Internship Program

The internship program at Johnson's Backyard Garden is designed to provide practical, hands-on experience to individuals seeking to make farming a full-time career. Our internship is very demanding - interns work long hours for low pay - but the rewards are invaluable to those wishing to become farmers. Johnson's Backyard Garden is the largest operating CSA and certified organic farm in Texas, and our interns are exposed to all aspects of this business. Consequently, our interns gain the knowledge and experience necessary to farm.

Our Farm and Location
Our certified organic vegetable farm is located on 20 acres of prime river bottom alluvial soil. We are just 5 miles east from downtown Austin, TX. The Colorado River is a short walk through the woods and is great for cooling off in the summer. We have successfully grown in just a few years from a 30-member CSA to a 650-member one. We grow over 60 different types of vegetables, flowers, and herbs and nearly 300 different varieties.

What to Expect as an Intern
An internship at Johnson's Backyard Gardens is a hands-on working and learning experience. It is intense and demanding, but ultimately rewarding. As an intern, you can expect to work long hours in the Texas heat, both in the fields and in the barn/packing/seeding and greenhouse areas. You will work hard physically every day. This will make you sore and tired but will also make you strong. You will experience times when you will question if you want to be a farmer; you will also have times when you can't envision doing anything else. In short, you will learn what it takes to be a vegetable grower and will leave with the knowledge of how to start and run your own farm.

Internship Program
At Johnson's Backyard Garden, we seek to expose our interns to all aspects of our business including fieldwork, tractor/equipment use and maintenance, greenhouse operations, packing shed operations, customer service operations, and sales and marketing. Interns will be assigned revolving areas of responsibility in an effort to build a broad foundation of knowledge.

Workweek Our workweek is challenging, 5½ days and up to 45 hours, but rewarding.

How to Apply
Anyone possessing a serious interest in agriculture and the physical ability to work the long hours of a farming schedule will be considered. To apply, please fill out our internship application and e-mail a current resume if you have one. All interested applicants are encouraged to set up a time to visit and work on the farm. All hiring decisions will be made on a first come, first serve basis. If you are interested, please contact us to arrange for a visit to the farm.

Time Commitment
We require a six-month commitment from our interns, from start date to finish.

Work/Experience Desired
We are looking for energetic, enthusiastic, motivated people who are dependable, eager to learn, and willing to become part of our farm team. Our program is not designed for those who just want to give farming or gardening a try, but rather those who are seriously considering farming as a career. Consequently, we are looking for people willing to work hard so they can enjoy the rewards of being a farmer.

Compensation
Interns live on the farm and are paid $7.25/hour. $565 is deducted from their pay each month for room and board. Once this is deducted, interns make an average of $800 a month, prior to tax deductions. Housing is provided along with Internet and laundry facilities. Fresh farm vegetables are provided as available, as well as a moderate amount of eggs.