Orchard Garden & Herb Garden Intern at Minnetrista Museum & Gardens

Muncie, Indiana, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

19 Jul, 26

Salary

1000.0

Posted On

20 Apr, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Horticulture, Gardening, Plant care, Soil health management, Integrated pest management, Crop rotation, Propagation, Seed saving, Garden design, Community outreach, Volunteer coordination, Public speaking, Record keeping, Harvesting, Agriculture, Food production

Industry

Museums;Historical Sites;and Zoos

Description

Position Orchard Garden & Herb Garden Intern Purpose and Development Opportunities As an Orchard Garden & Herb Garden Intern, your main role is to contribute to the maintenance and interpretation of the Orchard Garden and Herb Garden at Minnetrista. These gardens serve as living demonstrations for techniques on cultivating fruits, vegetables, and herbs in urban or small settings. Engage in expanding your knowledge of food production, plant care, and interpretation by actively participating in garden activities and educating visitors. Assume a crucial role in garden development by undertaking an independent project aligned with your learning interests and site needs. Potential project areas include implementing planting designs, creating garden structures, community outreach efforts, and developing site management plans. Collaborate with horticultural resources, landscape equipment, mentors, and peers to bring your project to fruition. Additionally, assist in leading and coordinating community outreach events. Reporting Department Horticulture Department Reporting Supervisor and Training Provided By Associate Director of Horticulture, Horticulture Specialist Length of Appointment 200 hour minimum Time Commitment 20-40 hours per week preferred. (Monday – Friday 7am-3:40pm) every other Saturday 9am-12pm during Farmers Market. Salary A project and time commitment-based stipend of $1000.00, dependent on the quality and scope of the completed internship hours and project. Essential duties and responsibilities - Perform maintenance including watering, weeding, planting, harvesting, and distributing produce - Complete an independent project that enhances the positive impact of the garden - Lead volunteers and community members - Adhere to all safety policies and procedures - Give a presentation at the conclusion of the internship- Other duties may be assigned Other possible duties and responsibilities may be necessary to research, produce, and present your project at the completion of the internship. Soil Health Management: -Implement strategies for maintaining and enhancing soil health in the Orchard Garden and Herb Garden, including composting, soil testing, and nutrient management. Integrated Pest Management (IPM): -Utilize organic IPM strategies to control pests and diseases in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner. Crop Rotation Planning: -Plan and execute crop rotation schedules to optimize soil fertility and minimize disease risk in the Orchard and Herb Gardens. Propagation and Seed Saving: -Engage in the propagation of plants and contribute to seed-saving initiatives to ensure the sustainability of the garden's plant varieties. Garden Design Enhancement: -Contribute to the enhancement of garden design by suggesting improvements, selecting appropriate plant varieties, and implementing aesthetic enhancements. Interactive Demonstrations: -Develop and conduct interactive demonstrations for visitors, showcasing practical techniques related to fruit, vegetable, and herb cultivation in urban or small settings. Record Keeping and Documentation: -Maintain detailed records of garden activities, including planting schedules, harvest yields, and volunteer hours, for future analysis and planning, including the individual project and internship. Farmers Market Participation: -Actively participate in Farmers Market activities on scheduled Saturdays, engaging with the community and promoting the Orchard and Herb Gardens. Qualifications The requirements of the job include the ability to work outside in varying weather conditions, and to work independently. An interest in horticulture and gardening is a must. Strong preference for candidates with experience in agriculture, food production, and community outreach preferred. Must be reliable and work well with both staff and volunteers. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Responsibilities

The intern will maintain the Orchard and Herb gardens through tasks like planting, weeding, and harvesting while developing an independent project. They will also lead community outreach events and provide educational demonstrations for visitors.