FARM INTERN

Job Description

Job Description

Farm Internship for Emerging Urban Farmers

2026

Part-time/seasonal

About Common Ground: Common Ground is home to a charter high school, a non-profit urban farm and an environmental education center. The site includes 20 acres of forested hiking trails, wildlife and diverse natural habitats, and a working farm that includes production and education gardens and a variety of farm animals. Common Ground is a center for learning and leadership, inviting people across ages and identities to connect to their urban environment, build community, grow into their full potential, and contribute to a just and sustainable world.For more information visit www.commongroundct.org.

The Common Ground Urban Farm is a 1 acre farm based in New Haven, CT, which models sustainable agriculture, engages youth, students, and city residents in educational opportunities, and provides healthy produce to the surrounding community. The farm grows 13,000 lbs of fresh produce annually, including vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers. We also raise laying hens, ducks, turkeys, goats + sheep. Farm products go to our Cafeteria, Farm Share Program (CSA), Farm Stand + more! Farm work is done with the Farm Director, Farm Manager, Food Justice Education Coordinator, Compost Program staff and alongside our High School Aged Green Jobs Program youth.

Job Description: The Farm Internship for Emerging Urban Farmers aims to support the development of aspiring farmers and sustainable agriculture leaders. 3-4 interns will gain in-person experience and lesson based learning in aspects of planting, growing, maintaining a diversified sustainable vegetable operation, small scale livestock management, and food justice issues. The internship balances a supportive place of learning and a fast paced environment where we are working to feed a lot of people in our community during the Summer.

• Specific farm tasks may include planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, preparing for farm share (our Community Supported Agriculture program which serves 50+ New Haven residents with sliding scale weekly food shares) and markets, keeping crop records, caring for farm animals, processing food waste for our midscale aerated static pile composting system, and a variety of other tasks.
• Interns will have embedded rotations through programmatic responsibilities like farm stands, compost production, and animal chores.
• There will be field trips to learn from other farms and about food justice work going on in the New Haven area.
• Interns are expected to teach or lead a conversation with the crew on a topic of their choice.
• There are opportunities for additional hours doing weekend farm work, staffing our farm stands, or continuing past the end date.

*Several summer programs for children ages 4 – 18 take place on the farm. Interns do not have daily responsibilities working with these programs, but must be mature and good role models for all children on the farm. Interns will be working as a team with a group of 5-6 teenagers who are employed by CG.

Qualifications:

• Previous garden experience is not necessary although welcomed
• A strong interest in deepening farming + food systems knowledge + skills with a focus on food justice
• Willingness + ability to work hard, physically in all weather: be able to lift 25+ lbs and kneel/crouch for extended periods of time.
• Comes prepared and is adaptable to the ever changing priorities of the farm
• Good communication + interpersonal skills with people of all ages and a good sense of humor.
• Ability to learn, to ask questions, + also take initiative, to work both with + without direct supervision
• Demonstrated commitment, reliability, punctuality, + responsible behavior
• Uphold the safety procedures and precautions to keep ourselves and community safe
• 18 years or older

Work Schedule & Compensation

• There is 1 internship spot available from May 26 through August 13 (12 Weeks).
• There is 1 internship spot available from May 26 through mid November (24+ weeks). Starting August 11th, this position is approximately 10 hours on the farm and 10 hours on the Mobile Farmers Market on Tuesday afternoon and Thursdays.
• Hours will be 20 hours per week, 3 days Tue-Thur 8:30-3. *The first two orientation weeks are 10-15 hours.
• Compensation: $16.94/hour plus weekly farm produce.
• Housing: Housing is not provided.
• Classification: This is a temporary internship that is not represented by Common Ground’s Collective Bargaining Agreement

Transportation: Parking is available on-site, as are bicycle racks. We have a bus-stop on site (take the 243-B bus from the New Haven Green), + we are walking distance from New Haven’s Westville, Westrock neighborhoods.

To Apply
Please apply on the ADP website by March 15, you must include a cover letter and resume for your application to be considered.

Nondiscrimination Policy and Notice

Pursuant to Title IX and its regulations (“Final Rule” released on April 19, 2024), the Board of Directors has adopted and implemented a policy stating that the Common Ground District does not discriminate on the basis of sex and prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity it operates, including admission and employment. Common Ground High School does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, status as a veteran, status as a victim of domestic violence, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, protective hairstyles, alienage, ancestry, age, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law and prohibits discrimination, including harassment, in any education program or activity it operates. The Board shall provide protections from all forms of sex-based harassment, including sexual violence and unwelcome sex-based conduct that creates a hostile environment by limiting or denying a person’s ability to participate in or benefit from a school’s education program or activity. The Common Ground District shall take prompt and effective action to end any sex discrimination in its education programs or activities to provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of sex discrimination complaints, prevent recurrence, and remedy its effects. To that end, the District shall act promptly and effectively in response to information about conduct that reasonably may constitute discrimination, including sexual violence and other forms of sex-based harassment. The district shall also ensure that all school employees are trained about their obligations to address sex discrimination and their obligations to notify or provide contact information for the Title IX Coordinator. The Common Ground Board of Directors Non-discrimination policy includes protections for students, employees, and applicants against discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, or recovery from these conditions and shall provide reasonable modifications for students based on pregnancy or related conditions, allow for lactation for employees, and access to a clean, private lactation space for students and employees. Common Ground shall not disclose personally identifiable information obtained through complying with Title IX, with limited exceptions, such as when there had been prior written consent or when the information is disclosed to the parent of a minor. Retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, makes a report of harassment or discrimination, files a complaint of harassment or discrimination, serves as a witness, or participates in an investigation or grievance process is also a violation of Common Ground District’s non-discrimination policy and is prohibited.