The Novick Urban Farm staff are taking the dangers of COVID-19 very seriously, and will expect interns to do the same. We successfully hosted a spring intern during the beginning of the pandemic last year, and are well prepared to make this experience as safe as possible for everyone involved. We can provide disposable masks and hand sanitizer, and we regularly sanitize all farm tools. Being an outdoor location allows us to easily maintain safe physical distance, and we will continue to limit our volunteer/visitor group sizes per CDC recommendations until it is safe to return to normal operations. For the moment, our educational visits are on pause, and we are spending the majority of our focus on farming. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any further questions or concerns about our current COVID-19 safety protocol.
Position Description:
The Spring Urban Farm Intern’s responsibility will focus mainly on physical farming tasks, and helping to prepare for the beginning of our farmer’s market (end of May). The Farm Intern will have the opportunity to learn about organic vegetable production while they work in the farm fields, hoop house, and pollinator gardens. Work will include preparing beds, weeding, mulching, planting crops, harvesting, construction projects, etc. The second primary responsibility is to help prepare for our low-income farm stand, which starts on May 26th and continues every Wednesday in Mifflin Square Park. Our farm stand is our primary means of providing access to fresh, affordable, and culturally appropriate produce to the community in need.
Urban Farm Intern Duties:
Farm Management and Production
Assist lead farmer in all components of crop production (harvesting, planting, weeding, mulching, etc)
Learn about and help with crop planning and sustainable growing
Possible art and construction projects (compost, painting, hoop house, outdoor kitchen)
Manage one-time volunteers at the farm, oversee certain tasks
Community Outreach
Assist with marketing tasks like handing out flyers or taking photos during programming
Opportunity to assist with farm social media, if desired
Market Sales
Assist with sale of vegetables at our low-income farm stand, Wednesday afternoons (starting May 26th)
Restocking market tables to keep baskets of produce full to meet customer demands
Knowledge and Skills the Intern May Acquire:
Gain skills and understanding of organic food starts, heirloom tomatoes, and veggies
Small scale organic vegetable production techniques
The ability to work in a dynamic environment: this includes being comfortable changing tasks, working/leading diverse groups and feeling confident with a diverse population
Creating a positive atmosphere for the interaction of diverse populations
Sales and customer service experience
Structure of Internship:
Internship duration is dependent on the applicant's schedule. We are looking for interns who can commit for 3 months, from March through May. Can begin as early as March 1st (weather dependent).
Intern position is 7 - 10 hours per week. Note: hours can vary somewhat, based on the intern’s schedule and needs. Note: Required availability will be on Tuesday mornings (harvest) starting May 11th.
Intern will be working closely with the Farm Manager who will oversee all daily activities.
Benefits of Interning with the Novick Urban Farm:
Hands-on experience making a positive impact in the lives of children, teens and adults
Friendly, relaxed environment
Develops marketable skills
Learn about sustainable, organic food production in a city
Fresh vegetables from the garden as the season permits
This is an unpaid "For Credit" internship and qualifies for credit at the University level, however it is not required that you obtain credit to participate.
Qualifications:
We are looking for someone who has an interest in urban farming and sustainability in Philadelphia. We are also looking for someone who enjoys working as part of a diverse team. Basic experience in gardening is preferred, but not required. This internship is expected to run from March through May. Beginning on May 11th, interns will be expected to assist primarily with our harvest (Tuesday mornings, around 8:00-12:00).
Interns must be able to get down to our farm in deep South Philly. The intern should enjoy working outside in a range of weather conditions and be able to serve as a mature, healthy role model for children and teens. Our staff and youth enjoy their time together in the garden and we’d love for someone with a sense of humor to join us while we have fun and do good work. The Urban Farm Intern must be responsible, dedicated and organized. This experience is a great opportunity for someone interested in a job in urban agriculture, environmental science, or community organizing.
Situated on previously undeveloped land outside Novick Corporation’s South Philadelphia headquarters, Novick Urban Farm is an education center that yields 20,000 pounds of organic produce annually. Goals include: Teach children the value of nutrition; provide access to these offerings. Host educational field trips for thousands of children from childcare centers and schools each year. Support the local community, in which we work and live, through distribution of produce to food-insecure families. Donate or sell produce to the community, at a low cost, with all proceeds supporting Urban Farm programming. Create community involvement/partnership opportunities, including Farm Apprenticeship/Empowerment Program and Volunteer Opportunities. Trained in skills including sustainable growing, proper food handling and sales tracking, teen and adult members of local refugee communities receive a stipend, gain a support network and leadership skills, as they adjust to life in Philadelphia.
Description
Annually, Novick Urban Farm teaches 3,000 area children about the value of nutrition, while feeding thousands of people in need. The farm has been providing hands on learning to childcare and school programs since 2014, with yearly growth. Through multi sensory learning, children taste an array of produce that they may not otherwise have access to. They explore the various textures, scents and tastes that our herbs and vegetables have to offer. Our raised planting beds give children the opportunity to practice their fine and gross motor skills as they dig, plant and water their own crops. Children learn basic nutritional concepts, plant lifecycles, pollinators and more, depending on the season. Children leave excited to try new healthy foods and experiences that are brought back to the classroom and home.
Expansion in 2016, led to the farm offering in-class lessons to local childcare centers. These lessons are ideal for fall and winter months to expand the education opportunities outside the traditional farming season. We partner with Einstein Health Network to utilize their nutrition education lessons and materials.
Our 1.5 acre property on site employs organic growing practices, and focuses on produce that is culturally relevant to the community. The farm is a collaborative growing project, where expertise is shared across cultures and generations. Apprentices and volunteers include refugees from Burma, Myanmar, Nepal, and various Hispanic cultures.
