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Location

Pennypack Farm & Education Center

685 Mann Road
Horsham, PA 19044
(215) 646-3943
info@pennypackfarm.org

INTERNSHIP

PROGRAM
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2024 Season

Our 2024 internships are now full.

Our farm internship program is designed for people interested in gaining experience working on a medium scale organic farm, learning about local sustainable agriculture. During the 12-week summer farm internship, interns will be engaged in farming tasks including planting, harvesting, weeding, trellising, and irrigation. Candidates must be comfortable working on their feet doing physical work for long periods of time. We do not require interns to have any previous farming experience; as an education center we are excited to share our knowledge about farming and provide our interns with a fulfilling experience that will be useful to them regardless of future career path. Comfort with being outdoors and physically active is encouraged.

In this internship, we anticipate our interns will come to appreciate:

  • the work involved in producing sustainable local food
  • how sustainable agricultural practices support environmentally sound land stewardship
  • the social/community-building value of CSA farming

About our internship:

  • Interns should have housing in our area and reliable transportation to and from the farm;
  • Hours are Monday through Friday 7:15am-4pm. We may occasionally schedule an intern for a workweek of Tuesday through Saturday morning half-day (7:15am – 12 noon) on a rotating basis.
  • Interns are expected to work 40 hours a week for 12 weeks; start/end date depends on individual schedule, usually in the May-September window.
  • Interns receive a total stipend of $3,800 for the summer internship
  • Interns must be physically able to lift 30 pounds, walk and bend over for extended periods of time, and able to work under adverse conditions such as rain, heat, humidity and cold.
  • Must pass a criminal background check and child abuse clearance.

NOTE: We are no longer accepting applications for 2024.

If you are interested in applying for PFEC’s Summer Internship, please email Farm Manager Kirstie Jones at jobs@pennypackfarm.org and include:

  • Subject line: Internship Application
  • Your resume
  • Cover letter answering the following questions:
    1. Why has sustainable agriculture piqued your interest? Why do you want to spend a summer farming?
    2. Why Pennypack Farm?
    3. Tell us about any relevant experience.
    4. What will you bring to the position?
    5. Anything more we should know about you? Any interesting talents, hobbies?

Pennypack Farm is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. PFEC encourages women, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ applicants. PFEC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected factor.

WHAT MAKES OUR PROGRAM UNIQUE?

Community

Pennypack Farm is a non-profit, community centered organization focused on making connections. We have a robust community of people on the farm regularly. Our volunteer and workshare members are an integral part of the farm’s operation and the farm staff works closely with them on a regular basis. We have 30 workshares in the summer that help us harvest for CSA over the course of each week, and we also host our CSA members as they volunteer their time fulfilling their required hours of service. In addition, many corporate groups come to the farm for service days. The welcoming nature of the farm supports a network of people that work together to fulfill our mission.

Soil Health

We believe that soil health is the foundation of regenerative agriculture and our soil health program involves detailed soil fertility practices and innovative cover cropping practices in all four seasons. Apprentices will work closely with the farm managers to learn about and facilitate soil health on the farm.

Impact

Our efforts on the farm every day directly impact our neighbors. In our CSA we provide sustainable locally grown produce to 400 families during the summer and 180 families in the winter. We also donate produce to our food pantry partners on a weekly basis. We partner with other local community organizations to widen our reach and work towards food accessibility in our area. 

Education

The readings, seminars, and discussions in our apprentice curriculum are designed to dig deeper into the “whys” and “hows” of what we do on the farm. These provide apprentices with knowledge of the behind-the-scenes workings of the farm ecosystem, understanding all the parts of our growing plans. Working with us during the 20 month apprenticeship you will gain insight into growing throughout both the summer and winter months. Apprentices are also encouraged to attend conferences such as the one held be PASA every February. 

Learning in a Supported Environment

With the support of our successful systems and guidance from staff, apprentices practice problem solving, management, and responsibility in a supportive environment. They are encouraged to take on leadership roles to develop management skills and are supported in cultivating an understanding of big picture goals on the farm.

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