INTERNSHIPS & Volunteer Positions
This is a great way to extend your learning about Permaculture, to increase your understanding of sustainability and to deepen your relationship with the forces of nature. The Vida Verde letter of recommendation following these practices can open opportunities in many areas of work.
Volunteers & interns will refine their gardening skills and deepen their understanding of Permaculture systems. They will work a variety of projects of Earth Care such as:
- water management
- forest gardening
- fruit tree care
- composting
- nursery & plant propagation
- building soil fertility
- water retention landscaping
The objective of this learning experience to provide a depth of understanding of long term land, water and waste management strategies, and organic gardening. Interns will be exposed to a wide range of applications of appropriate technology and practices of Permaculture. This is often a life-changing, transformative experience that will teach you to think, live and breath with consideration for the Earth and all of nature. Interns and volunteers work in coordination with the land stewards Zia Parker and Roshni McEldowney, designing, implementing and maintaining inter-related projects. We ask that volunteers and interns be ready to work on whatever is the priority of the day, and this can change frequently.
Volunteer requirements: minimum 2 weeks, spend a minimum of 6 hours a day, 4 days a week in priority projects. We find most volunteers prefer to work full days, then have a 3 day weekend to explore the area, because there is so much to do here.
Internship requirements: minimum one month (3 months recommended), spending a minimum of 8 hours a day, 4 days a week in priority projects. We provide: camping facilities (we do not provide tents or bedding), an outdoor kitchen, hot water shower, Internet via Fiber Optic (access via ethernet plug), bathrooms.
Interns receive weekly personal coaching sessions with Zia and Roshni to help them take advantage of their stay here to learn how to design your life for sustainability, as well as to clarify your life mission, current goals and perceive the next step, as appropriate. This can take the form of incubation of sustainable enterprises, or career advice or training on how start your own farm or find your community. With each individual, our goal is to form an experience that is relevant to your interest and your path of study. Sometimes, this may mean forming or joining with a project that is your special focus throughout your stay here.
Internship fee:
$250 / month.
We provide for volunteers & interns: covered camping space, outdoor kitchen, hot water shower, bathrooms, Internet via Fiber Optic (access via ethernet plug). We cook the mid-day meal and we eat that meal together. Otherwise, volunteers cook for themselves. We provide grains and basic dry goods and food from the gardens. A $5./ day donation is appreciated, but not a requirement.
Accommodation in the cabana is $200/mo extra. Photos available under www.vidaverde.info/bioconstruction.
Camping is free, but you must bring your blankets, or sleeping bag, according to your preference. We have limited tents, ask if a tent is available when you apply.
To apply, copy this email application, paste it into the body of an email and send it to ziaparker@yahoo.com .
Application
Contact Information:
Name_________________________________________Date____________________
Address_________________________________________________________________
City_________________________________State/Province_________Mail Code_______________
Phone #, Skype______________________________Best Time to Call_____________________
Email___________________________________________________________________
Personal Information:
Gender_______________Age__________
Do you exercise regularly?_______If yes, what do you do?________________________
Any dietary restrictions?________Please elaborate:______________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Any allergies?_________Please list:__________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Any other important details about yourself (i.e. special needs, religious practices, etc)
_______________________________________________________________________
Please respond to the following questions. Use extra paper if necessary.
1) How does this experience fit into your future plans?
2) What are you hoping to gain from your participation in this program?
3) How did you hear about VidaVerde?
Reasons for Applying:
Areas of Interest. Check all that apply.
____ ecological restoration
____ education
____ marketing & sales
____ pasture management
____ perennial crops
____ permaculture
____ poultry
____ soil fertility
____ vegetable production
____ seed production
____ whole farm systems design
Background:
Please respond to the following. Use extra paper if necessary.
What level of education have you completed?
Brief description of work and/or school experience in the past 5 years
What is your gardening/farming experience or training? (Explain in detail: duties performed, skills learned, where you worked, etc.)
What other relevant skills do you have? (Carpentry, herbology, Spanish language, etc.)
What are your biggest challenges in the work environment?
Do you prefer working alone, with others, or both? Please explain. Do you prefer to take charge and direct others, receive direction, or a mix of both? Please explain.
What community living experience and/or camping experience do you have?
When are you able to start working?
Do you need to be finished working by a certain date?
Please list three personal references. Include name, phone number, relationship and length of relationship.
Please send a photo of yourself if possible.
Email completed applications to: ziaparker@zoho.com