New Roots Intern
SCOPE OF INTERN WORK:
The New Roots program is an initiative to support nutrition, food security, gardening, enterprise, and production activities providing access to resettled refugees to be self-sufficient and lead healthy lives. The New Roots interns will be placed into a role that best fits them and be empowered to assist IRC staff in expanding the size and the scope of the farm and gardens, maintenance and management of the garden, farm pop-up stand coordination, and/or serve as a liaison between IRC growers and local community. In addition some interns will teach nutrition and food related classes which provide knowledge of healthy food choices from our very own gardens.
Data Tracking, Analysis and Evaluation Intern:
The New Roots program in Sacramento currently gathers data on a variety of topics, including farm stand sales, farmer and gardener demographics, participant survey responses, and nutrition assessments. The New Roots team would like to ensure that all data collected is used effectively to improve the program; to this end, New Roots seeks an intern or volunteer who is interested and skilled in data tracking, analysis and evaluation. This three-pronged approach consists of:
- Weekly or biweekly data collection and tracking of farm stand sales, farm crop harvests, garden program participation rates, nutrition survey responses, and any other regularly gathered data;
- Analysis of existing data, including abovementioned areas, participant demographics, and past program results, to give the New Roots team a clear-eyed vision of how the program is doing and how it can improve; and,
- Critical evaluation of our entire system of data collection, with conclusion about data gaps, superfluous data collection, areas of improvement in the methods and topics of data collection, etc.
The New Roots data specialist intern(s) would need a superior knowledge of the tools of Microsoft Excel. This intern would also need a thorough understanding of, as well as an interest in, the purposes and methodology of data collection and analysis. This position would report to the New Roots Market Specialist, Ram Khatiwoda; as well as Program Manager Eric Spring. This position is largely based out of the IRC office at 2020 Hurley Drive in Sacramento, with possible occasional travel to the Kuchenu Farm in West Sacramento.
Need to drive clients: no
Valid driver’s license required: no
Reliable transportation to IRC office: yes
Schedule: any work day, M-F 9a-5p
Outreach and Education Intern:
This role would assist the New Roots Outreach and Education Specialist with regular programming in the community, as well as efforts to increase New Roots’ reach in the community. This spring, New Roots will deliver regular educational programming at a variety of sites, including at the Creekside Adult Center in Arden-Arcade and at the Kuchenu community garden in West Sacramento. Educational programming will target both adults and children, and will be tailored to maximize cultural sensitivity among different communities. The program will also conduct outreach to recruit additional program participants, including at local mosques, schools, senior living apartments, etc. Finally, the New Roots outreach and education intern would assist with weekly Cultural Orientation programming, conducted with IRC clients and focusing on nutrition and healthy eating in the United States.
The New Roots outreach and education intern would need a passion for community outreach and education, including engaging with persons of diverse ages, ethnicities, literacy levels, and abilities. An understanding of the principles of gardening or nutrition is helpful, but not required. Ideally, this intern would enjoy working with groups and representing the New Roots program to the public. This position would report to the New Roots Outreach and Education Specialist, Laura Reynolds. This position is based at a variety of sites around the Sacramento region.
Need to drive clients: no
Valid driver’s license required: no
Reliable transportation to sites around Sacramento region: yes
Schedule: any work day, but Tuesday and/or Wednesday preferred for Cultural Orientation
Farm Maintenance Intern:
This role would assist the Farm Technician in a variety of on-farm maintenance and management activities. The New Roots program operates a five-acre urban farm in West Sacramento, on which 25-30 farm program participants grow crops for sale and for household consumption. The farm requires a high level of maintenance to ensure participants can be successful; the farm maintenance intern(s) would be a critical asset to the successful operation of the farm. Weekly activities might include:
- Managing the irrigation system on the farm, including scheduling, repair work, and installing new lines as needed
- Completing small building and repair projects, such as building a small storage shed, repairing a hoop house, etc.
- Mowing grass and weeds in unused fields and borders to keep farm in good working condition
- Maintaining walk-behind tractor and other farm machinery in good working condition; performing very basic repairs or diagnosing when larger repairs are needed
- Operating equipment such as power mowers, weed eaters, and edgers to cut grass, trim shrubbery, and edge walkways.
- Pulling weeds and maintaining border plant beds when applicable. Collecting any litter on the farm to keep it in good, presentable condition
- Performing basic maintenance on the young fruit-tree orchard (adding amendments, managing irrigation, mulching, protecting from frost, etc.)
- Working with volunteers and interns to complete any of the above projects, as coordinated with rest of New Roots team and Volunteer Coordinator
Preexisting knowledge around these activities is helpful, but not required for this internship. The farm maintenance intern would need to be able to lift up to 35lbs, work in all weather conditions, and perform physically demanding tasks in an outdoor setting. This position would report to the Farm Technician.
Need to drive clients: no
Valid driver’s license required: yes
Reliable transportation to Kuchenu Farm in West Sacramento: yes
Schedule: any work day, including Saturdays. Saturdays are preferred as farmer’s classes are on every other Saturday at the farm
IRC Internship positions:
- The person applying for these internships will be expected to keep a reliable weekly garden/farm and office visitation schedule.
- This is an unpaid internship.
- Work related driving is eligible for reimbursement at the IRS Charitable Rate.
- Internships are available for current college students starting in their second year, graduate students, and graduates less than 2 years post-graduation. Course credit is available if the student coordinates with their university and confirms the appropriate paperwork with the Volunteer Coordinator.
COMMITMENT:
Hours per week: 15-30 hours per week, during IRC's regular business hours of 9 am-5 pm, M - F
Duration: 4-6 months, or 240 hours
IRC is committed to working with student schedules. As such, we are flexible with accommodating time off for midterms and school holidays, and altering time availability with changing class schedules.