Garden Intern

Garden Interns

We are looking for two hard-working, joyful interns to work alongside our CSA manager and other garden staff to cultivate our extensive vegetable gardens, located at the heart of our historic site. You will expand your knowledge of sustainable vegetable production in such areas as plant health; weed, disease and insect management; crop rotation plans; seed starting and care of young plants; greenhouse management; and planting and harvesting schedules. You will also help with the preparations for and operating of the weekly CSA pick-up. You will use historic and modern tools and learn more about historic as well as contemporary gardening practices best suited for creating a sustainable, regenerative farm. You will enhance communication skills in interactions with the public and CSA shareholders.

What you will do:

• Harvest and prepare vegetables and produce for weekly CSA pick-up and staff the CSA pick-up. Write the weekly CSA newsletter with information about the produce in the weekly share.
• Early in the internship, care for young plants, prep garden beds, and plant vegetable starts
• Work in the greenhouse to care for plant starts and plants, such as tomatoes, that are grown in the greenhouse
• Monitor the weather and water as conditions require
• Weeding—lots of weeding--with various methods such as mulching, cultivation, hand-pulling, and hand-hoeing

Depending upon needs and interests, you may also maintain the medicinal herb garden, help with occasional barn and livestock chores, and assist with Village initiatives that present the sustainable working farm to the public. 

Qualifications: The ideal garden intern should have a strong commitment to sustainable agriculture; have demonstrated ability to take direction and work both independently and as part of a team; have success working in a dynamic environment; be able to lift at least 30 pounds; and have a fitness level that allows working actively outdoors for extended periods in all kinds of weather (heat, humidity, rain, wind, cold spells—the plants need care no matter what!) An interest in history is a plus; prior experience with gardening is helpful but not required. Patience is essential.

General Information

In 2024, this immersive, ten-week paid internship is part of a Hancock Shaker Village educational program that begins with orientation on Tuesday, June 4, and concludes on Friday, August 9.  Summer internships are full time (35-40 hours/week) and may include weekend shifts. Weekly schedules will be determined in advance of arrival by the interns and their supervisors.  On-site housing is provided (no meal plan).

Interns receive a stipend of $2,500, paid in weekly installments of $250. Interns are also offered on-site housing in the shared intern apartment in one of our historic buildings. Interns must provide their own meals and transportation. Because of the distance from shopping and other amenities, access to a car during the internship is highly recommended for a better experience but is not required. 

In addition to the duties of individual internships, all Hancock Shaker Village interns participate in weekly intern meetings to learn about the work of the Village and enjoy field trips to regional cultural and agricultural institutions. All interns will also assist with the summer fundraising gala on Saturday, August 3. 

How to Apply

Applicants should submit through Handshake OR send 1) a letter of interest (indicating the internship(s) for which you wish to be considered), 2) a resume, and 3) the names and contact information for two professional or academic references to Cindy Dickinson, Director of Education, Hancock Shaker Village, at cdickinson@hancockshakervillage.org.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis but must be received no later than Friday, March 29, at 4 pm. 

Questions? Contact Cindy Dickinson at cdickinson@hancockshakervillage.org or at 413-443-0188 x213.