Organic Farm Internships for 2010

Green Earth Institute has a 49-acre diversified organic vegetable farm located in the western suburbs of Chicago. We lease the farm land at the McDonald Farm, owned by The Conservation Foundation, in south Naperville. The farm is the centerpiece of the Green Earth Institute, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to nutritional health and environmental sustainability.

This will be our eighth year of farming. Our major market is our CSA, which has grown to nearly 700 households. For the 2010 season we are planting 40 different vegetables and herbs on approximately 18 of our acres. The remainder of the land has cover crops of alfalfa and red clover.

Green Earth Institute has internship positions available for persons who are interested in helping with and learning about organic vegetable farming in the 2010 season. Our plan is to have two interns work the period April 19 to October 1, and an additional two interns work the period June 7 to August 27.

Interns have the opportunity to learn about farming by doing, including planting, cultivating, greenhouse operations, harvesting, and post-harvest handling. In addition, as members of the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT), we make it possible for our interns to take part in off-farm learning experiences--CRAFT workshops at organic farms in the region periodically through the season.

Applicants should be physically capable, energetic, and willing to work outside in the weather. Our crew of hired hands, interns, and community volunteers works hard and has fun at the same time. Intern work hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. We provide an intern stipend of $9.00/hour ($360/wk.) plus farm vegetables in season. Individuals with farm experience may qualify for a higher stipend amount. Housing is not available at the farm, so this internship opportunity is best suited for people residing in the western suburbs of Chicago who can drive/bicycle to the farm.

To apply for a 2010 internship, contact us.