Internship – Mustard Seed Farm

Last Updated On: May 7th, 2026 at 07:37PM MST

Contact information

Dirección de la granja:
366 W Ave.
Ames, Iowa, 50014

Primary Contact: Alice McGary
Secondary Contact: Solveig Orngard

Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: (978) 471-8414
    Email: mustardseebee@gmail.com

Secondary Phone
    Type: '-----
    Number: (515) 468-5971
    Email: outreach.mustardseed@gmail.com

    Email: outreach.mustardseed@gmail.com

Website: https://www.mustardseedfarm.org/

Internship information

General Farm Description: Mustard Seed Community Farm is an evolving 11-acre,16-year-old, volunteer-based farm dedicated to ethical food production/distribution, ecological land use and community. Using organic and sustainable methods, we grow a diverse variety of vegetables and fruits for local food donation venues, workers, and paying members. The farm raises chickens, sheep and bees in addition to practicing prairie and savannah reconstruction. Land stewardship activities include prairie restoration, crop rotation, minimal tillage, cover cropping, and permaculture and regenerative farming inspired practices. We promote community interaction by hosting regular potlucks, a variety of classes and workshops, and other social events. We welcome persons of all backgrounds, spiritual beliefs, genders and sexualities.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Fecha de inicio de las prácticas: 1-May-25
Fin de las prácticas: 15-Oct-25
Number of Internship Available: 4
Application Deadline: 15-Mar-25
Minimum Length of Stay: 8 semanas

Internship Details:

The Agroecology Intern position at Mustard Seed Community Farm is multifaceted. Farm work includes 30 hrs/week of physical farm labor, daily planning, group cooperation, and leading volunteers. Interns contribute a vital role in the life of the farm, including meal preparation, daily chores, and collaboration with the farm team through consensus decision-making.

Interns learn skills like: crop care and management, farm planning, volunteer leadership, permaculture design, and prairie/chicken/sheep/beehive care. Agricultural experience/education preferred but not required.

Send a cover letter with your goals for an internship, resume, and 2 references to mustardseedbee@gmail.com and outreach.mustardseed@gmail.com, or
apply in the Handshake system. Applications considered on a rolling basis.

Questions? Contact outreach.mustardseed@gmail.com.

Educational Opportunities: Our Interns will gain invaluable interpersonal community experience and practical living skills. They will also have opportunities to attend weekly farm classes on a variety of related subjects. In addition, Interns can choose learning opportunities to pursue, such as: ➢ Practicing regenerative agriculture, permaculture design, prairie reconstruction, or fruit production. ➢ Practicing carpentry, seed saving, natural dye, or food preservation. ➢ Gaining research experience in collaboration with the Practical Farmers of Iowa. ➢ Teaching youth and adults in summer classes at the farm. ➢ Writing for our newspaper, CSA newsletters, website, or social media.

Skills Desired: ➢ An interest in food sovereignty-based agriculture and social justice. ➢ An ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds. ➢ An acceptance of the challenge of simple living conditions, including: ○ Limited access to hot running water, electricity, and internet. ○ Heat and humidity. ○ Physical horticultural labor (weeding, mulching, hoeing, etc.). In addition to our basic qualifications, we are seeking applicants with agricultural and communications skills, such as any of the following: ➢ Annual/perennial horticultural skills and knowledge. ➢ Farm systems management experience. ➢ Community outreach/education/communication. ➢ Basic fluency in Spanish. We encourage you to apply if you don’t meet all the qualifications but have a strong desire to intern with us.

Meals: Yes. All meals are provided though interns are expected to contribute to cooking and food prep/cleanup. Most of the food comes from the farm!

Stipend: We offer a small weekly stipend to cover basic living expenses. Ask us for more information.

Housing: Simple room and board are provided (limited access to air conditioning and running water).

Preferred method of Contact: Correo electrónico