QUEENS — This summer you can unleash your inner farmer and surround yourself with the smell of fresh herbs and veggies, while working at the Queens Botanical Garden.
The garden's 1-acre farm, which launched two years ago through a partnership between QBG and the Department of Sanitation's NYC Compost Project, is looking for unpaid interns, who want to learn all the intricacies of urban agriculture, said farm educator Gina Baldwin.
The interns, who ideally would work on the farm from April to October, will have the chance to learn “what it’s like to work on the farm in the city,” from preparing the soil and seeding to harvesting crops, Baldwin said.
They will also learn where food comes from, how it’s grown, and master the ins and outs of composting while helping maintain on-site composting operations.
“It’s a great way to get connected into this field especially if you don’t have a lot of experience,” Baldwin said, adding that the internship can also potentially lead to jobs in urban agriculture.
“Every year there is seasonal work at farms throughout the city and this is a great way to get your foot in the door,” she said.
Interns will also take home free produce from the farm, which grows a variety of fruit and vegetables, including tomatoes, kale, peppers, lettuce, carrots, garlic and cucumbers.
Produce from the farm is also donated to emergency food relief programs.
Last year, the farm recruited seven interns and gave more than 3,000 pounds of crops to City Harvest and other local initiatives, Baldwin said.
Those interested in applying for the internship can complete the online form here and email their resume to farm@queensbotanical.org with the subject line “Farm and Compost Internship 2016.”
Interns must commit to a minimum of two work days per week (Mondays and Thursdays) over a 3-month period of time between April and October. More details can be found here. Applications are due by Sunday, Feb. 21.
