An illustration of a woman caring with love to Soil and Soul Farm's garden full of produce.

Internship Program

What it is

 

Summary of Internship Program

The Institute of Soil and Soul (ISS) is proud to offer internships for students and beginning farmers seeking comprehensive training in regenerative farming, horticulture, and ecopsychology.  Our internship offers participants an experiential immersion in all the operations involved in running a small-scale regenerative farm (e.g., composting, planting, propagation, harvesting, animal husbandry orchard care, holistic management, and more) and a theoretical exploration of essential texts related to ecology, spirituality, and depth psychology.

Goals of Internship

The internship at ISS provides outlets for meaningful collaboration and skills-based training in regenerative farming.  The internship opportunities for teens, college students, and adults will be amble. Besides providing educational components of Jewish connections to regenerative farming, our internship will:

Most importantly, interns will experience what it means to engage in meaningful work in a supportive environment, and be given an opportunity to unplug from normal distractions, and discover and embrace an alternative vision in line with core values. Prior experience is not necessary. Internships are unpaid. 

Sample Schedule

Tasks will vary depending on the season.  In the spring months, as soon as the soil is workable, tasks involve bed and soil preparation, propagation/planting, harvesting, and daily animal management.  These tasks continue into the summer with the addition of orchard care/management.  In preparation for winter, soils are fed with cover crops and put to sleep.  [1]

8:00am:                         Arrive, distribute tasks

8:15am - 10:15am:          Work

10:30am - 1:00pm:         Resume work

1:00pm                         Lunch and depart.

Physical and Emotional Safety

Physical Safety:  Interns are never put into any situation that risk their physical harm.  During work hours interns work alongside and are under constant supervision from seasoned agriculturalists. Interns do not handle power tools or harvesting equipment but do use minimalist hand tools (shovels, spades, hoes, harvesting knives, broad forks, trowels, dibblers) following a tutorial. 

Self-Disclosure:  Assignments and class discussions, which offer the opportunity for self-disclosure, may generate anxiety.  There is no requirement that an intern disclose personal history and participation in the experience will not be affected by your decisions not to disclose. It is, however, important to note these disclosures may offer opportunities to expand how you understand human behavior and its role in addressing the climate crisis and revisioning our food and farming systems

How to apply

We ask that candidates interested in proceeding with the application process send a resume and cover letter detailing your background and interests, addressed to Gabriel directly at info@soilandsoulfarm.org. 

Please write honestly and from the heart, reflecting upon what Masanobu Fukuoka, the founder of Natural Farming once wrote:  "The ultimate goal of farming is not the cultivation of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings.”

*Prior experience with horticulture is not necessary. We look forward to meeting you!

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Our Past Interns

  • Spring/Summer 2023

    My time at Institute of Soil and Soul was uplifting, refreshing, and educational. It became a place I was consistently excited to return to. Our daily discussions (about society, the self, and of course, soil and soul) over coffee and tea were insightful and significant. We created a very special community, and experienced deep connection. I learned so much from the great conversations and Gabe’s mentorship. Both the agricultural and psychological aspects of what we covered together is easily applicable as I move forward in life—I am leaving the farm more centered and fulfilled than I was before.

    — Deborah Lehman, Trinity International University

  • Spring/Summer 2023

    Spending my summer as an intern at soil and soul was an incredible experience. Not only did I learn about regenerative farming, soil health, and eco-psychology, I also gained a deeper appreciation for my food, and the effort that goes into growing it. There is no feeling quite like the serenity of a quiet morning on the farm. The institute of soil and soul teaches farming, of course, but also connection to Earth and all of her inhabitants. If you have a chance, I would definitely recommend going to the farm.

    — Emily Hines, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Spring 2022

    My experience at the Institute of Soil and Soul was nothing less than exceptional. From the first day I arrived, I could feel a strong sense of peace and serenity on the land. It was a blessing to have my place of work be such a sanctuary for me! The work on the farm was quite enjoyable, too. I learned how to transplant and seed crops, inoculate mushroom beds, and general plant maintenance and other valuable tasks. Working with my hands was super therapeutic for me. Even a simple task such as pulling weeds could become a meditative experience. Overall, the work was fun, mindful, and a great way to connect with people. Gabe is a grounded, wise mentor whose attunement to life ignites the best in the people around him. The other interns were warm and welcoming too. It was a such a privilege to be able to work, learn, and converse alongside these amazing people. My experience at the Institute of Soil and Soul are treasures I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

    — Jason Whittaker, Northwestern University

  • Spring 2022

    I wanted to say to you how much I enjoyed spending time here. I really didn’t know what to expect going into it, but I am so so happy I stuck with it because the experience has been truly unforgettable! Gardening feels like a home and a sanctuary to me now. I really see myself coming back here for so many years to come. I can’t thank you enough for this amazing opportunity you granted me! I’ll be thinking of y’all when i’m back at school - I’ll miss it here!!

    — Erin Butler, Butler University

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