Position:  Production Intern 

Hours:  Minimum 10 hours weekly, Tuesday and Thursday mornings  

Timeline:  Mid-March - September (exact dates to be determined; some flexibility in timeline) 

Reports to:   Farm Production Manager & Farm Production Coordinator 

About Coastal Roots Farm 

Coastal Roots Farm (CRF) is a nonprofit Jewish community farm and education center. We cultivate healthy, connected communities by integrating sustainable agriculture, food justice, and ancient Jewish wisdom. We are located in Encinitas, CA on approximately 17 acres of land which we recognize as indigenous to the Kumeyaay and Luiseño peoples. Our Farm consists of vegetable production fields, education farm and gardens, a food forest, chickens, and compost operations. Coastal Roots Farm was incubated by the Leichtag Foundation in 2014 and received 501(c)(3) public charity status in 2015.   

We practice organic farming, share our harvest with those who lack access, deliver unique farm-based education, and foster inclusive spaces for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together to celebrate Jewish life and catalyze a healthier, more vibrant community and a more sustainable future for the region.   

Each year, we grow around 80,000 pounds of food and donate more than 75% of our harvest to San Diegans facing food insecurity. Our priority populations include low-income seniors and families, Holocaust survivors, active-duty military and veteran families, Latinx families, and Indigenous/Native families. Additionally, Coastal Roots Farm’s on-site pay-what-you-can Farm Stand reaches thousands of community members each year. 

We offer hands-on education and experiences through School and Group Visits, Farm Camp, Farm Tours, Volunteer Opportunities, Jewish Agricultural Festivals, and other community events, inviting our neighbors to connect to the land, Jewish tradition, and each other.  

Coastal Roots Farm Internship Program 

Coastal Roots Farm interns support the Farm’s mission through mutually beneficial volunteer work. Coastal Roots Farm's Internship Program works with diverse individuals to increase land-based knowledge, community connection, environmental stewardship, education for all ages, skills to promote food and social equity within the San Diego community, and more. Interns will work directly with farm staff and receive mentoring and supervision, technical training, and Jewish and environmental education as relevant. 

Interns are eligible for a Coastal Roots Farm certificate upon completion of 36 hours of service. Interns may also complete credits through Coastal Roots Farm pending approval from associated schools and universities. 

Farm Production Intern Position Overview 

The Farm Production Interns work closely with the Production Department to support maintenance of the vegetable fields, irrigation, food forest, chicken flocks, composting area, propagation house, harvest, and post-harvest operations as needed. There may also be opportunities to support community events. Throughout the internship, they will build physical strength and endurance, increase their knowledge about organic and regeneratively grown produce, learn cultivation techniques, and support the local food system. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

The essential functions may include: 

Production Department: 

• Learn about and support various vegetable production tasks such as transplanting, weeding, harvesting, insect scouting, field and irrigation maintenance, field preparation, trellising, mulching, fertilizing, composting, propagation house tasks, etc.  
• Support post-harvest washing and packing as needed. 
• Support staff during farmstand hours, community programs, and events. 

Desired Qualifications and Experience 

• Interest in organic, regenerative, and/or sustainable farming practices. 
• Passion surrounding community farming, food justice, and food systems development. 
• Have the physical ability to bend, squat, kneel or stand for extended periods of time in a range of climate conditions. 
• Friendly, hardworking, and punctual disposition. 
• Ability to safely work with sharp hand tools. 
• Eager to learn, flexible with assignments, and willing to jump into unfamiliar tasks. 
• Interest in working with the public to share the importance of local and sustainable agriculture. 
• Ability to work well in a group setting or independently, set priorities, and see projects through to completion. 
• Strong interpersonal and relationship development skills. 
• Good written and verbal communication skills. 
• Comfortable using a computer. 
• Pursuing a certificate or degree in related field is a plus but not required (i.e. environmental education, agriculture, food justice, ecological stewardship, outdoor education, ethnobotany, environmental science, etc.). 

Typical Working Conditions 

Farm Production Interns will primarily be working outdoors and around our post-harvest station. There will be exposure to Southern California outside temperatures, chemicals used in the agricultural industry, and loud noises. 

Essential Physical Tasks 

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Continuous walking, standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, reaching, lifting, and pushing/pulling up to 50 lbs., cutting, and carrying. Able to walk a minimum of 0.5 miles on uneven, narrow trails with elevation gain. 

Coastal Roots Farm is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building an inclusive workforce. We welcome and strongly encourage people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. All qualified candidates, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information will be considered for this position.