FC 23 HS IP MSTFP Market Gardener

Hourly Pay: $13.65/hr. 

Term:  10 weeks 

Reports To: Montezuma School to Farm Project 

Location:  Cortez, CO 

Dates: June 5th - July 28th, 2023

Eligibility: *Applicants must be Montezuma County Residents, ages 16-18

Southwest Conservation Corps’ Mission  

It is the mission of the Southwest Conservation Corps to empower individuals to positively impact their lives, their communities, and the environment.  

Program Overview:  

The Montezuma School to Farm Project Unites the local agriculture heritage with a growing future by engaging students at the crossroads of sustainable agriculture, resource conservation, health and economics through educational experiences in outdoor garden classes, on field trips, and summer farm programs. With the average age of a famer on the rise there is a need to reach students and teach the importance of land stewardship, sustainable agricultural practices, and conservation. 

The “Seed to the Market” summer program will focus on learning about the varieties of vegetable crops, soil and weed management, safe harvest/food handling and marketing. The individual will grow, maintain and sell their own market crop in order to gain insight into a realistic view of the life of a food producer. 

Essential roles and responsibilities include: 

• Seeding Starting and Propagation 
• Bed preparations and Planting 
• Irrigation set up and maintenance  
• Organic Weed and Pest management 

• Harvesting and Safe Food Handling 
• Marketing and Sales at Cortez Farmers Market  

Desired Skills/Qualifications:  

• General interest in food production, food systems, conservation or gardening 

• Previous participation in SCC/MSTFP Programs 
• Ability to lift 40 lbs. 
• Time management  
• Openness to learn 

Housing Provided:  No 

Training Provided:  

• Farm and Tool Safety  

• From the Garden to the Farm 
• Starting seeds indoors  
• Soil Health and Pre-Planting preparations  
• Drip and Overhead Irrigation systems  
• Weed and Pest identification and organic management 

• Food Safety and Storage viii. Farmers Market cash handling and marketing 

Requirements:  

• High School age 
• U.S. Citizenship 
• must be Montezuma County Residents, ages 16-18
• Permanent Resident Card, INS form I-551 
• Alien Registration Card, INS form I-551 
• A passport indicating that the INS has approved it as temporary evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence 
• A departure record (INS 194) indication that the INS has approved it as temporary evidence of lawful admission for permanent residence 

Apply Now!  

To apply, please submit the online application.  

Contact Tersea DiTore with any questions. tditore@conservationlegacy.org 

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.