The Big Head Farm Farm College Internship Program

The Basics:

The two internship positions at Big Head Farm provide the opportunity to observe, actively participate, ask questions and learn about small farming. By no means will the internship be easy. It requires hard work and long hours, but offers the benefit of being a part of the inner workings of a small commercial farm. Ideal candidates are self-motivated, college students looking for agricultural training with a community purpose, and in-the-field training. We grow numerous varieties of vegetables, herbs and flowers as well as 17 acres of blueberries. All of the crops we grow are distributed within 120 miles of the farm through our CSA program, a farmers market in Chicago and small area restaurants.

Interns work full-time with our staff (up to 65 hours per week), for a six month period beginning in May and ending in late October. A typical schedule is ten hours per day (6 am to 4 or 5 pm) with a one hour lunch break. Interns will work Monday through Friday and alternating Saturdays. You will compensated as follows: our intern apartment with a bath, kitchen and separate entrance. A weekly or monthly stipend will be determined at the time of hire and is subject to taxes. Farm produce, eggs and blueberries are provided as the season allows. We will try to take field trips over the course of the internship to other farms in the area whenever possible - other organic farms, dairies, community and urban gardens and fruit growers. We offer a weekly community meal and a stable working environment with a fun management staff and crew.

Your Qualifications:

We are looking for reliable, responsible, hardworking students who are able to take direction and communicate well with others. Excellent people skills, initiative, and the ability to work daily with hands, wrists and back are essential. You should be able to lift 50 pounds regularly. Interns should expect to work outside in all weather conditions (rain, snow and 90+ degree heat) and have a valid United States driver's license. While previous farming experience is beneficial it is not required. It is essential that candidates be committed to a farming lifestyle and all that it demands. Finding a good match between what our farm can offer and the expectations of an intern are very important to us. Interns are essential to the successful operation of the farm each season.

Job Description:

At Big Head Farm, interns are involved in all aspects of the farm. Farm work requires a rigorous, fast-paced agricultural setting and offers an incredibly rewarding work environment and life experience. Please consider this commitment before applying. Here's a week long schedule we've used in the past:

1. Monday - field work including, irrigating, weeding, transplanting, direct planting, etc. Check, spray, weed, irrigate and/or harvest blueberries.
   
   Tuesday - field work including, irrigating, weeding, transplanting, direct planting, etc. Harvest for CSA delivery customers. Check, spray, weed, irrigate and/or harvest blueberries.
   
   Wednesday - finish harvesting for CSA deliveries, pack CSA boxes, distribute CSA in Chicago. Field work including, irrigating, weeding, transplanting, direct planting, etc. Wednesday is a long day as the CSA deliveries finish around 9pm. Check, spray, weed, irrigate and/or harvest blueberries.
   
   Thursday - field work including, irrigating, weeding, transplanting, direct planting, etc. Check, spray, weed, irrigate and/or harvest blueberries.
   
   Friday - harvest for CSA pick up customers and Saturday farmers market. Load van, set up stand and sell produce at the Southport Farmers' Market. Friday is a long day due to travel back and forth from Chicago. Check, spray, weed, irrigate and/or harvest blueberries.
   
   Saturday - clean up from the weeks work. Check/clean equipment. Greet farm visitors and fill farm orders for vegetables and blueberries.
   
   Sunday - clean up from the weeks work as needed. Check/clean equipment as needed. Rest, if possible.
   

To give you an idea of what type of work interns will be doing - assume digging, hoeing, scuffle hoeing and cultivating:

1. Field Work: includes seeding, transplanting, weeding, thinning, harvesting, digging, pest control, etc. Assisting volunteers in the field.
   
   Greenhouse: seeding, weeding, transplanting, watering, and pest control. Assisting/leading volunteers in the greenhouse.
   
   Wash Station: washing, sorting, packing. Assisting/leading volunteers at the wash station.
   
   Tractor work: bed preparation, mowing, etc. Assisting volunteers on a tour of the equipment - volunteers don't operate equipment.
   
   Distribution: delivering CSA shares, sales at farmers' markets and setting up farm stand.
   
   Repair: work on, maintain tractors, vehicles, quads, UTV's as needed

The Hiring Process:

Please send a cover letter, resume and completed Internship Application to Karen by snail mail or email. If your qualifications meet the minimum requirements for experience and ability to follow direction, we will contact you to schedule a phone or on farm (preferred) interview. Once hired, interns have a two week trial period. At that time we will check to determine if what the farm and the intern can offer is a good match. The farm, or the intern, may end the employment at this time, or commit to the full season. A link to the internship application page.