1959 Highlander Way · New Market, TN 37820 · phone: (865) 933-3443 · fax: (865) 933-3424
e-mail: hrec@highlandercenter.org

Farm Internship Available

Update - 9/19/09 - This position has been filled. Please check this site or Highlander's blog for future job and internship postings at Highlander.

Highlander has an opening for a farm intern, to work on our 180-acre farm in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in East Tennessee. The internship will run from August through November 2009.

The intern's primary responsibilities will include helping with the following:

• Caring for a 500-tree apple and peach orchard, including pruning and harvesting.
• Helping to develop markets for the fruit from the orchard.
• Transporting apples and peaches to local farmers markets and staffing the Highlander table at these markets.
• Assisting in general maintenance of the Highlander farm.

Other activities will include greeting guests, leading tours of Highlander's farm, and helping to develop a long-term vision and plan for Highlander's land and facilities.

The intern will work with Highlander's Farm Manager and other members of the staff Building and Grounds Team. There will also be the opportunity to do independent study, learn about other aspects of Highlander's work, and participate in life at Highlander.

Qualifications for the internship include:

• Ability and interest in doing physical labor.
• Experience working on a farm, with tractors and other farm equipment.
• Experience with fruit trees helpful, but not required.
• Commitment to social, economic, and environmental justice
• Ability to work well with a multi-racial, intergenerational staff and to interact with a wide range of people.
• Sense of humor.
• Drivers license.

The internship pays a $200 per week stipend, plus a small health insurance allowance. Housing is available, and interns are welcome to share meals prepared during Highlander workshops. However, these are not available on a regular basis, and interns are generally responsible for their own food. Interns are housed with up to two roommates in an intern house on the Highlander farm. Generally, Highlander requires a total of 30 flexible hours per week, with weekend work as an essential element.

To apply for the internship, please forward a letter of interest including the following information:

• Why do you want to intern at Highlander?
• What experience have you had working on a farm and/or with fruit trees?
• How do you see your interests and the work of Highlander connecting?
• Do you have specific skills to offer?
• What do you feel you can learn here?
• Do you have your own transportation?

Please be sure to include your complete address, phone number, e-mail address and available start date so we can contact you about your application.

Please forward your letter of interest, your resume, and contact information (including phone numbers) for three references to:

Rob Reining
Operations Coordinator/Financial Officer
1959 Highlander Way
New Market, TN 37820
rob (at) highlandercenter.org
(865) 933-3443 x223

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