Student Internships

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Morven Kitchen Garden Interns are involved in all aspects of food production from crop planning, seeding and planting in both the greenhouse and field, to marketing, harvesting, and selling of crops.

Morven Kitchen Garden: hiring soon!

MKG is gearing up for the fall and will be posting our Fall farm crew internships soon. Full time students can apply for our opportunities on Workday and Handshake. Check this webpage periodically for updates.

STUDENT INTERNSHIP FAQ

  • All student internship postings will be on Handshake or Workday. Sign up for our newsletter as to not miss any listings!

    For Fall Semester: 13 weeks from August to December (excluding major holidays). Interns are expected to work 6-10 hours a week.

    Applications open June/July.

    For Spring Semester: 13 weeks from January to April. Interns are expected to work 6-10 hours a week.

    Applications open October/November.

    For Summer Session: 12 weeks from May to August. Interns are expected to work 20-25 hours a week, as school is not in session.

    Applications open March/April.

  • Yes! We hire part-time paid student employees several times per year. We call these positions internships, as the focus is not just on completing daily tasks but also on education. Alongside compensation, interns are entitled to a portion of the farm’s fresh produce!

    • Current student at UVA enrolled in at least 12 credit hours during the Academic year. (Summer course enrollment for summer positions is not required.)

    • Reliable transportation to and from the garden (Crew members are encouraged to carpool)

    • Good physical fitness: ability to bend, kneel, and stand for several hours. You should be able to safely lift 50 pounds.

    • The ability to work outside under various weather conditions including heat, humidity, cold, and rain. 

    • Attention to detail, good listening, and communication skills.

    • The ability to work both as part of a team and independently.

  • Interns assist with all aspects of farm operations! Main tasks include weeding, planting, and watering. However, interns also frequently help with the garden’s beehives, volunteer coordination, wholesale to UVA Dine, and facilitate Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) distribution.

FARM CREW 

ABOUT

  • In these paid positions, farm crew members will gain hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture: crop selection and season planning, vegetable cultivation for soil health, natural resource management, tools and techniques of small-scale agriculture, as well as leading educational and service events. Farm crew members will learn about topics in regenerative agriculture such as seed-saving for preserving cultural heritage, food sovereignty, reduced tillage for maximizing soil ecology and nutrient cycling, integrated pest management for reduced chemical reliance, and more. This role is grounded in the three overarching goals of the Morven Sustainability Lab (MSL) Strategic Action Plan: EXPLORE (the future matters), EXPERIENCE (today matters), and CO-CURATE (the past matters). UVA students from all disciplinary backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

  • Ideal Candidates will have:

    • An interest in farming and/or gardening. 

    • Passion for sustainability and/or natural resource management 

    • Attention to detail, good listening, and communication skills. 

    • The ability to work both as part of a team and independently. 

    • Ability to safely lift 50 pounds. 

    • The ability to work outside under various weather conditions including heat, cold, and rain. 

  • Weekly Hours: 10-15 hours per week during the UVA academic year, 20-30 hours per week during UVA’s Summer vacation; must work a consistent weekly schedule within the Monday-Friday 8am-5pm timeframe.  Occasional weekend or evening shifts may be required.  

    Compensation: $15 per hour; includes a portion of the farm’s fresh produce.  

FARM COORDINATOR

  • In this paid position, the coordinator will gain hands-on experience in farm management: crop selection and season planning, soil health, resource management, budgeting, events and business administration. The coordinator will help the Morven Kitchen Garden Manager in all aspects of farm management, including scheduling shifts for the farm crew of part-time interns, and supervising farm crew shifts and volunteer events to ensure work tasks are being completed. This role is grounded in the three overarching goals of the Morven Sustainability Lab (MSL) Strategic Action Plan: EXPLORE (the future matters), EXPERIENCE (today matters), and CO-CURATE (the past matters). UVA students from all disciplinary backgrounds are encouraged to apply. 

  • Ideal Candidates will have: 

    • Prior experience in farming and/or gardening.  

    • Prior experience in sustainability and/or natural resource management 

    • Experience leading or managing others in a professional setting. 

    • Ability to motivate others to accomplish a shared goal. 

    • Passion for educating others about sustainable agriculture. 

    • Attention to detail, good listening, and communication skills. 

    • The ability to work both as part of a team and independently. 

    • Ability to safely lift 50 pounds. 

  • Weekly Hours: 10-15 hours per week during the UVA academic year, 20-30 hours per week during UVA’s Summer vacation; must work a consistent weekly schedule within the Monday-Friday 8am-5pm timeframe.  Occasional weekend or evening shifts may be required.  

    Compensation: $18-20 per hour depending on experience; includes a portion of the farm’s fresh produce.  

We would like to thank our past and present student interns for all the work they’ve done to keep our garden growing!

 

2025-2026 Student Interns

Elizabeth Montoya-LaPorte, Fall ‘25 & Spring ‘26

AJ Farkas, Summer ‘24, Summer &Fall ‘25

Sophie Disney, Fall ‘25 & Spring ‘26

Emma Steiner, Summer & Fall ‘25, Spring ‘26

Sophia Arnest, Summer & Fall ‘25, Spring ‘26

Sophie May, Fall ‘25 & Spring ‘26

2024-2025 Student Interns

Elizabeth Montoya-LaPorte, Summer & Fall ‘24, Spring ‘25

AJ Farkas, Summer ‘24, Summer &Fall ‘25

Emma Swofford, Summer & Fall ‘24

Pierce Harding, Fall ‘24

Ryan Faddis, Summer ‘25

2023-2024 Student Interns

Elizabeth Montoya-LaPorte, Spring ‘24

Kyle Hagerstrom, Summer ‘24

Rose Houlahan, Summer ‘24

Lou Bubrig, Fall ‘23

The Spring 2023 farm crew in front of Thomas Jefferson’s home at Monticello. Interns get to attend at least one educational trip each term.

2022-2023 Student Interns

Owen Himmel, Spring ‘23

Jayna Mallon, Spring & Fall ‘22, Spring ‘23

Louis Bubrig, 2023

Kathleen McNerney, Spring ‘23

John Leo Luecke, Summer ‘22 & Spring ‘23

2022 Student Interns

Gracie Harris, Spring and Fall ‘22

Brookelyn Mitchell, Fall ‘22

Maille Bowerman, Fall ‘22

Luke Schutte, Summer ‘22

Austin McNichols, Summer ‘22

Dylan Lougheed, Summer ‘22

Morgan Butler, Spring and Summer ‘22