Background: The mission of the IRC is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster, including the climate crisis, to survive, recover and gain control over their future. New Roots is the food and agriculture program of the International Rescue Committee in Charlottesville, and offers refugee and immigrant-centered initiatives spanning community gardening, small farm business development, and other community-building activities. New Roots Charlottesville is a multicultural community growing food together to build health, connection, and power.

Scope of Work: As New Roots Program Support Intern, you will support the New Roots community of refugee and immigrant urban farmers in diverse ways throughout the 2024-25 academic year. You will begin your internship by getting to know New Roots gardeners as you coordinate IRC’s annual interview-based participant surveys and assist with workdays and events on the farm. As you get to know the New Roots community, you will be invited to contribute your own skillsets and interests to a new project of your own design, or to support the New Roots staff team with emerging initiatives.

Students of agriculture, development, anthropology, communications, architecture, engineering, language, art, and more are encouraged to consider this position. Past interns have specialized in community engagement, marketing, communications, social media, and farm systems. We encourage you to consider where your passion and experience intersects with our multi-cultural urban agriculture and food justice programs.

Responsibilities:

•Serve as an enumerator for New Roots participant surveys and food security assessments

•Attend regular garden workdays in the field

•Design self-directed project(s) to benefit the New Roots community of refugee and immigrant farmers and gardeners

•Support the New Roots community through various opportunities such as garden site events, designs, and policies

•Assist New Roots gardeners with the annual garden application process

•Communicate with New Roots gardeners and community volunteers through various in-person and digital platforms

•Assist with administrative tasks as needed

•Record hours and submit a timesheet