The KRFS internship is a dynamic and multifaceted experience for 20 hours per week paid at $15/hr for motivated young adult learners. The internship has a rotational quality whereby interns split their time across different aspects of the work involved in Growing, Hosting, and Creating. KRFS interns are: kind, attentive, scheduled, diligent, and open-minded.

KRFS culture, team building: KRFS has a strong and meaningful culture among interns and staff in order to survive and thrive. How we care for space, equipment, and people, communicate with each other and guests, approach our work and learning, and cultivate our attitudes and mindsets are among the vital components of culture and team building. Contributing to a positive organizational culture is an essential life and work skill that interns practice at KRFS and prepare to carry forward.

Horticulture and farming of vegetables, herbs, mushrooms, and flowers: We grow a wide variety plants and mushrooms for use in the cafe and for sale throughout the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Interns help with all aspects of this program mainstay and learn about Growing while further developing their relationship to plants, food systems, weather conditions, manual labor and associated mindset. We start the greenhouse in February to get a jump on the growing season. In late March we prep and begin planting the gardens at the Old Rock Barn and grow through November.

Making and serving food for others: KRFS is committed to serving good, healthy food to the community from our commercial kitchen using as much organic produce from our own gardens as we can. Interns play a pivotal role in planning, caring for, and preparing the food served in the cafe, for events, and KRFS group meals. Interns train in the commercial kitchen, all become ServSafe certified, and many go on to get their Food Manager Certification. We hope that all KRFS interns leave the program with greatly enhanced food and cooking experience to carry with them.

Care of spaces enjoyed by others: A lot of work goes into creating the spaces that interns, staff, and visitors enjoy at the Old Rock Barn. We care for our outdoor and indoor spaces and the work involves landscaping, grounds maintenance, natural and artistic features, cleaning and organizing. This behind the scenes work to care for and Create the physical space is crucial for the effect of our Hosting.

Cafe, events, workshops, gifts: This is where our Hosting interfaces with Community for our goal of being a welcoming space for human interaction and celebration. Interns work all positions to represent and facilitate KRFS values of nourishment, gathering, education, and thoughtfulness.

Entrepreneurship (KRFS and/or personal): We are always looking for ways to develop enterprise for the benefit of KRFS financial sustainability. Interns are encouraged to help grow new potential branches of the collective enterprise. This could take the form of new products from the commercial kitchen, new gifts for the shop, new menu items for the cafe, new classes, programs, and events for community members, etc. Also, we encourage interns to develop ideas, skills, and/or prototypes for their own personal entrepreneurial ideas and assess ways our existing infrastructure could help support them.

Educational/Deep Dive Project: We ask each intern to pick a topic/technique they would like to learn more about and dedicate time to a “deep dive” into it. They meet with Program Director for incremental updates and feedback and then give a presentation to the group to share what they have learned. These projects vary depending on internship length and we expect at least 4 hrs a week (2 work hrs/2 personal hrs).

Character development: Working, learning, being part of a team, and trying new things are sure to raise moral and ethical questions, pose challenges that may support or oppose beliefs and values, and reveal surprising aspects of one’s own and others’ behavior. As part of Growing, interns are asked to be reflective and communicative about character expression and development.

KRFS as part of Winchester community: The Old Rock Barn property has a long, familial history of being a rural community hub in Winchester and KRFS is committed to continuing this legacy. We spend time creating ways for KRFS to participate in the Winchester community. Interns have a large role in imagining, preparing, and carrying out community engagement.

Artistic experiences and pieces: Learning, practicing, and creating art is strongly encouraged and supported for KRFS interns. We provide space, materials, equipment, and time for interns to Create. Examples include: music, ceramics, visual arts, leather work, sewing, and writing. Interns artistic interest can be blended into their Deep Dive Project.

Social and environmental awareness: We spend time creating ways to learn and share about important social and environmental issues facing our community and society.

Flower arranging: KRFS is an up-and-coming flower farm and want to share the them with visitors on tables as well as for purchase. Interns learn about flowers and arranging to help keep tables blooming and the flower cooler stocked. We hope all interns Grow an appreciation of flowers for their lifetime during their internship.

Individual plan for next step: The KRFS internship is a stepping stone to what comes next. The internship program is primarily focused on exposure and cultivating lifelong “soft skills” and appreciations that come from experience. We recognize that interns have very significant, practical decisions to make about their next steps in life and the skills they want/need to formulate and achieve goals. We are eager to support them in thinking through these possibilities and creating a personalized plan.