Morven Kitchen Garden Farm Crew Intern (Student Wage)

University of Virginia•Charlottesville, VA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Morven Kitchen Garden is seeking UVA students interested in sustainable agriculture and community outreach to join its farm crew as paid interns. The internship provides hands-on experience in crop selection and season planning, vegetable cultivation for soil health, natural resource management, small-scale agriculture tools and techniques, and leading educational and service events. Interns will also learn about regenerative agriculture, including seed-saving, food sovereignty, reduced tillage, soil ecology and nutrient cycling, and integrated pest management. The role supports the three goals of the Morven Sustainability Lab Strategic Action Plan: EXPLORE, EXPERIENCE, and CO-CURATE. Interns help develop and support sustainable agriculture learning activities and initiatives, engage the community through volunteer events and educational outreach, and document and preserve the history of Morven’s land stewardship. The position is for the spring academic semester at UVA, with the option to continue during the summer if performance is satisfactory. It is 10 hours per week while classes are in session and 20 hours per week during UVA’s summer vacation. Interns must work a consistent weekly schedule between Monday and Friday, 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.; occasional evening or weekend shifts may be required. Compensation is $15 per hour, with a portion of the farm’s fresh produce included.

Requirements

Be a current full-time UVA student; undergraduate and graduate students are welcome.
Provide a resume and cover letter with the application.
Have a reliable means of transportation to and from work shifts.
Be able to interact and communicate respectfully with people of all backgrounds.
Be able to safely lift up to 40 pounds unassisted.
Be able to work outdoors in varied weather conditions, including heat, cold, and rain.
Work a consistent weekly schedule within Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Have an interest in farming and/or gardening.
Have attention to detail, good listening skills, and good communication skills.
Be able to work both independently and as part of a team.

Nice To Haves

Passion for sustainability and/or natural resource management.

Responsibilities

Participate in planting, weeding, harvesting, and operating farm equipment, including weed whackers and tractors.
Assist the Morven faculty and staff team in carrying out the Morven Sustainability Lab Strategic Action Plan.
Contribute to student-led initiatives and coordinate with Morven staff on workshops, guest speakers, projects, and other sustainability programming.
Engage the community through volunteer events, educational workshops, and food security outreach.
Serve as an ambassador for sustainable food and land stewardship to the garden’s volunteers.
Wash, weigh, and pack fresh produce for UVA Dine wholesale, local food insecurity efforts, and the Community Supported Agriculture membership program.
Create and share social media posts and website content about Morven.
Maintain accurate logs and organized records in compliance with Good Agricultural Practices certification.
Photograph and record programs and save materials to the Morven Kitchen Garden archive.
Learn and share seed-saving practices for crops of cultural importance and contribute to the seed donation program.