The Hoop House at Kalamazoo College is a community garden supported by the Mary Jane Underwood Stryker Center for Civic Engagement and the Larry J. Bell ‘80 Environmental Stewardship Center, that provides opportunities for students to reflect on their relationships with community, culture, and land through cultivating and sharing food, beauty, curiosity, and care for each other and our biotic community.  

The Hoop House Intern will work under the mentorship of ESC staff to assist with the management of and care for the Kalamazoo College Hoop House garden and garden community. This is a one-year position for the academic year 2024-2025 with an expectation of 5-7 hours per week.  

Responsibilities include: 

• Complete a two-day orientation and engage in ongoing learning on the job. No previous experience is required, but an enthusiasm for learning is essential. Mandatory orientation dates are September 13 & 14.  
• Participate in weekly staff meetings to coordinate Hoop House activities and learn community garden management skills. Weekly staff meetings are on Mondays at 11am.
• Work independently to complete weekly tasks important for the care and maintenance of the Hoop House. 
• Host weekly drop-in community gardening hours at the Hoop House (every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 4:30-6pm). Welcome visitors and volunteers, teach gardening skills, and coordinate the safe harvesting and distribution of food. 
• Collaborate on seasonal crop planning.  
• Support classes, student-led organizations, and community groups who wish to hold activities or host events at the Hoop House. 
• Coordinate and facilitate community programming such as work days, special events, and celebrations.  

Qualifications: 

• An interest in learning about all aspects of community garden management, including caring for plants, caring for people, and supporting community within an institutional context. 
• A strong commitment to food justice and an interest in learning about the foodways and agricultural practices of different cultures. 
• Good collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills. 
• The ability to follow through on commitments, take initiative, work independently, and ask for help when needed. 
• The ability to adapt to and learn from unexpected challenges. 

Applications open Thursday 5/16 and close on Monday 5/27 at midnight. Check out the CCPD’s References and Recommendations website for tips to create or edit your application materials.