One of my favorite things about gardening - fresh starts and new beginnings. (Corny, but true.)
There was a moment when I knew book learning was no longer enough for this I-think-I-want-this-to-be-my-career gardener. Figuring out what the next step should be was not easy. I made things harder on myself by refusing to commute to NYC or to shell out big bucks for a degree. I wasn’t from the area and the local opportunities and resources weren’t obvious to me.
Looking back (and still learning everyday ), the greatest education I’ve gotten has been from hands-on experience. And I’ve never met a gardener or farmer who couldn’t use a little extra cash for education. So here’s some info I hope can be helpful to anyone hoping to learn more about the wonderful world of gardening. Please pass along!
SCHOLARSHIP
2011 Dominic Parise Master Gardener Scholarship, CCE Ulster
Established in honor of former Horticultural Assistant, Dominic Parise, who played a critical role in revitalizing the Master Gardener Program in Ulster County.
Who is eligible: Any college or college bound student in Ulster County pursuing a horticulture, agriculture or environmental biology degree.
Amount: $500
Deadline: Applications must be postmarked before April 15th. (Transcripts and recommendations required, be sure to request ahead of time!)
Get an application: Online at http://www.cceulster.org/, or you can download the PDF here.
INTERNSHIPS
Hudson Valley Seed Library
The folks behind those gorgeous heirloom seed packs you’ve seen featuring work of local artists, Hudson Valley Seed Library is committed to providing an accessible and affordable source of regionally-adapted seeds that is maintained by a community of caring farmers and gardeners.
Positions available: March-Nov., April-June, Aug.-Oct. Work 4-5 days per week, but is negotiable. Housing provided.
Work description: This year HVSL will be hand-cultivating 2-3 acres and over 75 varieties of flowers, vegetables, and herbs, mostly for seed. Duties include farm labor (weeding, planting, seed starting, cultivating, harvesting, seed saving, seed processing), seed house (packing seeds, shipping orders, seed storage, blog posts), and land (orchard, chickens, mowing, scything, light construction/demolition, homestead chores).
To apply: Email name, address, phone number, resume including any garden/farm experience, two references (1 personal, 1 job), which position you are applying for (can be 1 or all 3) and a brief statement explaining why you are interested in the internship to mail@seedlibrary.org.
Deadline: February 27th
Locust Grove
Locust Grove – The Samuel Morse Historic Estate, located in Poughkeepsie.
Position available: May-August or April-October, 40 hours/week. Housing provided. Must have own vehicle.
Work description: Work directly with staff in all aspects of horticulture including historic garden restoration, grounds maintenance, special events and public education. Students and recent graduates of college or certificate programs in horticulture, landscape design and architecture, plant science and related fields who seek practical experience in a public garden are encouraged to apply.
To Apply: Submit cover letter, resume and two references to Timothy Steinhoff, Locust Grove, 2683 South Rd., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.
845-454-4500 ext.216 | http://www.lgny.org/
View internship listing here.
Stonecrop Gardens
The season long internships at Stonecrop are already filled for the 2011 season, but the program is so fantastic I wanted to include it anyway.
Located in Cold Spring, Stonecrop Gardens is a former residence that became a public garden in 1992. Features 12 acres of diverse display gardens, extensive plant collection and conservatory.
Position available: February – December. 40 hours/week with alternating weekend duties. $3oo/week plus housing.
Work description: Provides students with the opportunity to know, grow, and use plants in a garden setting. Goal is for interns to gain invaluable practical horticultural exposure and experience, as well as a thorough and accurate grounding in all the horticultural skills necessary to a professional in the field. Include garden duties, propagation, greenhouse care, soil prep and personal projects.
To Apply: Send cover letter and resume to garden@stonecrop.org.
Deadline: Apply in summer for positions that start the following February.
845-265-2000 | http://www.stonecrop.org/
View internship listing here.
Interested in learning about CSA’s, farming for market or large scale veggie growing? Check out these Hudson Valley farms for internship opportunities:
Stonegate Farm – Balmville, NY
Rusty Plough Farm – Ellenville, NY
Keith’s Farm – Port Jervis, NY
Fishkill Farms – Hopewell Junction, NY
For additional farming internships, visit the NOFA-NY website.
