Morven Kitchen Garden Farm Crew Intern (Student Wage)

uva; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 17,000 - 24,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Produce stipend

Job summary

Morven Kitchen Garden at UVA is seeking current UVA students who are passionate about sustainable agriculture to join as paid farm crew members. You will gain hands-on experience in crop planning, soil health, and community outreach, while supporting seed-saving and education programs.

Responsibilities include planting, weeding, harvesting, packing produce for UVA Dine/CSSA outlets, and leading workshops. Expect 10–20 hrs/week, with some weekend shifts, and hourly compensation of $15.

Qualifications

• Must be a current UVA student.
• Resume and cover letter required.
• Must have reliable transportation.
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Occasional travel to meetings may be required.
• Willingness to work in varying weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planting, weeding, harvesting, and operating farm equipment.
• Lead educational and service events and workshops.
• Wash, weigh, and pack produce for distribution.
• Create social media posts and share Morven's story.
• Support seed-saving and other sustainability activities.
• Maintain logs and records related to GAP certification.

Skills

Farming interest

Sustainability passion

Communication skills

Teamwork & independence

Outdoor work tolerance

Tools

Tractor operation

Job description

Morven Kitchen Garden is looking for UVA students passionate about sustainable agriculture and community outreach to be farm crew members. In these paid positions, farm crew members will gain hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture: crop selection and season planning, vegetable cultivation for soil health, natural resource management, tools and techniques of small-scale agriculture, as well as leading educational and service events. Farm crew members will learn about topics in regenerative agriculture such as seed-saving for preserving cultural heritage, food sovereignty, reduced tillage for maximizing soil ecology and nutrient cycling, integrated pest management for reduced chemical reliance, and more. This role is grounded in the three overarching goals of the Morven Sustainability Lab (MSL) Strategic Action Plan: EXPLORE (the future matters), EXPERIENCE (today matters), and CO-CURATE (the past matters). UVA students from all disciplinary backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

EXPLORE (the future matters)

Create and support experimental labs and classrooms dedicated to discovering models, practices, and narratives that renew our connections to one another and to other species, propelling us toward a sustainable future.

Learn and lead activities in planting, weeding, harvesting, and operating farm equipment (including weed whackers and tractors), building practical skills in small-scale sustainable agriculture.

Assist the Morven faculty/staff team in executing the MSL Strategic Action Plan, contributing to Morven's role as a living laboratory for sustainable land practices.

Be part of a student leadership team that imagines new initiatives and coordinates with Morven staff on workshops, guest speakers, new projects, and other programming that advances MSL's sustainability mission.

EXPERIENCE (today matters)

Immerse our community in meaningful encounters and experiences with nature in Morven's varied landscapes, enabling us to flourish-individually and collectively-today and into the future.

Engage the community through volunteer events, educational workshops, and food security outreach, creating meaningful connections between people and Morven's landscape. Be an ambassador to the world of sustainable food, land stewardship, and more to the 500+ volunteers who serve at our garden annually.

Wash, weigh, and pack fresh produce for distribution through UVA Dine wholesale, local food insecurity efforts, and our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) membership program, directly connecting the UVA community with locally grown food.

Create and share social media posts and website content to share Morven's story with a broader audience.

CO-CURATE (the past matters)

Recognize, respect, and extend Morven's landscape biography-including the histories of its past residents and their land labor, land uses, and land practices-as contributing to Morven's present beauty, land values, and cultural meanings, as well as its future-oriented sustainability practices.

Maintain accurate logs and organized records in compliance with GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certification, contributing to an archive that honors the ongoing story of Morven's land stewardship.

Capture photos and videos of programs and save them to the MKG archive, preserving a visual record of Morven's evolving land practices and community connections for future stewards.

Learn and share the art of seed-saving of crops of cultural importance, and contribute to our seed donation program.

Ideal Candidates will have:

• An interest in farming and/or gardening.
• Passion for sustainability and/or natural resource management
• Attention to detail, good listening, and communication skills.
• The ability to work both as part of a team and independently.
• The ability to work outside under various weather conditions including heat, cold, and rain.

Timeframe

Spring academic semester at UVA, with the option to continue in the Summer if wok performance is satisfactory.

Weekly Hours

10 hours per week while class is in session, 20 hours per week during UVA's Summer vacation; must work a consistent weekly schedule within the Monday-Friday 8am-5pm timeframe. Occasional weekend or evening shifts may be required.

Compensation

$15 per hour; includes a portion of the farm's fresh produce.

Minimum Requirements

• Resume and cover letter required
• Current full-time student at UVA (both current graduate and undergraduate students welcome)
• Must have reliable means of transportation to and from their work shift each day.
• Must be able to interact and communicate respectfully with persons of all backgrounds
• This is primarily a manual labor position, and candidates must be able to safely lift up to 40 pounds unassisted
• Occasional travel to attend meetings may be rquired
• Occasional operation of machinery, including a tractor, yard maintenance equipment,