Summer Farming Internship – Growing Gardens

Last Updated On: May 7th, 2026 at 07:38PM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
1630 Hawthorn Avenue
Boulder, Colorado, 80304

Primary Contact: Wes Vaughn
Primary Phone:
    Type: Office
    Number: 3034439952
    Email: wesley@growinggardens.org

Website: https://www.growinggardens.org

Internship information

General Farm Description: We farm a total of 3 acres of vegetables and 2 acres of orchard crops, run three large greenhouses with an impressive nursery operation, and rotationally graze a small herd of dairy goats all in the heart of Boulder and Longmont, Colorado. We are always striving toward regenerative and ecologically sound growing practices and are constantly learning and evolving as land stewards. We offer a variety of programs to get people of all ages, backgrounds, income levels, and abilities involved in growing and cooking their own food. These educational opportunities are paired with seed, plant start, and produce donations, as well as gardening space, to impart greater food security and hunger relief in our community.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: 5/11/2026
Internship Ends: 8/14/2026
Number of Internship Available: 2
Application Deadline: 2/28/26 but applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted as they are received
Minimum Length of Stay: 3 months

Internship Details:

Organic Farming Internship

Summer Season 2026

May 11th – August 14th, 2026

 

Reports to: CSA Manager and Farm Coordinator

Job Status: Seasonal Intern, 15 hours per week

Compensation: $400 stipend, qualifies for credit at the university level

Location: Boulder, CO

Check out our Internship Digital Booklet!

Growing Gardens’ mission is to cultivate community through regenerative urban agriculture. Our programs empower people of all ages, income levels, and abilities by connecting them with their local food system, each other, and the environment.  

Our organization values the diverse skills and individuals that come together to create a thriving community and workplace. We are committed to the work we do, and bring our best selves each day, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously, have fun, and enjoy the process of doing good in our community.  We take care of each other and put people at the center of everything we do.

The Summer Organic Farming Intern will work in all operations on the Boulder farm, will work extensively with the Cultiva youth leaders, and must have both the ability and desire to mentor and engage with young people. The Organic Farming Internship is fast paced and requires a great deal of hard work, focus, and care. It is also deeply rewarding.

 

Farm Intern Duties

• Assist the growing team in farm operation.
• Operation and maintenance of tools and equipment.
• Installation and operation of irrigation systems.
• Bed preparation and planting.
• Seeding, transplanting, thinning, and fertilizing seedlings.
• Cultivation and weeding.
• Pest and disease management.
• Harvesting, washing, and packing of crops for CSA, Farm Stand, wholesale accounts, and donations.
• Cover cropping
• Maintenance of grounds and site infrastructure.
• Record-keeping 
• Assist, teach, and oversee diverse populations with greenhouse, wash station, and field related tasks 

 

Structure of Internship

• • Internship duration is May 11th– August 14th, 2026
  • Total stipend amount is $400 paid at the end of the internship.
  • Intern position is 15 hours per week. These hours will be spread out over two or three days each week.

• Intern must attend orientation Monday, May 11th from 8:30AM-1:00PM.

• Intern will be working closely with a mentor from GG staff who will oversee all daily activities; an intern supervisor is available upon request for meetings and provides general oversight of Growing Gardens’ internship program.
• Learning Objectives Contract – Developed within the first month of internship. This includes: position description, educational objectives, learning activities, and skill development.
• Evaluation – A midpoint evaluation and end of internship evaluation will include intern self-evaluation, supervisor, and mentor evaluation.

 

Benefits of Interning with Growing Gardens

• Your own weekly share ($20-$25 value) of fresh seasonal vegetables. each week from the garden June-August as the season permits.
• Experience working on a diversified vegetable farm 
• Hands-on experience making a positive impact in the lives of children, teens, and adults
• Community connections and networking within the burgeoning local food movement
• Friendly work environment
• Develop marketable leadership and management skills
• Opportunity to participate in various gardening classes
• All Growing Gardens internships qualify for University credit if desired by the intern
• Farm is centrally located and easily accessed via public transportation
• Access to a wide variety of discounted organic seeds and plant starts including 50% off at our Plant Sale

• 50% off produce grown on our farm sold at the farm stand

 

Qualifications

• Farm or gardening experience is a bonus, but not required for this position
• Responsible, dedicated, and organized individual 
• Strong work ethic and a passion for learning how to grow food and develop community 
• Ability to work early morning hours
• Ability to hustle and thrive under pressure
• Physically capable of manual tasks, including lifting 40 pounds, as well as bending and kneeling for hours at a time. 

 

Growing Gardens prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment and will take affirmative measures to ensure against them, especially if they are carried out on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, neurodiversity, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation or political affiliation. This policy applies to all employees or potential employees, volunteers, participants, members of the Growing Gardens Board of Directors, people who serve on Growing Gardens’ committees, and anyone attending Growing Gardens’ events.  This policy extends to all aspects of employment at Growing Gardens, including hiring, transfer, promotion, training, working conditions, policies, compensation, evaluation, discipline, and termination.

   

To apply:

Send resume and cover letter, that includes below information to Wesley Vaughn: wesley@growinggardens.org Please include your name and “Summer Organic Farming Internship” in the subject line.

Applications due February 28th, 2026 but the position will remain open until filled.

 

In your cover letter, please include:

• Any previous volunteer and/or work in an agricultural setting
• What assets and skills you would bring to our team 
• What you hope to gain from this internship
• What days of the week and times you are available for this 15 hour/week internship.

Educational Opportunities: Experiential learning, learning seminars and workshops, Growing Gardens classes, gain skills and understanding of organic food starts, heirloom tomatoes and veggies

Skills Desired: We are looking for individuals who are passionate about learning how to grow food and community. The programs of Growing Gardens depend on the plants and food produced in the greenhouse and fields as earned income for our programs. The Greenhouse Grower must be responsible, dedicated and organized. While some growing experience is desired it is not required for this position.

Meals: No

Stipend: $400 upon completion

Housing: No

Preferred method of Contact: Email