Food Flow Internship

Located in the rural community of Kootenay Bay, this full-time, 8-month program provides hands-on experience from field to table. Emphasis is placed on the full cycle of food production, including plant care, pest management, soil amendment and bed preparation, crop rotation, succession and companion planting, greenhouse work, composting, beekeeping, orchard management, food processing and preserving and more. There will be an opportunity to work with garden design and construction. As well, the ashram is experimenting with four season harvesting, making use of our new 1000 square foot mobile hoophouse.

Some gardening experience and familiarity with organic production methods is helpful. Important qualities are an open mind, a positive disposition and interest in living and learning within a spiritual community.

Students in education, agriculture, environmental sciences, and related fields are encouraged to apply.

Commitment
This is an 8-month full time position.  We are aware that this may not be ideal for full time students and we are open to discussing other timeframes.

Our ideal timeframe is the beginning of April through the end of October.

 

Helpful Entry Skills & Abilities

• Ability to multi-task, oversee big picture and day to day tasks
• Communication skills for reporting, cooperation and instruction
• Ability to prioritize and adjust plans easily
• Organizational skills (records, tools, people, plants)
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work in a changing environment
• Keen observation
• Knowledge of plants, soil, compost and insect pest management an asset
• Interest and knowledge about food and sustainability
• Experience and interest in food preservation an asset

 

Positions

We will be creating a team of food flow interns who have specific interest and experience in these areas: 

Garden

• Work with a team to prioritize work and oversee daily, weekly and seasonal activities
• Lead karma yogis (ashram volunteers) with overseeing daily projects or tasks (planning, preparing, checking in and follow through until completion)
• Coordinate with Food Flow areas (summer kitchen, garden, kitchen)
• Support overall fertility and plant management, (crop rotation, fertilizer, companion planting)
• Greenhouse management: seeding, planting and transplanting
• Daily harvest in garden
• Daily & Weekly recording & monthly updating
• Regularly communicate concerns and observations to Food Flow Manager
• Embody the spirit of Karma Yoga and create atmosphere for reflection through meaningful work and spiritual practice

 

Orchard

• Work with a team to prioritize work and oversee daily, weekly and seasonal activities (picking, thinning, pruning, spraying)
• Lead karma yogis (ashram volunteers) with overseeing daily projects or tasks (planning, preparing, checking in and follow through until completion)
• Coordinate with Food Flow areas (summer kitchen, garden, kitchen)
• Support tree care and management
• Regularly communicate concerns and observations to Food Flow Manager
• Embody the spirit of Karma Yoga and create atmosphere for reflection through meaningful work and spiritual practice

 

Summer Kitchen

• Work with a team to prioritize work and oversee daily, weekly and seasonal activities (picking, preserving/processing)
• Oversee set up of summer kitchen
• Coordinate and communicate daily with kitchen & garden
• Oversee and learn food safe methods for vegetable and fruit preparation, canning, freezing, jam and jelly making
• Plan & determine additional needs for summer fruit & order
• Oversee autumn storage of root vegetables.
• Maintain daily, weekly & seasonal records of preserves
• Regularly communicate concerns and observations to Food Flow Manager
• Embody the spirit of Karma Yoga and create atmosphere for reflection through meaningful work and spiritual practice

 

Kitchen Procurement

• Help us build our network of local farmers and growers
• Work with a team to prioritize work and oversee weekly and seasonal ordering
• Oversee implementation and maintenance of ordering, tracking & inventory system
• Coordinate and communicate daily with kitchen, summer kitchen & garden
• Help determine local fruit and vegetable order quantities
• Regularly communicate concerns and observations to Food Flow Manager
• Embody the spirit of Karma Yoga and create atmosphere for reflection through meaningful work and spiritual practice

 

For more information, please contact us.

Download Application