About Poughkeepsie Farm Project
Poughkeepsie Farm Project (PFP) is a thriving nonprofit organization that works to ensure a just and sustainable food system in Poughkeepsie, New York and the broader Mid-Hudson Valley region. PFP operates a 15-acre Certified Naturally Grown member-supported farm on the Vassar College Farm. PFP’s farm yields an average of 200,000 pounds of produce annually and is supported by more than 500 shareholder households. PFP ensures access to healthy, locally grown food for low income residents through subsidized CSA shares and the Food Share program, donating an average of 40,000 pounds of the harvest to partner organizations annually. PFP provides award-winning experiential education to more than 7,000 local youth, college students, future farmers, and residents in areas including healthy food, food justice, community and school gardening, and sustainable agriculture through a robust Education program.
Internship Overview
PFP’s Internship Program provides interns with the foundational knowledge to pursue a career in small-scale vegetable production. Over the last 15 years, more than 50 alumni have graduated from our programs. Our interns work on a 15-acre farm with PFP staff, growing over 200 varieties of vegetables and fruit. We provide food for a 500+ member CSA and to several local institutions, while also contributing to PFP’s larger mission of working toward a just and sustainable food system in the Hudson Valley. PFP is proud to donate 20% of our produce to partner social service agencies in the area.
Educational Benefits and Compensation
Over the course of the season, interns will have exposure to a wide range of farming activities and skills, including
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Greenhouse seeding and seedling management
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Transplanting and farm bed preparation
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Crop management, pest control, and irrigation
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Protected (high tunnel) growing environments
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Harvest and CSA distribution set-up
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Managing farm volunteers and student/CSA member work groups
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Tractor and equipment safety
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Opportunities to learn from area farmers through the CRAFT program and through PFP farm partnerships
Compensation for these positions includes
Internship Schedule
Interns are valued members of the farm team and are expected to maintain a full time schedule (45 hours/week) and occasional, rotating weekend duty. The 14-week internship runs from late May to late August.
Who we invite to apply
We seek dependable, good-natured individuals with active interests in food and farming. Applicants should have good communication skills, the ability to take initiative, and the desire to be part of an active farm community. Applicants should be able to comfortably lift 50 pounds and engage in repetitive work, in all weather conditions. Scheduling flexibility is required, including some weekend shifts.
Application Process
Please email a document containing: cover letter; resume; and contact information for three references, to Pat Lang, Farm Production Director, at pat[at]farmproject[dot]org. Interviews will be scheduled starting Monday, March 29, 2021.
Poughkeepsie Farm Project is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, or disability.
Pat Lang |
he / him
Farm Production Director
(c) 845-453-6349
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