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Agroforestry Intern, Wright-Locke Farm

by Grace L. Schumaker on February 12, 2018

Wright-Locke Farm

78 Ridge Street Winchester, MA 01890

Agroforestry Internship Posting February 1, 2018

 

About Wright-Locke Farm

Wright-Locke Farm is a small community farm that grows Certified Organic crops, raises small farm animals and offers robust farm-based educational programs for youth and adults. The farm in managed by the Wright-Locke Farm Conservancy, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization formed in 2008 to steward this historic farm that has been continuously operated since 1638. Our mission is to welcome local communities to explore sustainable agriculture and open land on a historic farm through farm-based education and hands-on involvement, fostering community engagement, land stewardship and appreciation of nature and history. Our 20-acre farms sits on the Lexington and Arlington borders, directly abutting over 100 acres of protected wooded trails and wetlands that, like the farm property, are open year-round to the public. We grow certified organic fruits, vegetables and flowers on our 2+ acres of flat land, and we raise a small number of goats, sheep and chickens. We sell our produce at farmers’ markets, through our community-supported agriculture program and at the on-farm stand. Our buildings and farmstead are architecturally significant and our four main buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Our farm’s educational and community impact has significantly expanded since 2008 when the Wright-Locke Farm Conservancy took over operations of this formerly family-owned farm. The farm has become a center of lifelong learning and exploration on topics relating to sustainable agriculture, nutrition, the environment and community health.

 

Position Description

The Agroforestry Intern will help Wright-Locke Farm implement some of the recommendations and initiatives outlined in our recently completed Agroforestry Master Plan prepared by Appleseed Permaculture, Inc. The Master plan outlines a series of projects to achieve the goals of optimal use and regeneration of natural resources (agricultural, wild and in-between) of the farm, bolster pollinator ecology and resources, all while increasing community connections to the farm. This internship is part of a highly collaborative process and will involve close interaction among farm staff and volunteers. View the complete Agroforestry Master Plan here. Agroforestry Projects to be implemented are: Goat Herd Management Practices – design and implement a rotational grazing plan with appropriate fencing, housing and foraging schedules for our herd of 4 goats to encourage proper nutrient cycling, pasture health, invasive species control and animal health. Bioswales Design and Construction – determine location, best methods and design characteristics to implement bioswales to manage water runoff and wetland nutrient loads between composting facilities, animal paddocks and farm pond. Animal Fodder Windbreak – design, layout and species selection of Fodder Windbreak. This multipurpose planting will serve as a windbreak for our field crops, fodder for our ruminant livestock and a resource for our pollinators. Compost Management System – Design and implement composting plan for agricultural growing fields and pasture areas using on-farm composting resources. Soil Health Monitoring – Establish and implement baseline soil health monitoring practices for agricultural fields, grazing pastures, buffer areas and woodlands.

 

Duration of Employment and Required Hours

This is a full-time (40 hrs/week), 10-week internship, commencing approximately June 1 and running through mid August. There is some flexibility on start and end times depending on intern’s schedule. Interns must provide their own housing. This is an unpaid internship and the intern will be responsible for obtaining funding. Wright-Locke Farm will assist the intern in this effort.

 

Responsibilities

The Agroforestry Intern will take primary responsibility for design and implementation of the stated Agroforestry projects and work cooperatively with the lead farmer, Executive Director, other staff and farm volunteers. The intern will be expected to develop a plan of action for each initiative, develop resources (both human and physical) for each project, implement the project (to the extent that time will allow), document work completed and provide an outline of ongoing project steps and requirements. The Intern is expected to provide written documentation of the work plan and results.

 

Qualifications

Successful candidate should be enrolled in or recently graduated from a program related to environment management at the college or graduate level. S/he should demonstrate a passion for design and implementation of forward-looking strategies for regenerative practices on a small scale farm. Requirements Interns must:

● have their own reliable transportation

● be able to lift at least 50 lbs.

● be comfortable around animals (including goats, chickens, dogs and cats)

● be willing to work outside, despite weather

● be willing to complete a CORI check

 

Benefits

The intern has the opportunity to work alongside experienced staff members of a thriving community, organic farm. Further, the nature of the project allows the intern to put knowledge into action and gain valuable, hands-on experience in the fields of environmental studies, agriculture and ecological design.

 

Supervision

Interns will report to the Education Director who will provide support and ensure learning objectives are being met. Weekly check-ins will be scheduled for the duration of the internship.

 

To apply and set up an interview, please send a cover letter and resume to Erika Gorgenyi, Education Director at egorgenyi@wlfarm.org .

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