Irvine Creek Organics

back

Irvine Creek Organics is a new farm located near Belwood (NW of Guelph). 2011 will be its third year operating a growing CSA (40 members in 2010), hopyard, raised beds used to grow wholesale crops, native tree nursery, and apiary. Our interns will help us with these projects, along with putting up a chicken coop, and participating in a weekly farmers market. The farm is located on approximately 10 acres of a 300 acre property containing ample forest, river, and fallow fields to explore.

Educational opportunities at Irvine Creek are unlimited but based heavily on the motivation of the individual and include all aspects of running a small CSA farm, including business planning, record keeping, greenhouse and field production, event and workshop hosting, marketing, hops production, field crops, winemaking, beekeeping, nursery management, food preservation, and any number of other projects we end up taking on throughout the season! Specific positions we’re offering this year can be found below. Please indicate the position you are applying for. More information on our farm can be found on our website (www.irvinecreekorganics.com). The emphasis of an internship at Irvine Creek is coming away from us with the knowledge to do this for yourself!

Our farm is run by a previous CRAFT intern and, as it’s still in its early years, is an excellent opportunity to see where you might find yourself in a few years. We are seeking passionate, self-motivated, idealistic individuals with a strong work ethic. If this is you, come grow and learn with us!

Most interns work April until early November, six days a week, with some of that time spent at CSA drop offs or running our market stand. Our senior intern position runs from March to early November. We are flexible about your starting and ending dates. Room and board provided, end of season bonus.

Visit our website and contact us at irvinecreekorganics@gmail.com for more information.

2011 ICO Internship Positions:

All interns at the farm will experience hands-on work in the garden. When you arrive at the farm, you will be assigned vegetables that you are responsible for throughout the season, from seed (unless they had to be started earlier than your arrival) to harvest. In addition to this, we also need people interested in hops production, growing wholesale crops in raised beds, and apiary work to keep those sides of the farm thriving. Everyone will get a chance to experience as many sides of the farm as possible, but the positions listed below are chances to focus your internship experience. Please indicate which position you are applying for when you apply.

Senior Intern/House Manager – This position begins earlier than the others (early March), to help with early spring activities and become familiar with our farm and our goals for the growing season. This position is a liason between the farmer and the interns, and is responsible for ensuring that weekly household chores are completed, as well as day-to-day maintenance of farm tools, equipment and spaces. This intern wouldn’t be expected to know how to repair and maintain all the equipment on the farm, but should be aware, and make the farmer aware of any issues that may arise. The other side of this position involves the social aspect of the communal living situation on the farm. If issues arise between interns, the senior intern will work with the farmer and other interns to communicate and resolve conflicts or tensions. This intern will have the ability to make some key decisions about the running of our farm for the 2011 season.

Notes about this position:

  • domestic issues in a communal environment

  • ensures that tools and equipment are being taken care of

  • responsible for building cleanliness/maintenance

  • senior intern is our ‘lead hand’ position – facilitated by an extra month of orientation

CSA Managing Intern – The CSA Managing Intern is responsible for the demanding weekly task of determining the logistics of filling our CSA shares. This is a fast-paced position that requires critical thinking andproblem solving skills. Our CSA program runs from June till the end of October, so there would be time between early April when the position starts and June to prepare and plan out the first few baskets.

- Weekly produce selection

- portioning/bunching

- distribution

- quality control

- working within deadlines

Community & Education Intern – This position is responsible for giving our farm a thoughtful presence in the community through workshops, events and online.

- make contacts

- organize workshops

- blog/facebook presence

- getting the farm to events (Hillside Festival, local foods events)

Farmer’s Market Manager – This position is the face of the farm at our farmer’s market location.

Notes about this position:

  • pricing

  • food presentation

  • quantities (working with CSA managing intern)

  • book keeping

  • ‘face of the farm’

  • Driver’s license preferred

Floating Intern – This position will experience a well-rounded intership, without focusing on one area of the farm.

Email us your application: irvinecreekorganics@gmail.com