Cure Organic Farm Internships in Colorado

Internship positions at Cure Organic Farm provide the opportunity to actively experience, ask many questions and above all learn about successful small farming. By no means are internships easy. They require hard work and long hours in the field daily, but offer the invaluable benefit of being a part of the inner workings of the farm. The focus of our internship program is to train future farmers in creating a successful, diversified commercial market farm. Ideal candidates are positive, self-motivated individuals looking for agricultural training with a community purpose, and in-the-field training on the details of small farm management. Full farm details found at www.cureorganicfarm.com

Cure Organic Farm is a commercial family farm located six miles east of Boulder, Colorado. We grow over 100 different varieties of certified organic vegetables, herbs and flowers on 15 acres. All of the crops we grow are distributed within 50 miles of the farm through a CSA program, to local restaurants, farmers markets and our farm stand on site. The farm is also home to several honey bee hives, a flock of hens and ducks, and heritage Berkshire and Mangalitsa pigs which are rotationally grazed.

Cure Organic Farm Internship Description

Our Farm Crew Interns are responsible for all daily farm operations. Interns will learn to use tractors and equipment, greenhouse management, field cultivation, irrigation systems, harvesting, post-harvest handling, distribution, record keeping, farmer’s market sales, and animal care. The majority of work requires the physical capability to contribute daily in a rigorous, fast paced agricultural setting; creating an incredibly rewarding, yet demanding work environment and life experience. 

A positive attitude and attention to detail is critical. Preference will be given to candidates who can commit to the full growing season of Mid-March or April through November 15th.  Please consider this commitment before applying. Pay is hourly, $12/hr, with a weekly produce share and a discount on our meat. Weekly schedule includes 5 days a week, 40-60 hours a week; Monday-Friday  or Tuesday –Saturday.  Both full and part time positions are available. Limited affordable housing on site is available, please ask if interested.
Crew members are responsible for all daily farm operations. Field work schedule includes:

• Green house & field seeding, transplanting, hand weeding, setting up irrigation, trellising, harvesting, washing and packing produce.
• Planting and harvesting flowers. Making bouquets for CSA and Farmers Market.
• For candidates with more experience opportunities for mechanical cultivation, and field prep is also available.
• General animal care including feeding, watering, collecting eggs and moving portable fences as needed.
• Farmers Market sales and CSA distribution.

Weekly Schedule Details
While farm work varies based on the season, below is an outline of what a typical weekly schedule looks like. In March and April our work day begins at 8am, but by May our start time is 6am. We are usually finished by 5:00pm with the exception of week days we are at the evening farmers market or CSA distribution. We have a 10 minute break mid-morning and take lunch around noon. In the peak of the season Friday harvests run long and we may not finish up until after 6pm. While we all work together as a team, some of our farm crew works Monday-Friday while some work Tuesday –Saturday. Our schedule will rotate throughout the season.

• Each day begins with animal chores and finishes up with watering the green houses, animal chores, cleaning the wash station and putting all equipment away.
• Monday: Focus on flowers and field work. Harvest flowers for CSA. Seeding, transplanting, setting up irrigation, weeding, mechanical cultivating, bed & field prep. Cooler inventory.  
• Tuesday: Focus on harvest & packing. Harvest for CSA distribution, restaurant orders, farmers market and farm store. Boulder restaurant deliveries go out Tuesday afternoons.
• Wednesday: Finish harvesting for CSA distribution. Cut flowers & make bouquets for market/csa. Deliver Denver restaurant orders. CSA distribution.
• Thursday: Finish harvest for evening csa distribution. Cut flowers & make bouquets for weekend farmers markets. Field work including weeding, seeding, transplanting, trellising.
• Friday: Harvest for weekend farmers market, csa distribution, restaurants and farm store. Wash and pack all produce.
• Saturday: Boulder Farmers Market. Load trucks, drive to markets, set up stand, sell at market. Markets finish at 2pm and we are usually back at the farm and finished for the day by 4:30-5pm.

Full time positions are 5 days a week, either Monday-Friday or Tuesday-Saturday.(40-60 hrs/wk) $12/hr.
Part time positions are available Monday, Tuesday and Friday. (20-30 hrs/wk) $12/hr.

Applicants must be available to begin work the first week of April and commit to staying through the growing season which ends November 15th.                    

We will also be hiring for Farm Store and Farmer’s Market staff. Please let us know if you are interested.

Qualifications

We are looking for positive, reliable, responsible, and hardworking individuals who have a great sense of humor and are able to follow directions and communicate well with others. Attention to detail is critical and a passion for growing food essential.  If you are not a morning person, a farm job probably isn’t a good fit for you as we start each day by 6am. You must also be a team player, punctual and be able to work in all weather conditions. Be prepared for rain, hail, snow, intense sun, wind, cold and heat each day in the field.  Previous farm or landscape experience is required, and it is essential that candidates are committed to the farming lifestyle and all that it demands.  Must be in good physical condition and able to lift 50 pounds (squash and potatoes are heavy!). A valid driver’s license, clean driving record and reliable transportation to and from the farm are required. The farm is a no smoking and drug free environment.

Application

To apply for a Cure Organic Farm Internship, please submit a resume with references and a cover letter answering the following questions:

1. Why you are interested in working at Cure Organic Farm?
2. What are you looking to get out of this experience?
3. What previous experiences qualify you for this Internship? Please include past job experience and 3 references.
4. What will you personally will bring to this position?
5. We raise animals on the farm for eggs and meat. Please share with us your interest, experiences and opinions about working with farm animals?
6. Anything that will help us get to know you.

Please submit application by email to cureorganicfarm@cureorganicfarm.com attn: Internship.  For full farm and position details visit www.cureorganicfarm.com

If your application is a good fit for our farm, we will contact you for an initial interview either by phone if out of state or in person here at the farm.

• Find additional farming resources at https://www.beginningfarmers.org/additional-farming-resources/