We are looking for several students to work as interns for the university’s Community Garden this summer. These internships will be based on projects related to your major or minor (graduate students living in Newberg can also apply). In addition to joining us for gardening and a potluck once a week, these internships will take two to four hours a week May through August. Interns will receive a stipend of up to $400 for the summer, dependent on completion of agreed-upon projects.
Interested applicants should send an email with a concise description of any relevant experience, why they are interested in the job, and summer availability to Cherice Bock (cbock@georgefox.edu) by Sunday, April 24. Applicants should also have one professor or employer send a reference letter.
Compost & Garden Health Intern: Collect compostable materials from local businesses and individuals and maintain a compost pile (hot compost). Monitor the compost, as well as attending to the health of other aspects of the garden, researching and implementing organic mitigation strategies (pests, disease, soil health, or other areas of interest/expertise). Biology or other science major preferred.
Food Access & Community Connection: Coordinate the harvest and distribution of extra produce, connecting the food with Newberg residents who need food. Build connections with local individuals and organizations dealing with food security/food sovereignty and create and implement strategies for getting people connected with learning how to grow their own food with us. Social sciences or Christian ministries major preferred.
Garden Structures: We need some structure in our new location! If you have experience and enjoy engineering and building things, we have several structural projects on our list for this year, from researching, creating/purchasing, and implementing structures for plants to working with the compost intern to structure a compost area. Engineering major or someone with a strong construction background preferred.
Documentation: This one could go a few different directions. A science major could document the scientific processes occurring in the garden (planting dates, various treatments, harvest dates and amounts, and so forth). A writing/literature major could document our work in a narrative style, sharing about our garden on our blog. An art major could use photography and other artistic mediums to document our work. All of these would have the possibility of developing your social media skills if you’re interested in sharing about our work on our blog and/or Facebook page.
Business: Develop and implement a business plan for a cash crop or two that could be sold to local outlets. Keep track of garden finances. Business, economics, finance, or accounting major preferred.
Grant Writing: Research possible grants the community garden could apply for, and work alongside Community Garden Coordinator to draft grants proposals. This position is open to writing/literature, business, or communications majors, or others with strong written communication skills and interest in gaining experience in grant writing.
