What are the responsibilities and job description for the New Roots Production and Marketing Intern (Summer 2025) position at rescue?
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 initiatives spanning community gardening, small farm business development, and other community-building activities. New Roots Charlottesville fosters community growing food together to build health, connection, and power.
Scope of Work: As the New Roots Production and Marketing Intern, you will support the New Roots community of refugee and immigrant urban farmers in dynamic ways during the 2025 summer season including: outdoor work in the gardens and at the farmers markets, remote or office-based projects related to the development and use of digital marketing tools, and record keeping systems for small farm businesses.
Responsibilities:
Assist the New Roots Coordinator in carrying out the activities that support growers in starting and running their small farm businesses including: selling at the farmers’ markets; marketing to chefs, restaurants, and wholesale buyers; and, coordinating deliveries to food pantries and other organizations distributing food to community members facing food insecurity.
Responsibilities will be tailored to candidate’s interest and skillset and may include the following:
· Assist the New Roots Coordinator with weekly crop production tasks at 2 farm sites in Ivy (1.5 acres combined)
· Attend weekly volunteer garden workdays at Homewood Training Farm in Ivy
· Assist with harvest and post-harvest wash and pack process
· Coordinate New Roots grower sales at local farmers markets (IX Art Park Saturday mornings and Pen Park Wednesday evenings)
· Assist growers in booth set-up and take down, effective displays, labeling and pricing, communicating with customers
· Assist growers to set up and use digital payment methods (Square)
· Maintain market supplies
· Work with growers to develop recipes for marketing their specialty vegetables
· Assist with the development of weekly availability lists to be shared with chefs and other buyers
· Coordinate deliveries to food distribution events
· Assist growers with preparing invoices
· Assist in the development of instructional posters for proper use of the wash station
· Assist with administrative tasks as needed
· Record service hours and submit a timesheet by the end of each month at the latest
