Here's a picture from this summer's soil science class taught by the fantastic Amber Anderson.

AGRO-ECOLOGY INTERNSHIP

Mustard Seed community farm is seeking skilled and
enthusiastic individuals to fill Agroecology Intern
positions for the 2022 growing season.
Do you ever wonder what life is like on an organic
vegetable farm? Do you yearn to make an impact on
local food justice? Our farm would be an excellent
place for you to contribute to food justice, land
stewardship and community building missions while
learning valuable skills.

ABOUT US
Mustard Seed Community Farm is an evolving
11-acre, 14-year-old, volunteer-based farm dedicated
to ethical food production/distribution, ecological
land use and community. Using organic and
sustainable methods, we grow a diverse variety of
vegetables and fruits for local food donation venues, workers, and paying members. The
farm raises chickens, sheep and bees in addition to practicing prairie and savannah
reconstruction. We are located near Ames, Iowa.
Our farm is a part of the Catholic Worker movement, which is an interfaith, inclusive, social
justice movement. We welcome persons of all backgrounds, spiritual beliefs, genders and
sexualities.
The 2022 season goals include specific focus on perennial food systems, cover crops and
grazing, habitat restoration, solidifying farm systems and organization, and providing
community outreach/education.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The Agroecology Intern position at Mustard Seed Community Farm is multifaceted. Farm
work includes 30 hrs/week of physical labor, daily planning, group cooperation and leading
volunteers. Interns contribute a vital role in the life of the farm, including meal preparation,
daily chores and collaboration with the farm team through consensus decision-making.

QUALIFICATIONS
- An interest in food sovereignty-based agriculture and social justice
- An ability to work with people of diverse backgrounds
- An acceptance of the challenge of varied living conditions including:
- Limited access to hot running water, electricity, and internet
- Heat and humidity
- Physical horticultural labor inc. weeding, mulching, hoeing, etc.
In addition to our basic qualifications, we are seeking applicants with agricultural and
communications skills, such as any of the following:
- Annual/perennial horticultural skills and knowledge
- Farm systems management experience
- Community outreach/education/communication
- Basic fluency in Spanish
We encourage you to apply if you don’t meet all the qualifications but have a strong desire
to intern with us.

OPPORTUNITIES
Our Interns will gain invaluable interpersonal community experience and practical living
skills. In addition Interns can choose learning opportunities to pursue, such as:
- Practicing regenerative agriculture, permaculture design, prairie reconstruction or fruit
production.
- Practicing carpentry, seed saving, candle making or food preservation.
- Gaining research experience in replicated, controlled experiments in collaboration with
the Practical Farmers of Iowa.
- Teaching youth and adults in summer classes at the farm.
- Writing for our newspaper, CSA newsletters, website or social media.

OTHER DETAILS
Simple room and board are provided. Although the internship is unpaid, the farm can
connect interns with partner organizations that provide a stipend. Free time can be spent in
personally chosen activities at the farm, meeting with host families, connecting with other
area groups/opportunities and exploring the surrounding area. Plenty of learning, working,
and fun are close at hand as an intern at our rural Iowa location.
Apply today! Send a cover letter with your personal goals for the internship, resume, and 2
references to mustardseedbee@gmail.com or apply in the Handshake system, if applicable.
Applications will be considered in order received, with a final deadline of March 15, 2022.
Internships can occur between May 1, and October 15, with a minimum length of 8 weeks.
Typical undergraduate internships are 10-12 weeks.
Questions? Feel free to reach out to us! We’d love to hear from you:
mustardseedbee@gmail.com | 978.471.8414 | https://mustardseedfarm.org/
more info on the internships tab http://mustardseedfarm.org/?q=node/226