INTERN (Parslow Lacy Garden and Food Pantry Intern)

Status and Internship Schedule: 

Part-time non-exempt/up to 20 hours per week mid-May through late August (flexible). Flexible schedule, with firm commitment for regular Monday and Thursday work sessions.

How to Apply: 

If you are interested in being part of a team in the overall operation of the Food Pantry Gardens; Please apply with a cover letter and resume by March 09, 2026. 

INTERNSHIP SUMMARY: 

Exciting Internship Opportunity in Agriculture and Food-Share! Are you a passionate college student or graduate student eager to make a difference in your community? Do you dream of getting your hands dirty and making a tangible impact on local food production and distribution? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you!

This is a valuable agricultural and food-share learning opportunity that offers an intern the chance to join an organization producing and sharing high-quality, nutritious, culturally relevant produce for neighbors in need in Dane County, WI.  The Intern will gain hands-on skills in vegetable and vine crop production, small-scale farming techniques, soil health, and volunteer/youth coordination at the Lacy Garden, 5897 Whalen Road, Fitchburg, WI. Food pantry operations experience will also be gained at the Middlecamp Center for Vincentian Charity, 2033 Fish Hatchery Rd., Madison, WI. The ability to speak conversational Spanish is helpful in this role, but not required. The intern could expect to improve their language skills while working in this position. Additional skill demonstration, development, and networking will also be involved in special work sessions for corporate/youth groups.

This internship isn't just about gaining skills - it's about making a real difference in people's lives while learning and growing in a supportive and collaborative environment. If you're ready to roll up your sleeves, dig in, and be part of something truly impactful, we want to hear from you!

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Gain practical experience and knowledge of establishing/maintaining vegetable and vine-plots.
• Apply skills in site preparation, seeding, transplanting, weeding, watering, mulching, and trellising
• Provide harvesting and post-harvest handling, and implement crop rotation/soil conservation practices
• Assist in the installation and use of solar-powered irrigation equipment. 
• Apply multiple weed control/suppression techniques (including tarp/trellising systems, traditional tractor cultivation, traditional hand cultivating tools, and use of rotational burlap/coffee bean bag weed suppression techniques)
• Assist in a creative, welcoming, learning, and work environment for youth groups /volunteers
• Lead occasional youth groups in gardening activities and farm-related learning activities
• Participate in occasional evening and weekend work opportunities
• Participate in creating and prioritizing a weekly task list
• Assist in the transport of vegetables to the food pantry, and assist in established food share/pantry protocols for handling/processing/distribution of vegetables
• Assist Service Center staff with pantry operations, donation distribution, and other duties as assigned, 2-3 shifts each week
• Work with garden leaders in selecting/developing a special “keystone” project according to your growth needs and garden or pantry needs
• Support the effort to create a more inclusive and equitable organization 
• Adhere to the Safeguarding Policy by ensuring timely completion of mandatory training, staying updated on relevant training modules, and undergoing the necessary background checks to maintain compliance

QUALIFICATIONS & KEYS TO SUCCESS:

• Education and/or experience in agriculture, plant science/pathology, entomology, soil science, or horticulture-related fields
• Experience working with volunteers and familiarity with social media and Microsoft applications are highly desired
• Tractor and equipment training provided, but familiarity with their operation is preferred
• Display a willingness to communicate and interact effectively with individuals from diverse cultures, varying abilities, ethnicities, and races
• Demonstrate the implementation of best practices as required by the SVdP Safeguarding policy when interacting with children and vulnerable adults
• For the safety of the clients SVdP serves, and as per the Safeguarding Policy, this position requires the successful completion of a criminal background check

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The Intern must be a current or continuing post-secondary student.
• The Intern must be reliable and capable of occasionally working in inclement conditions.
• The Intern must supply their own means of reliable transportation.
• The Intern must be legally eligible to work in the United States (sponsorship is not associated with this role).

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

The mental and physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this internship: 

• The intern is frequently required to stand, walk, talk, and hear, and use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls
• The intern must regularly lift and/or move up to 20 pounds without assistance, and occasionally lift/move up to 50 pounds with assistance
• The intern must be able to follow instructions and work autonomously on assigned job duties
• The intern must have a valid driver’s license 
• This position regularly works outdoors in all types of weather conditions 
• The intern will have to drive to two different work locations 
• Specific vision abilities required by this internship include close vision and the ability to adjust focus

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:

The District Council of Madison, Inc., Society of St. Vincent de Paul does not and shall not discriminate in our employment, services and volunteerism on the basis of age, race, color, disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, arrest record, conviction record, military service, or use or nonuse of lawful products off the employer’s premises during nonworking hours, or any characteristic protected by applicable local, state and federal law. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, and vendors. Although the District Council of Madison, Inc., Society of St. Vincent de Paul does not generally consider religion in either hiring or the services it provides, because we are a Catholic charity, requiring liaison with the Catholic Church and its members, certain positions involving such liaisons are reserved for members of the Catholic Church. The District Council of Madison, Inc., Society of St. Vincent de Paul reserves the right to consider whether the conduct reflected in a criminal conviction demonstrates an incompatibility with the responsibilities of the specific job for which an applicant is applying.

EQUITY:

St. Vincent de Paul has a vision for a deeply inclusive environment for our membership, staff, and volunteers. To foster a culture of belonging while providing equitable service delivery above and beyond Equal Opportunity requirements, SVdP candidates must be committed to cultural competency growth and work within diverse teams. SVdP is an Equal Opportunity Employer.