Seasonal Vegetable Garden Internship in Wisconsin

The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation invites applications for a seasonal Vegetable Garden Internship for the May-September 2012 season at Taliesin, a National Historic Landmark, in Spring Green, Wisconsin.  Frank Lloyd Wright established the Taliesin Fellowship in 1932 to provide a total learning environment that would foster responsible, creative and cultured human beings. Apprentices, as members of the Fellowship were called, gained experience not only in architecture but also in construction, farming, gardening and cooking, and the study of nature, music, art and dance. From its origins Taliesin has served as a living, working, educational space, forming a creative and diverse community of professional architects, artists, faculty, students, and staff. The Taliesin Vegetable Garden perpetuates the principles of organic living Wright’s original vision for Taliesin through the integration of farming into the academic, cultural, and communal day-to-day activities on the 700-acre property in Spring Green, Wisconsin. The Taliesin Vegetable Garden Intern is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of the garden and garden-related activities, such as harvesting and washing fresh garden produce for the kitchen and assisting with food processing when needed. Works collaboratively with the Taliesin Vegetable Garden Supervisor and oversees the participation of Taliesin community members and students during twice-weekly “community garden days.” This internship provides the opportunity to live, work and learn at an established non-profit educational organization and to participate in cultural opportunities offered onsite. The intern will play an active role in the community and may participate in lectures, musical performances, Taliesin Evenings, field trips, etc. Room and board is included. To learn more about the internship, and how to apply, click "Read More". Also see other farm job and internship opportunities at: https://www.beginningfarmers.org/internship-and-employment-opportunities/

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Essential Functions (up to 30 hours/week):

• Coordinates and plans the Taliesin Vegetable Garden in collaboration with the Taliesin Vegetable Garden Supervisor throughout the season.
• Provides the day-to-day maintenance of the Taliesin Vegetable Garden including planting seeds, weeding, watering, composting, harvesting, applying organic pest control, mulching, washing produce, etc.
• Makes recommendations for succession planting, composting, and other garden best practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Previous experience with organic vegetable production on a larger scale than home garden.
• Willingness to participate in Taliesin life and actively interact with the residential community.
• Ability to perform gardening work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to interpret instructions, specifications, etc.
• Ability to use and maintain basic landscape management tools, including pruning equipment, irrigation equipment, rakes, shovels, and cultivating tools.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with diverse audiences, including Foundation and School staff, students, residents, and volunteers.
• Ability to work safely at all times.
• Ability and willingness to work outside in all kinds of weather in suitable clothing.
• Ability to multi-task and switch priorities of projects as needs of job change.
• Ability to give full attention to what other people are saying, take time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate, and not interrupt at inappropriate times.
• Able to work as a team and independently.
• Valid driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Agricultural or related training or degree.
• Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) or community garden/farming experience including in a supervisory capacity.
• Familiarity with Frank Lloyd Wright, Taliesin, and the missions of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and School of Architecture.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

• Physical Demands: While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and consistently talk or hear; and rarely taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift up to 50 pounds and regularly carry 15-20 pounds the length of the garden area. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Qualified applicants are encouraged to send a letter of interest and resume including contact information for references to hr@franklloydwright.org by Friday, April 13, 2012.