Vegetable Farm Intern

Overview

This family-run 100-acre vegetable farm, established in 1991, cultivates cherry tomatoes, Japanese cucumbers, eggplants, okra, leafy greens, root vegetables, and herbs. Recognized by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture's Hawaii Seal of Quality Program as a premium producer, the farm emphasizes pesticide-free quality produce distributed locally to supermarkets, restaurants, and farmers markets.

Responsibilities

• Manage inventory and operate farming machinery.
• Perform planting, fertilization, harvesting, and composting activities.
• Identify weeds and pest insects present on the farm.
• Collect and maintain detailed farm data records.
• Engage in pickling and canning processes.
• Rotate through multiple departmental roles to gain comprehensive experience.
• Pack and preserve farm products effectively for transport and storage.
• Execute business-related tasks including marketing, budgeting, sales, delivery coordination, market analysis, understanding customer demographics, and communication.
• Assess ripeness and maturity stages of fruits and vegetables.
• Recognize different produce varieties and understand their attributes.
• Learn about crop growth and harvest cycles specific to the farm's geographic location.
• Apply best practices for handling and packing produce for optimal freshness during transport and sale.
• Implement pest management strategies.

Compensation and Schedule

The position offers $12 per hour, with a full-time workload of 40 to 60 hours weekly. The work location is in Kahuku, Hawaii, and the program runs for up to 12 months commencing September 2023.

Accommodation & Additional Terms

Shared housing accommodations are provided for a maintenance fee of $125 monthly. A refundable deposit of $500 is required upon move-in, refunded after program completion if no damages or cleaning are necessary. The program also charges a fee of £550, with possible reimbursement at the end of the program by the host.