NEEM periodically accepts interns. Here is the announcement for Fall 2010 internship applications:

Location: Durham, North Carolina

Natural Environmental and Ecological Management (NEEM), a sustainable urban agriculture organization replicating the Cuban model in Durham, NC, seeks fall intern to work closely with the Executive Director on all related nursery operations. NEEM serves as a center of urban agriculture that provides the infrastructure and supplies needed to support year-round food production capability in individual, school, park and disused properties in Durham. Last year we placed 5 school, 7 community and 30 individual raised bed gardens (9000+ sq ft positively affecting 20 + urban acres) in Durham. These urban farms provide food security, address obesity, nutrition, break the fast food chain and provide capacity while promoting self-reliance.

With the help of volunteers and our partners, NEEM is renovating a 1900’s florist shop, garden, and greenhouse on the historic Rolls Estate (founded in 1899) in the Lakewood community in the West End of Durham. After years of inactivity, this historic site is once again destined to become a community gathering space for the Durham community and the urban garden, nursery & Organiponoco. This fall NEEM will be operating a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program at its community garden, helping to build raised-bed gardens in the community, hosting garden and food-related workshops, and selling starter plants from the nursery (retail and by contract) as well as Organic OMRI related garden supplies.

NEEM is dedicated to providing its intern(s) with a unique educational experience in the areas of organic urban agriculture and sustainable community development. This is a significant opportunity to learn about the operation and management of a garden and greenhouse nursery facility that grows soil and uses biological alternatives to chemical inputs. The intern(s) will learn the basics of developing and running a CSA program as well as non-profit administrative skills. For intern(s) with interest and experience, the responsibilities for this position may be expanded.

Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the fall intern may include but are not limited to the following:

  • Provide Executive Director with day-to-day operational support
  • Assist in basic nursery, garden & vermi-composting tasks as needed
  • Manage the Community Supported Agriculture program (grow, harvest, package, and oversee pick-up of produce for CSA members)
  • Work in the historic shop & greenhouse selling items to customers
  • Assist with garden, nursery and food-related educational workshops
  • Oversee volunteers during Saturday volunteer workdays from 10AM – 1PM at NEEM’s Organiponoco.
  • Assist with building gardens in the Durham community throughout the year.

Qualifications

  • A demonstrated interest in urban agriculture/farming/gardening
  • Highly motivated individual capable of working independently without supervision
  • Reliable, trustworthy, and committed to working at least 20 hours/week
  • Capable of exploring funding resources and pursuing them
  • Responsible at keeping transaction records & handling money
  • Comfortable working in low-moderate income neighborhoods
  • Flexible schedule
  • Must be at least 18 years of age (fluent Spanish not required but a benefit)
  • Some basic knowledge and experience in horticulture or nursery preferred

Time Commitment

Part time temporary positions in fall/winter 2010. Exact start and end dates are flexible. Should be able to work at least 20 hours per week. Must have a flexible schedule with some weekend work is necessary.

Compensation

Benefits include training in garden operations and a free membership to the fall/winter CSA (a $285 value). NEEM pays interns a stipend against work. To date interns have helped find resources that allowed for a higher payment. We are performance based. Sell shares, get involved, develop funding outlets and get paid more. A cooperative living space is on site and room may be available but not guaranteed. Other residual income outlets exist.

To Apply

Please send a resume, a cover letter, and three references (names and contact information) to urbangardens@neemtree.org and Cc to neem@mindspring.com and mail to: NEEM, attn. Jeffrey Ensminger, 614 Shepherd Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701. E-mail is preferred (Please send everything as one document). Review of applications will begin August 15, 2010.

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NEEM.org is a start up 501(c)3 (pending) non-profit corporation with methods of operation that have the purpose of affecting public/private sector policies that impact human health, the environment, community and sustainability through promotion and education of effective, naturally occurring biological alternatives.

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