Goodness Grows 2011 Summer Internship Openings

Purpose of the Internship: To provide college students with a hands-on experience of local food system issues and urban development work at a church-based agricultural non-profit. Potential focus areas: sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, hunger and poverty, community outreach, and organizational development. Motivated interns will help create a sustainable local food community, cultivate fresh produce and skills to thrive in the future.

Essential Responsibilities

Personal Development: Meet weekly with the internship team for equipping, encouragement, and prayer. Regular formal and informal reflection on faith, food and choice connections. Regular formal and informal reflection on academic pursuits, personal vocation and real world needs.
People Development: Develop community with the internship team and Goodness Grows and Common Ground Church staff and members. Connect with volunteers, special needs students and urban youth.
Program Responsibilities: Provide leadership and creative ideas with this emerging non-profit. Support vegetable production for Community Supported Agriculture program. Help coordinate volunteers and develop site into a working demonstration farm. Lead agricultural-based education and outreach programs.

Course ~ Local Food Ecology ~ Workshops

The 8 week course is a project-based training that equips people to produce and sell food sustainably. Teaching workshops begin February 8th with hands-on learning continuing every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday through March 31st. In addition to workshops and guest lecturers, two days a week will include projects and on the job training.

These workshops are offered in tandem with the Local Food Ecology Course.

"Ecological Fruit and Vegetable Farming"
Feb. 8th 2:30-4:30, Common Ground Church
Dr. Joseph Kovach, Entomology Professor from OSU/OARDC Wooster, presents plot design for urban and rural farms and integrated pest management results. A $15 contribution is requested at the event.

"Propagation and Transplanting"

Feb. 9^th 9-11:30am, Fellows Riverside Gardens, Davis Visitors Center

Ellen Speicher, Assistant Horticulture Director at Mill Creek MetroParks, will teach this hands-on transplanting workshop. Reservation to meagan@goodnessgrows.net required by February 5^th. Class limited to 12 participants.

"Botany"
Feb 16^th 9-11:30am, Fellows Riverside Gardens, Davis Visitors Center

Keith Kaiser, Horticulture Director at Mill Creek MetroParks, will teach botany and plant basics. This workshop will cover basic botanical terms, plant structure, leaf and fruit types, flower structure and photosynthesis. Reservation required by February 12 to meagan@goodnessgrows.net. Class limited to 12 participants.

"Thinking like a Market Gardener"

Feb. 17th 10am-noon, Common Ground Church  Dr. Matthew Kleinhenz, Horticulture and Crop Science Professor from OSU/OARDC Wooster, will cover “The Production – Marketing Continuum” and discuss season extension opportunities with growers. A $15 contribution is requested at the event.

"Successful Direct Marketing"
Feb. 22nd 9am-3pm, Common Ground Church
Mr. Mick Prochko, Covered Bridge Garden, Ashtabula County
Mrs. Janine Welsby, Hickory Hollow, Columbiana County
Mick will highlight strategies to improve restaurant sales, product diversity, farmers markets, and transportation. Janine will discuss organic practices, crop maintenance, and her buying club.
Lunch available by reservation. A $25 contribution is requested at the event.

"Natives and Invasives"
Feb. 23^rd 9-11:30am, Fellows Riverside Gardens, Davis Visitors Center Ellen Speicher, Assistant Horticulture Director at Mill Creek MetroParks, will cover native and invasive plants. Reservation required by February 19 to meagan@goodnessgrows.net. Class limited to 12 participants.
Local Food Ecology Course starts Feb. 8th, 2010 at:
Common Ground Church, 2310 W. South Range Rd, North Lima, OH 44452
Focus tracks offer students specialization and mentorships in four fields:
-Animal Husbandry and Beekeeping
-Food Processing and Preparation
-Fruit and Vegetable Production
-Horticulture and LandscapingTopics to be covered:
Good Agricultural Practices (GAPS), pest management and disease prevention, organic standards
Science: Botany, Propagation, Permaculture, Ecology, soil science and vermicomposting
Marketing strategies: value-added products, farmer’s markets and restaurant sales, season extension
Business: record keeping, regulations, local opportunities and grants, growers associations

The $750 course is now offered in 2010 for $500!
Scholarship opportunities are available to participants.

Projects, workshops, and curriculum facilitated by Maurice Small and Meagan Zeune.
For more information or registration call 330-549-9408 330-549-9408 or email meagan@goodnessgrows.net