Farm Production Intern - Spring

Position: Production Intern

Hours: Minimum 10 hours weekly, Tuesday and Thursday mornings

Timeline: February 20 – May 16, 2024

Reports to: Farm Production Manager & Farm Production Coordinator

About Coastal Roots Farm

Coastal Roots Farm (CRF) is a nonprofit Jewish community farm and education center. We cultivate healthy, connected communities by integrating sustainable agriculture, food justice, and ancient Jewish wisdom.

We share organic produce with those who need it most and connect people to compelling Jewish ideas and traditions through farming and food. We distribute food through our on-site pay-what-you-can Farm Stand, pop up mobile farm stands, and donations to hunger relief organizations. We offer hands-on education and experiences through School and Group Visits, Farm Camp Farm Tours, Volunteer Opportunities, Jewish Agricultural Festivals, and other community events, inviting our neighbors to connect to the land, Jewish tradition, and each other.

Coastal Roots Farm is located in Encinitas, CA on approximately 17 acres of land which we recognize as indigenous to the Kumeyaay and Luiseño peoples. Our Farm consists of vegetable production fields, education farm and gardens, a food forest, chickens, and compost operations. Coastal Roots Farm was incubated by the Leichtag Foundation in 2014 and received 501(c)(3) public charity status in 2015.

Coastal Roots Farm Internship Program

Coastal Roots Farm interns support the Farm’s mission through mutually beneficial volunteer work. Coastal Roots Farm's Internship Program works with diverse individuals to increase land-based knowledge, community connection, environmental stewardship, education for all ages, skills to promote food and social equity within the San Diego community, and more. Interns will work directly with Farm, Education, or Marketing departments (see available openings) and will receive mentoring and supervision from professional staff, technical training, and Jewish and environmental education as relevant.

Interns are eligible for a Coastal Roots Farm certificate upon completion of 36 hours of service. Interns may also complete credits through Coastal Roots Farm pending approval from associated schools and universities.

Farm Production Intern Position Overview

The Farm Production Interns will work closely with the Production Department to support in maintaining the production fields, field boarders, food forest, composting area and propagation house. Additionally, there may be opportunities to support staffing for community events. Throughout the internship, they will build physical strength and endurance, increase their knowledge about organically and locally grown produce, learn various cultivation techniques, and strengthen their local food system.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions may include:

Production Department:

• Learn about and support various farm-related projects such as planting, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, insect scouting, fixing, and maintaining irrigation, field preparation, trellising, mulching, fertilizing, composting, propagation house tasks, etc.
• Support post-harvest washing and packing as needed.
• Support staff during community programs and events.

Other:

• Attend orientation and training as it relates to the position.

Qualifications and Experiences

• Interest in organic, regenerative, and/or sustainable farming practices.
• Interest in working with the public to share the importance of local and sustainable agriculture.
• Have the physical ability to bend, squat, kneel or stand for extended periods of time in a range of climate conditions.
• Friendly, hardworking, and punctual.
• Ability to safely work with sharp hand tools.
• Eager learner, flexible with assignments, and willing to jump into unfamiliar tasks.
• Pursuing a certificate or degree in related field (i.e. environmental education, agriculture, food justice, ecological stewardship, outdoor education, ethnobotany, environmental science, etc.).
• Passionate about community farming, food justice, and/or food systems development.
• Ability to work independently, set priorities, and see projects through to completion.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship development skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Comfortable using a computer.

Typical Working Conditions

Farm Production Interns will primarily be working outdoors and around our post-harvest station. There will be exposure to Southern California outside temperatures, chemicals used in the agricultural industry, and loud noises.

Essential Physical Tasks

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Continuous walking, standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, reaching, lifting, and pushing/pulling up to 50 lbs., cutting, and carrying. Able to walk a minimum of .5 miles on uneven narrow trails with elevation gain.

Coastal Roots Farm is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building an inclusive workforce. We welcome and strongly encourage people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. All qualified candidates, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information will be considered for this position.