Farm Education Intern

Join the Place Based Learning Center at Hawthorne Valley Farmas a Farm Education Intern! Experience our diversified Biodynamic® dairy farm, while guiding children through hands‑on,farm‑based activities.

The Place Based Learning Center has been providing on‑farm learning experiences for children and teens since 1972. Our biodynamic farm, school and related initiatives all sit on a beautiful 900‑acre campus; our mission includes the integration of education, agriculture and the arts, and our work with students is informed by a deep reverence for our environment, an awareness of the interdependence of our community, and a knowledge of the pedagogy of Waldorf education.

We are located in Upstate New York in the beautiful Hudson Valley, 2 ½ hours from Manhattan. The Place‑Based Learning Center offers year‑round children’s programming. During the school year, our Visiting Students Program hosts weeklong residential educational farm experiences for school classes (grades 3‑10). In the summer, we welcome campers ages 8‑16 to our overnight and day camps.

We are seeking interns for the Spring semester of the Visiting Students Program at the Place‑Based Learning Center. The Visiting Students program takes students beyond the classroom to experience the rhythms of nature and farm life.

This internship is a meaningful way to gain knowledge and insight about Waldorf education, Biodynamic regenerative agriculture,and experiential education.

The majority of our visitors are school classes (3rdgrade and older) who arrive with their teachers and chaperones on a Monday and stay until Friday. The classes sleep in our sprawling 200‑+‑year‑old farmhouse, participate in lessons and activities related to the farm, food production, and nature‑based crafts, and enjoy delicious and nutritious, organic farm‑to‑table meals. Interns are trained on how to lead activities with the students, such as baking bread, doing farm chores, gardening, hiking, nature crafts, and more.

The dates of the Spring Internship are Monday, January 11th, 2027 - Friday, June 4th, 2027.

These dates include two weeks of paid orientation and training.

• Lead activities related to the farm, food production, and nature‑based crafts on a daily basis with groups of 7‑9 children.

• Share meals with students and teachers in our Dining Hall while classes are visiting the farm.

• Provide a nurturing and responsive environment to students, teachers, guests,and other staff members.

• Help cook and clean as a part of daily program function.

• Share daily and weekend animal care and periodic weekend programming.

• Interns must be committed to fostering an inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment for both students and fellow staff members.

• Experience working with children in an outdoor setting and leading hands‑on activities.

• A good work ethic with an ability to be flexible, and work as a team member.

• Ability to work in a kitchen setting independently and with children.

• Strong communication and organizational skills.

• Ability to live on campus in shared living quarters.

• The ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.

• Practical knowledge of farming, animal care, gardening, and interest in Waldorf education is a plus.

• Enthusiastic attitude when working with children.

• Age of 21 or older.

Compensation for the internship includes room and board (organic, farm‑to‑table meals) and a $1,200 per month stipend. Interns will have a modest private bedroom in a shared farmhouse with fellow interns. Please note that our housing cannot accommodate partners, children, or pets.

Compensation also includes educational enrichment opportunities for interns, relating to art, agriculture, and education. Some examples of past enrichment activities include…