Winderong Farm is offering 6-month residential internships to people who are interested in all thing’s plants and sustainable living!
Winderong Farm is an experimental project encompassing regenerative agriculture, bush regeneration, permaculture, sustainability and communal living. Our farm is set on 810 acres of stunning wilderness and farmland in beautiful Dharawal country, Kangaroo Valley. Our community consists of around 12-15 full-time residents, 6+ local employees, and a host of beautiful and much-loved farm animals and wildlife. We aim to embody the permaculture principle of “we are nature working” and develop a deep understanding and respect for the land we steward, all the time aiming to regenerate the earth and learn from her and each other.
Learn how to grow organic, nutrient dense vegetables, herbs and fruit using a variety of techniques including permaculture, natural farming, and biodynamics. The growing area is around 2.5 acres, with an annual cropping area, native plant windbreak, herb garden, hugelkulter, poly tunnel and an orchard. You will also have the option to work with our bush regeneration team using 100% chemical free techniques. Native seed collection, germination and planting is also integrated.
Skills you will learn include:
- Planning and planting with the seasons
- Soil health and bed preparation
- Seed saving and seedling raising
- Cover cropping
- Integrated pest management
- Irrigation and hydrology
- Harvesting and storage
- Orchard management (eg. pruning, netting)
- Food processing, fermenting and preserving
- Bush foods and bush medicine preparation
Additionally, you’ll learn how to make a variety of inputs for the garden:
- Seed raising and potting up mix
- Compost - lactobacillus, biodynamic techniques and chicken compost
- Compost tea - both aerobic and anaerobic
- Natural fertilisers
- Biochar & bone char
- Biodynamic CPP
You’ll also be involved in various tasks to support the day-to-day management of the farm and community, eg maintenance, house cleaning, food preparation.
This is a working internship and is most suited to those who learn through doing. Additional educational opportunities include a weekly meeting for discussion, visits to local growers, and the option to participate in any workshops or events hosted by the farm.
We are happy to tailor the internship to your interests and meet any institutional requirements you have if you are doing formal study. We also welcome couples and families to apply.
Additional benefits that come with living at Winderong Farm:
- Living in a community of diverse people with shared values
- Access to an extensive library exploring permaculture, regenerative agriculture, growing guides, herbalism and other books
- A great local community with monthly Crop-Swap, farmers market and other activities
- Weekly Zoom yoga class
- Seasonal celebrations
- Communal gatherings such as singing/mending/crafting circle
- Local First Nations community connections and activities
- Beautiful bushwalks on and surrounding the property
- Access to educational webinars and films
Our internships incorporate both volunteer and paid hours. Volunteer work is exchanged for accommodation, high quality food, and educational opportunities. This is generally structured from 8:30am-12:30pm, Monday-Friday (20 hours per week). All work beyond this 20 hours is paid work (generally completed in the afternoon). Occasional weekend work is required. Paid work commences 2 weeks after arrival and interns are expected to eventually contribute 12-15+ hours beyond their volunteer requirement. This internship is intended for people who are enthusiastic to deepen their involvement over time and support the growth of our farm through the growth of your own knowledge and skills.
Accommodation in a decked-out bus and delicious organic food is provided.
We are very open to interns extending beyond their 6 months to become long-term residents and employees. A post-graduate program is in development to provide further learning opportunities and reciprocity for involvement. We are also open to long-term residents developing their own microenterprises on the farm.
Note that Winderong does not currently sell fruit or vegetables commercially. The food we grow is primarily to feed our community, with excess being either swapped, sold at the monthly markets or donated to food banks.
Internship intakes occur every 4 months and the official application window is advertised via our social media. Feel free to contact us and express interest at any time via the email below!
To apply, send an email to winderongfarm@gmail.com with:
- Your resume
- A cover letter telling us:
- Who you are
- Why you would like to intern with Winderong
- Which internship stream you have chosen and why
- What skills and experience you bring