Now Accepting Applications for 2015 Internship Program: 3 Positions at 3 different learning gardens!

Location: Boone, NC

The Lettuce Learn Project is seeking three Garden-Education interns for the 2015 growing season, beginning in mid March and ending in early November.

The positions are part time (5-15 hrs/week) and are located at three locations throughout Watauga County: The ASU Child Development Center Garden, Mountain Pathways Montessori School, and Parkway Elementary.  Depending on funding, there are plans to offer a stipend to each intern.

Lettuce Learn is a school garden support program within the High Country.  We work towards the vision of creating nutritious, fair, and clean food for the wellbeing of our citizens and community.  Because we believe school gardens are one path towards that goal, we provide support and resources to ensure school garden success so that all children may learn the art of food production, develop an ecological and nutritional literacy,  and have the opportunity to learn in an experiential, place-based way.

Position Description:
Interns will be provided a variety of tools to best prepare them for their task of becoming the learning garden assistant/coordinator at their assigned school.  Comprehensive online training modules will be provided to guide the intern along the entire process of planning, coordinating, maintaining, harvesting, and sharing the garden along with utilizing the garden as an outdoor classroom.  Interns will have the opportunities to to explore and experiment with best practices, working collaboratively with each other, the Lettuce Learn leadership, and the teachers, staff, and administration at their assigned school.

The Garden-Education Interns will report to the Lettuce Learn Project Director and their on-site mentor.

Tasks will include:

• school garden planning and maintenance
  
• collaboration and communication with host site to ensure requirements are followed and stakeholder needs are met
  
• coordinating with host site to create and deliver educational opportunities in the outdoor classroom
  
• hosting a minimum of two community outreach events to build excitement and a vibrant school culture surrounding the garden and sustainability education (including at least one volunteer garden work “party” and one culturally focused garden event)
  
• Working in collaboration with at least one other area non-profit/organization to find appropriate outlets for produce grown (i.e. the mini-market at the Watauga Farmer’s Market, the Hunger and Health Coalition, the Hospitality House, FARM Cafe, etc.)
  
• Communicating school garden efforts with your school’s community, the Lettuce Learn community, and the following year’s intern
  
• Keeping a garden journal that documents the year’s work including photos, lessons taught in the garden, and lessons learned from the experience.
  
• Where appropriate, leading/assisting other sustainability efforts at the school
  

Qualifications:

• An understanding of and passion for garden-based learning and sustainable agriculture
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  
• Experience working with pre-K and elementary school children
  
• Experience with community organizing and grassroots capacity building efforts
  
• Ability to both work independently and be a good team player
  
• Experience with print and/or digital media
  
• Preference is given to students currently enrolled at Appalachian State University, but others are encouraged to apply
  

Stipend
Lettuce Learn interns are paid a lump sum in quarterly installments, with a rate determined by experience and funding availability.

Learning Garden Sites

1. ASU Child Development Center Learning Garden: A child development center located on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.  The intern will work with Mrs. Brenda’s pre-K class to develop weekly garden and cooking lessons that encourage exploration, gardening knowledge, and trying new nutritious foods.  The ASU CDC is a year round facility so the intern will work with the children throughout the entire summer.  The site will also be utilized as a training site for other early childhood education professionals.
2. Parkway Elementary-- Mr. Tidyman’s Garden, Afterschool Program, Pre-K, and Kindergarten: The intern will work in collaboration with the after school teacher and regular classroom teachers.   The intern will help teach the youngest students the full range of raising food, from startings seedlings in the on-site greenhouse, transplanting, harvesting, and food preparation.  Depending on the size of the harvest, food from the garden can be sent home with the children or sold at the “Kid’s Corner” at the Watauga County Farmers’ Market.  Intern will also assist in giving demonstrations and lining up guest speakers.
3. Mountain Pathways: Farm Camp 2015: The intern will provide support to the Farm Camp Mission by working with children ages 9-12 years old in a micro farm setting. The intern should be able to work independently in the greenhouse planting, watering, and organizing as well as working the raised beds, main garden, farm stand, and processing kitchen when camp is not in session. Interns will provide educational support by teaching about each working area of the farm camp such as the permaculture garden, the raised beds, greenhouse, and farm stand within the framework of sustainable practices.

To apply
Please send completed application (below), resume, cover letter (including an explanation of your interests in garden-based education and future plans), and the names and contact information for three references to [email protected] with “Garden Education Intern” in the email subject line.

Application Timeline

• Dec 2014: Application and service descriptions posted
• Feb 14, 2015: Application deadline
• Feb 20-Feb 24: Interviews scheduled by host sites
• Feb 25- Mar 1: Interviews conducted by host sites
• Mar 5: Position offers made
• Mar 15: First day of training module I
• April 1, 2015: First day of service

CLICK HERE for APPLICATION [PDF*]

*Trouble viewing and completing the PDF form?  Visit Adobe.com for free download of Adobe Reader XI