deepen their horticultural knowledge, improve workforce skills, and learn to support individuals with developmental disabilities. The Ada Farm Intern will execute daily farm operations including bed preparation, planting, watering, plant care, integrated pest management, harvesting, buildout projects, and more. The Ada Farm Intern will also assist the Farm Coordinator in distributing fresh fruits and vegetables, expanding and supporting the farm program, and supporting volunteers and educational programs.

Requirements

Must be between the ages of 16-24
Believes in the organization’s vision, mission, and values.
An organized person who is skilled at following directions and executing daily tasks on an urban farm.
Has the ability to do outdoor physical labor 4-5 days/week at an efficient and consistent pace.
Has an expressed interest in working at an urban farm/garden.
Has an expressed interest in working with individuals with I/DD
Committed to ongoing personal and professional growth.
A self-motivated individual who’s able to complete tasks in an efficient manner.
Has experience working with Microsoft Office Suite or another organizational tool.
Can work in outdoor weather conditions and move supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.

Responsibilities

Attend weekly training with Farm Coordinator or ASM staff
Complete on-the-job activities in support of curriculum
Pass weekly quizzes for respective curriculum modules
Complete daily documentation and record keeping
Participate in daily farm operations including but not limited to: bed preparation, planting, watering, plant care, integrated pest management, harvesting, buildout projects
Build relationships with program participants, support their participation in farm operations
Adhere to standards set by Farm Coordinator in regards to farm cleanliness, food safety and documentation
With the support of the Farm Coordinator, interns will choose a special project to complete or focus area to study
Some examples of potential projects: soil science research & sampling, Farm Stand sales & marketing, designing a raised bed & crop plan, data entry & analysis skill building, additional learning about individuals with disabilities