Intern, Mansfield Community Garden

Mansfield Community Garden Growing and Operations Intern

Agency description:   The Hockomock Area YMCA is a non-profit organization serving about 50,000 individuals annually from across our 15 community service area, which includes the towns of Foxboro, Franklin, North Attleboro, Wrentham, Plainville, Bellingham, Norfolk, Mansfield, Sharon, Medfield, Millis, Medway, Hopedale, Milford and Mendon. We have three full branches in North Attleboro, Foxboro and Franklin, as well as a theater arts center in Mansfield.
In additional to providing extensive onsite programming as part of our commitment to youth development, social responsibility and healthy living, we also work outside of the YMCA walls with community members, elected officials, and health professionals to promote opportunities for healthy eating and physical activity.
As part of our work in the area of healthy food access, the Hockomock Area YMCA partnered with the town of Mansfield in 2012 to launch the town’s first community garden with support from town leaders, community groups, and volunteers. Our work at the Mansfield Community Garden consists of three focus areas: the Family Share Program, the Community Plots Educational Experience, and a partnership with the Mansfield Daily Bread Food Pantry.

Mansfield Community Garden Information:
•  The Family Share Program provides opportunities for families to access fresh vegetables on a weekly basis. Families purchase a share of produce for the growing season which is approximately 20 weeks in length.  The garden coordinator and a group of volunteers harvest, package and organize produce pick up
•  The Community Garden also features community plots, through which families can experience growing and harvesting their own produce. The Garden Coordinator supports the plot members throughout the season
•  The Community Garden is committed to helping all community members to access to fresh produce, regardless of their ability to pay.  We have partnered with the Mansfield Daily Bread Food Pantry and donate a portion of the produce to food pantry clients
•  The Community Garden also provides hands-on opportunities for community members to learn more about health and nutrition. Past programming has included workshops open to the community, taste tests, a yoga class, as well as other educational activities.

Mansfield Community Garden Growing and Operations Intern Responsibilities:
•   Working closely with the Garden Coordinator on all aspects of garden operations including planting, cultivating and harvesting crops for 40+ member CSA program
• Assisting in the planning and implementation of workshops throughout the season
• Assisting the Garden Coordinator with garden-related communication
• Building relationships with CSA members, plot holders, and volunteers in order to increase the community connection to the Mansfield Community Garden

Ideal intern candidates will have one or more of the following academic areas of interest:
•  Sustainable food production
• Organic growing practices
• CSA
• Community gardens/community building

• Public health, nutrition, or wellness

Commitment:
• 15-30 hours/week May-October
• Tuesday and Thursday preferred (these are the pick-up days for CSA participants)
• Will accept part-season applicants

Additional Information:
•  This is an unpaid internship opportunity, and we are happy to work with you to complete required paperwork if you choose to pursue academic credit for this position
• A car will be necessary to travel to the garden
• This position requires hard physical work in varying outdoor weather conditions

To Apply: Please send resume and cover letter to Marykate Bergen, Director of Community Wellness at the Hockomock Area YMCA, marykateb@hockymca.org