MKG Farm Crew Intern (Student Wage)

University of Virginia•Charlottesville, VA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

This is an undergraduate student wage position focused on the practice of sustainable agriculture for food production, with 6-10 scheduled hours weekly. The Morven Kitchen Garden is seeking UVA students passionate about sustainable agriculture and community outreach to join the farm crew. Farm crew members will gain hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture, including crop selection and season planning, vegetable cultivation for soil health, natural resource management, and the tools and techniques of small-scale agriculture. They will also lead educational and service events. The role involves learning about regenerative agriculture topics such as seed-saving, food sovereignty, reduced tillage, and integrated pest management. This position is grounded in the Morven Sustainability Lab's (MSL) Strategic Action Plan: EXPLORE (the future matters), EXPERIENCE (today matters), and CO-CURATE (the past matters). UVA students from all disciplinary backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Current full-time student at UVA (both graduate and undergraduate students welcome)
Must have reliable means of transportation to and from their work shift each day.
Must be able to interact and communicate respectfully with persons of all backgrounds.
Ability to safely lift 40 pounds unassisted.

Nice To Haves

An interest in farming and/or gardening.
Passion for sustainability and/or natural resource management
Attention to detail, good listening, and communication skills.
The ability to work both as part of a team and independently.

Responsibilities

Create and support experimental labs and classrooms dedicated to discovering models, practices, and narratives that renew our connections to one another and to other species, propelling us toward a sustainable future.
Learn and lead activities in planting, weeding, harvesting, and operating farm equipment (including weed whackers and tractors), building practical skills in small-scale sustainable agriculture.
Assist the Morven faculty/staff team in executing the MSL Strategic Action Plan, contributing to Morven’s role as a living laboratory for sustainable land practices.
Be part of a student leadership team that imagines new initiatives and coordinates with Morven staff on workshops, guest speakers, new projects, and other programming that advances MSL’s sustainability mission.
Engage the community through volunteer events, educational workshops, and food security outreach, creating meaningful connections between people and Morven’s landscape.
Be an ambassador to the world of sustainable food, land stewardship, and more to the 500+ volunteers who serve at our garden annually.
Wash, weigh, and pack fresh produce for distribution through UVA Dine wholesale, local food insecurity efforts, and our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) membership program.
Create and share social media posts and website content to share Morven’s story with a broader audience.
Maintain accurate logs and organized records in compliance with GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certification, contributing to an archive that honors the ongoing story of Morven’s land stewardship.
Capture photos and videos of programs and save them to the MKG archive, preserving a visual record of Morven’s evolving land practices and community connections for future stewards.
Learn and share the art of seed-saving of crops of cultural importance, and contribute to our seed donation program.