Student Opportunities
A Place to Visit
Want to get your hands dirty for a few hours? We are open to drop-in field volunteers the following times, weather permitting:
- April-May and Sept-Oct, Wed and Fri 2-5 pm
- June–Sept: Tues and Thurs 7–10am, Sat. 6:30am–1pm
- October-early November: Tuesday and Thursday 8-11 am, Sat 10am-1pm
- Meditation (herb) garden tending: April through October, Wednesday 4-6 pm
- Seed garden tending: Time TBA
- Other times: by appointment
Interested in setting up a farm visit for your group or class that includes a thematic tour and/or hands-on work project? Contact us.
Vassar Field Work
Come experience our outdoor classroom! Vassar's Field Work Office gives Vassar students an opportunity to get academic credit for working and learning at a variety of organizations and agencies in the area and we participate in that program. Students spend 40 hours on the farm over the course of a semester learning about farming and CSA by working with our farmers in the field and engaging in discussions. Students work with a faculty advisor on a paper or project to reflect what they learn on the farm. Some tasks that field work students may participate in in the spring include starting seedlings in the greenhouse, weeding and pruning overwintered perennials, getting our tools and supplies in shape for the season, and transplanting seedlings into the fields. Fall tasks include harvesting, plant care, and field clean-up. We are also happy to discuss possibilities of tailoring the field work more specifically to a student's interests.
Internships
The Poughkeepsie Farm Project hosts both full season and summer internships on the farm for individuals interested in learning about farming, CSA, and farm education. The interns work with staff in supporting farm programs, including growing food, facilitating learning, distributing food and participating in special projects. Farm activities include greenhouse work, planting, cultivation, harvest, washing, weeding, and farm maintenance. Intern-led farm education activities include learning and implementing a curriculum for youth education sessions, working with youth and volunteers in the field, and assisting youth at farmers market. Interns commit to approximately 45 hours per week: 40 hours "in the field" and 5 hours participating in intern education activities. Educational opportunities for interns include on-farm training, access to our farm-related written resources, and on-farm education sessions, and field trips.
CSA Shares
We reserve fall CSA shares for students who would like to be part of the farm and pick up vegetables weekly when they return to school in September. Full season shares are also available for students who plan to spend the summer in the area.
