FARM OVERVIEW

Bodhi Farms began as a vision to create an experience that is sustainable, sophisticated and in harmony with its surroundings while focusing on working with natural systems to provide a location that inspires wellness and rejuvenation. This vertically integrated business model started coming to fruition the summer of 2019 after Rayner and Tanya Smith purchased 35 acres of a cattle and horse ranch on the southern end of Bozeman, Montana, with the goal of rejuvenating the soil and creating an organic permaculture farm. We broke ground in the summer of 2019, and are excited to be officially opening in summer of 2020, where we will host a bar and restaurant, a yoga sanctuary, and a wedding venue. The farm is currently undergoing several phases of farm construction/development including: an on-site restaurant and bar; a catering kitchen & event bar; restrooms; a greenhouse for year-round production; hoop houses for growing a variety of produce such as heirloom tomatoes (and for use as season extension); an animal barn to house chickens, goats and pigs; approximately 2 acres of annual vegetable production and 3 acres of perennial permaculture gardens. Our intention is to grow and supply the majority of fruits, vegetables and herbs that will be used in our on-site bar and restaurant, as well as provide a space to harmonize organic vegetable production and permaculture through community engagement and education.

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FARM LOCATION

Bodhi Farms is tucked along South Cottonwood Creek and offers breathtaking valley views. We sit just north of the Gallatin Range, on the southern side of Bozeman and east of Gallatin Gateway, Montana. The Gallatin Valley is a large, incredibly beautiful valley that has a long history of agricultural and recreational use. Hyalite Canyon & Cottonwood Canyon Trail  are both to the east offering stunning trails for hiking and fishing, and we are only a few miles from the Gallatin River. Big Sky is about a 45-minute drive to the South and offer endless opportunities for skiing, hiking and exploring. We are also only about an hour-and-a-half North of West Yellowstone and the West entrance of Yellowstone National Park. While this is an immensely beautiful and very diverse area, with much to see and do, it is in a convenient location about 15-minutes to the center of Bozeman. If you are interested in coming to work and learn organic farming skills in an incredibly beautiful part of the world, we'd love to hear from you!

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INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW

Under the direction of our Farm Manager, you will primarily be involved with the seeding, planting, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, cleaning, and packing of produce for use in the farm restaurant and bar. Other responsibilities could include irrigating, plowing, weeding, and tending to the permaculture orchards and annual and perennial gardens.  

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Because we are a new farm, there is ample opportunity to participate in the construction of homestead and farm-related structures. This season we will be constructing a barn, animal pens, compost bins, a smokehouse, and various miscellaneous farm projects. Because of this, you can expect to perform minor mechanical and carpentry work and widen your skill sets!

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Additionally, based on your passions and experience, there are opportunities for interested interns to be responsible for implementation of educational farm workshops, construction projects and the design and implementation of various aspects of the permaculture garden. 

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Work Schedule: We ask interns to work an average of 25 hours a week. Our work schedule tends to vary a bit throughout the season, but staff like to work 4 x 10 hour days Monday – Thursday when possible, interns will be working 4 x 6 hour days on average. During heavy harvest periods work may (temporarily) shift to some Friday mornings and/or Saturday or Sunday evenings. We take 45-minute break for lunch every day and weekends are free. Each intern is given 5 consecutive days of paid vacation time, with the stipulation that crew vacations must not overlap. We ask that successful applicants be fully prepared to commit to the entire 6 months. 

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Internship Starts: May 1, 2020
Internship Ends: October 31, 2020
Application Deadline: April 1, 2020
Number of Internship Available: 3
Minimum Duration: Full Season (6 months)

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Educational Opportunities. We believe the most valuable learning experience we have to offer lies in simply doing all the various day-to-day farm work and learning how that changes over the arc of the season. Come learn how to successfully run the farm and garden portion of a field-to-fork restaurant operation. This vertically integrated business model is an exciting new trend in farming and is brand new to this area. We hope to position you very well through this internship program with hands on experience in being a part of the farm team that provides the food to the culinary team. 

 

Our property is focused on education with a long list of workshops throughout spring, summer and fall. We will look to our interns to actively support these workshops, thereby giving you access to seasoned professionals in a variety of areas such as permaculture design and organic culinary skills! We also encourage interns to attend the various farm and food related community events that take place in Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley every year. 

 

Skills Desired. While some farm experience is desirable, it is not necessary as we will teach all the skills needed for the internship. It is important to us that you have a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, be able to take direction well, and work well with others as well as independently. Farming is very physical work, so interns should expect to be able to keep moving for much of the work day, to work in all weather conditions, and to be able to lift up to 50lbs. over your waist. You must be willing to work outdoors in all weather… you can expect very hot days in the middle of the summer, as well as some very cold days at the beginning and the end of the season. Some degree of physical discomfort while working outdoors should occasionally be both expected and acceptable. A passion for sustainable agriculture and/or local food systems, as well an appreciation for working outdoors, being part of a team, and being around little kids are all plusses.

 

Equipment.  We have 1 tractor, a Kubota BX80, and various farm implements that you will be trained on and will be able to use whenever applicable. We will mainly be using a wide variety of hand tools to manage our gardens, but we will also operate chainsaws, push mowers, various power tools and farm vehicles on occasion. 

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Meals. We provide select farm produce for our interns to enjoy but interns bring their own lunch daily, with the exception of a semi-regular potluck lunch shared by the whole farm.

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Compensation. We offer a $500/month (D.O.E.) stipend to each of our selected interns. Each intern gets a one week paid vacation and a bonus is offered to interns that meet/exceed expectations and fulfill their season-long commitment. There is also the possibility of advancement to a position of greater responsibility after successfully completing a season's internship with us.

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Housing. Unfortunately, we do not offer any housing. 

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CONTACT INFORMATION

If you are interested in applying for this internship position, please reach out to our Farm Manager, Cameron Gustafson and include either a written or video resume telling us about yourself and why you would be a great fit for a Bodhi Summer Internship.