Internships at TALMAR
An internship is any carefully monitored meaningful learning employment experience in which an individual has intentional professional goals and reflects actively on what he or she is accomplishing throughout the experience.
TALMAR is uniquely positioned to offer internships to adults who are seeking either a career in agriculture or a career in nature-based therapies.
Breaking New Ground/ VA FARMS
TALMAR has been providing horticultural therapy programs in Baltimore County since 2005. TALMAR launched its Breaking New Ground program for veterans seeking vocational training in a therapeutic environment in 2016. Since 2019, TALMAR has worked with the VA Maryland Health Care System to implement the VA FARMS program, which is an initiative of the Office of Rural Health. TALMAR’s VA FARM program provided a robust vocational training program to 31 veterans in 2019 and 17 in 2020.
TALMAR’s VA FARMS 2020 report included a “Plan for Program Growth”, wherein internship opportunities for veterans who would benefit from another season of work at TALMAR may be made available. Interns will focus on field work, including estimating harvest yields and troubleshooting issues with pests, soil, and irrigation. They will also be responsible for guiding small groups of veterans through daily chores and field work. Interns WILL NOT attend the classroom portion of the VA FARMS program and will be supervised by the TALMAR staff member other than the VA FARMS instructor.
Requirements:
- previous participant in TALMAR’s Breaking New Ground or VA FARMS program. Preference for graduates of the program,
- Comfortable working and assisting individuals of diverse backgrounds,
- Able to complete or supervise manual labor independently (planting, weeding, mulching, harvesting),
- Responsible use of tools, equipment and facilities with a priority in safety,
- Able to work outdoors in extreme hot or cold for extended periods of time,
- Small engine maintenance/ repair a plus,
- Ability to lift 50 lbs.
Interns will:
- meet weekly with the Executive Director or Farm Manager to discuss progress/ impediments
- self-evaluate progress every three or four weeks for a total of 4 evals in 15 weeks
- work two or three days a week for five hours for the duration of a VA FARMS session. (Two days per week for 15 weeks or three days per week for 10 weeks). Total hours is 154 hours, which includes 4 hours of safety training.
Compensation: minimum wage. Interns are not eligible for health or retirement benefits. Interns do not earn sick or vacation time.
Interested and qualified veterans should apply to TALMAR’s Executive Director via email at talmar@talmar.org. Subject line: VAFARM Internship.
Respectful of COVID precautions, the selection process will be:
- submission of cover letter and resume to talmar@talmar.org
- confirmation of qualification and recommendations from VA MHCS via phone call
- zoom or google meet interview with TALMAR (and VA Champion if requested)
- selected interns will be notified via phone call with follow-up email confirming start dates. Candidates who are not offered internships will be notified via email.