Seminary Hill Farm Internships
About Seminary Hill Farm: Seminary Hill Farm is integral to Methodist Theological School in Ohio, 30 minutes north of Columbus in Delaware, Ohio. We grow food for our campus dining hall, community-supported agriculture (CSA) program and nonprofit partners. We grow in two passive solar hoop houses, a greenhouse, 13 caterpillar tunnels and 10 acres of field production.
The farm is continuously evolving as we continue to learn about how vibrant ecosystems function. By mimicking nature, we tap into cycles that maintain the biodiversity, resilience and integrity of soils. We seek to minimize off-farm inputs by utilizing more on-farm resources.
Seminary Hill Farm is a reflection of MTSO’s commitment to a just, sustainable and generative world.
FLSA status: Full-time, seasonal, hourly.
Farm intern overview: Interns fully engage in stewardship tasks for seasonal vegetable production, delivery and farm-to-table processing for the Seminary Hill Farm kitchen. Prior farming and gardening experience is not required. Farm tasks include:
- Seeding, seedling and transplant production, planting, and maintenance of fruit and vegetable crops
- Harvest, post-harvest handling and packing of farm products
- CSA and nonprofit distributions
- Small and large equipment and hand tool utilization and maintenance
- Crop water and soil moisture management (sprinkler, drip irrigation, mulching)
- Pest management (monitoring, treating, and application of materials and techniques) of weeds, insects, wildlife destruction and diseases.
Internships are conducted in a collaborative environment with opportunities for multi-dimensional exploration and growth, including:
- Day-to-day work-flow coordination, management and team-advised decision-making processes
- Directing, teaching, and learning from each other and visiting volunteers
- Incorporating life skills into self-designed, land-based independent projects
- Participating in extension opportunities such as regional farm tours, on-site guest lectures and self-care activities
- Daily communal lunch featuring Seminary Hill Farm produce, an important part of the farm day, allowing additional interaction with our permanent farm team, our chef/farmers, and a range of guests.
Who can apply: The intern experience is open to all who have a calling to steward the land and engage in justice-oriented personal and community development.
Compensation package
- Wage and hours: Interns will work 40-hour weeks ($12/hour, no overtime) while participating in all aspects of day-to-day farm work. Intermittent 4-hour shifts on weekends – with corresponding 4 hours off during weekdays – are required.
- Food: Interns will have lunch at the dining hall (when open) and a free CSA share.
- Housing: On-campus, unfurnished student efficiency apartments are provided.
- Academic credit: Interns who are also students can receive academic credit through approval and process of their home institutions.
- Campus amenities: Interns are able to utilize the Dickhaut Library and participate in campus student activities and events.
Physical requirements: Must have the range of motion, strength and stamina to accomplish the farm work listed above, as well as the ability to work outside in all types of weather.
Schedule: Applications are being accepted for a March 2023 start date. Start and end dates are flexible. Please indicate your preferred start date in your application.
To apply, email resume and cover letter to Erin Wiggins: ewiggins@mtso.edu. Letters of recommendation are not required but can be helpful in your application.
To learn more about this opportunity, contact Laura Ann Bergman, SHF CSA/volunteer/intern coordinator at 740-409-1881 or seminaryhillfarm@mtso.edu.
Methodist Theological School in Ohio does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic or national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, ancestry, physical or mental disabilities, military status, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy and parenting status, creed or any other protected class, or other non‐merit reasons. See our notice of nondiscrimination.