Farm Internships

We are looking for a few more interns who are both interested in learning about growing organic vegetables and fruits and actively participating in the work of sustainable living:

                1. Processing Kitchen Intern. For several years now, our jarred products have doubled in sales and the job of coordinating everything that is required to make our product line continues to be crucial to what we do here. This intern would spend most of their time in the processing kitchen with our current Kitchen Manager and perhaps a small amount of time helping in the field or with various tasks around the farm. Responsibilities might include preparing, cooking, and jarring product, keeping inventory of ingredients & supplies, keeping detailed production records, and organizing the space, supplies, and utensils.

                2. Field Intern.  Infinitely complicated, the field is where the vast majority of our labor is spent and lost. It requires someone who is very well-organized and prepared to immerse themselves in every aspect of the growing conditions of our crops. The Field Intern will work and learn alongside our Field Managers to maintain crop and soil integrity by monitoring weather conditions, irrigation, field inputs, growth rates, disease, pests, etc. The Field Intern will also be responsible for helping coordinate labor management in the field.

                3. Farmhouse Intern. As more people live here, it becomes harder to organize and coordinate everything that is happening in the field, kitchen, and house simultaneously. We would like to have one intern who was our anchor in the house. This would mostly incorporate two responsibilities: coordinating house meals (including keeping the pantry and kitchen supplies stocked and cooking meals) and organizing space (including common areas in the house as well as large storage areas around the farm).  

                4. General Intern. The three positions above are where we most clearly need help however we remain open to crafting responsibilities and roles around the strengths, weaknesses, and interests of people who apply. If you are not sure if any of the above roles would suit you or think you have other skills that could be best utilized in a different capacity, let us know. 

For a comprehensive description of opportunities for interns and our expectations, please read the following document about interning at Tomato Mountain: Internship.doc. Email Stephanie at tomatomountain@wekz.net 

 Farmers' Market Employees

At Tomato Mountain Farm we value relationships, and there’s no better way to develop relationships with our customers than to have a consistent presence with a knowledgeable person behind our table at each farmers’ markets

And we do a lot of farmers' markets! In 2010, we'll be doing over 20 markets in the Chicago area, plus several in Wisconsin including Kenosha, Milwaukee, and Madison. New markets sprout up every year, and we’re never afraid to jump in—provided we have the staff to do so. If you’re enthusiastic, reliable, available for the full season (generally June through October), have a car, and can lift 50 pounds, we’d love to talk with you about the prospects of working for Tomato Mountain Farm. Most of our markets are on weekends, so even if you simply want to work a Saturday market while keeping your day job, we’re game if you are. There will also be a few opportunities for nearly full-time work (four to six markets per week).

A farmers’ market employee is the face of Tomato Mountain Farm to the public, so we’re careful to put interested, knowledgeable, and informed employees behind the table. You’ll train with experienced market sellers, make a trip to the farm to see how and where our products originate, and, for those who are interested, there will be an opportunity to help out at the farm with a big harvest (like during peak strawberry or tomato season) so you can really speak from experience.

Relationships with our employees are important, too. We know that our farmers’ market sales staff is integral to our success, and we welcome the opportunity to develop a continuing relationship from season to season, or finding another place in our ever-growing operation to use your skills. Everyone’s skills and interests need to be satisfied over time, and we prefer to recruit from within and build on current relationships whenever possible.

To learn more,

If you email us, please include a phone number where you can be reached.

 

Farm Volunteer

While we only have so much room for paid interns, volunteers are always welcome at the farm, any time of the growing season. As mentioned above, we always need some extra hands in June for strawberries and from mid-July through September for tomatoes. There are also plenty of small projects to work on. We do require that volunteers come for the times that have been worked out between the volunteer and the farm manager or give advance notice if that isn't possible. Please wear proper attire - long pants, long sleeves, and comfortable work shoes or light boots are absolutely necessary for most work, even if it is 90 degrees outside (and 100 in the hoophouses!). A hat is very helpful, and make sure you have water with you at all times (we can provide the water). Work gloves and tools are all at the farm. TIP: Don't count on sunscreen to do a lick of good.