Seminary Hill Farm Internships
About Seminary Hill Farm: Seminary Hill Farm is integral to the Methodist Theological School in Ohio (MTSO), 30 minutes north of Columbus in Delaware. We grow food for our campus dining hall, our community-supported agriculture (CSA) program, non-profit partners, and food banks. The farm has capacity for ten acres of production with a greenhouse, high tunnels, and caterpillar tunnels in addition to fields and is being managed with organic practices.
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, considering soil health at the forefront of decisions.
Seminary Hill Farm is a reflection of MTSO’s commitment to a just, sustainable and generative world.
Farm intern overview: Interns fully engage in stewardship tasks for seasonal vegetable production and delivery. Prior farming and gardening experience 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, food bank and non-profit 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 to and 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 is an important part of the farm day, allowing additional interaction with our permanent farm team, our chef/farmers, and a range of guests
- Participating in marketing, communication, and community building aspects of the farm.
- Engaging with MTSO’s land stewardship initiative in prairie development, invasive species removal, and pond/stream management.
Who can apply: The intern experience is open to all who have a calling to steward the land and engaging in justice-oriented personal and community development. We welcome people from diverse life paths and stages. We welcome all ages (17 and over) and all skill levels. Flexible schedules are available.
Compensation package
- Wage and hours: interns will work 40-hour weeks ($13/hour, no overtime) while participating in all aspects of day-to-day farm work.
- Food: Interns will have lunch at the dining hall (when open) and a free CSA share.
- Housing: On-campus one bedroom or studio apartments are provided furnished with a bed and table.
- 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 be able to accomplish the farm work listed above and the ability to work outside in all types of weather. Self-pacing and ergonomics are encouraged.
Schedule: Start and end dates are flexible. The season for internships spans March through mid-November annually. Please indicate your preferred start date in your application.
Supervisors: Seminary Hill Farm CSA/Volunteer/Intern Coordinator and Farm Manager.
FLSA status: Full-time, seasonal, hourly
Application deadline for 2024: Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis. Early applications are strongly encouraged.
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.
If you have questions that are not answered here, please 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.