Permaculture Business Internship – Winter 2014

Unlike many landscape design firms, web AppleSeed Permaculture LLC continues full-time permaculture design, pharm research, and development work straight through the winter. This year, we are offering an exclusive internship opportunity focused on permaculture business management and research.

OVERVIEW

AppleSeed Permaculture LLC is a cutting-edge permaculture & sustainable farm design firm dedicated to regenerating ecosystems and multi-capital economies around the planet.

This internship uses hands-on action learning and direct mentoring from firm principals Ethan Roland and Dyami Nason-Regan to train you in the nitty-gritty realities of a permaculture business. This is not the “sexy” part of permaculture – You will not participate in hands-on planting projects, tour permaculture sites, or travel the world. You will learn basic entrepreneurial skills like project management, client communications, web development, bookkeeping, and accounting.

The internship runs for 1-2 days per week, depending on experience. 1 day per week takes place in AppleSeed’s Accord, NY office. Internship runs until April, 2014.

 Position begins when filled – apply immediately if interested.    

INTERNSHIP INCLUDES:

  • Project Management: Designing and developing systems for task tracking, accountability, and completion; managing business development projects.
  • Permaculture Research: Plant species and varieties, sustainable farm business planning, multi-local market research, eco-social investing research.
  • Finances: Quickbooks accounting; supporting tax preparation and filing for multiple enterprises.
  • Technology & Social Media: AppleSeed website maintenance and updates, including blogs and social media integration. Building and managing Facebook pages and email lists for AppleSeed and allied enterprise educational events. (e.g. Terra Genesis International Permaculture Design Courses.) Troubleshooting routine technology problems and coordinating tech support as needed.
  • Other business management opportunities, to be determined depending on competency and experience of Intern.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Clear, direct, peaceful communication.
  • Internal resilience and self-sufficiency.  Ability to cheerfully improvise and adapt in changing circumstances.
  • Systems thinker, highly organized, able to clarify and simplify complexity.
  • Ability to attend to diverse details while staying connected to the big picture.
  • Excellent writing and speaking skills.
  • Warm, welcoming, connected phone presence and email “voice”.
  • Experience with Word, Excel, WordPress, Gmail, Google Docs, & Dropbox.
  • Familiarity with Quickbooks accounting.
  • Solid familiarity with Apple/Mac software and hardware.
  • Ability to design, streamline, and maintain efficient systems of operation and record-keeping.
  • Strong desire to contribute to regenerative eco-social enterprise development.
  • Familiarity with any of the following tools and languages is a plus:
    • Permaculture Design
    • Spiral Dynamics
    • Re-evaluation Counseling
    • 8 Shields / Art of Mentoring
    • 4-Hour Workweek
  • Passionate about personal growth and organizational development.
  • Willingness to go to new edges, learn new skills, and try new approaches.
  • Sense of humor, curiosity, and creativity.
  • Local to Accord, NY (mid-Hudson/Catskills region) is a plus.

Please reply to jobs@appleseedpermaculture.com with a resume, three references, and a concise letter describing:

  1. Your business management experience and qualifications related to the Internship,
  2. Your reasons for applying for this Internship.

Cheers,

Ethan Roland & Dyami Nason-Regan

Principals, AppleSeed Permaculture LLC

AppleSeed Permaculture Internship 2013

WORLD-CLASS PERMACULTURE & SOCIAL ENTERPRISE TRAINING

ASP_InternshipIn a Nutshell – A three-month internship with AppleSeed Permaculture, a cutting edge regenerative design firm based in the mid-Hudson River Valley of New York, USA. Internship runs from September 1st to November 20th, 2013 and focuses on professional permaculture design and social entrepreneurship. The internship offers full immersion and guided mentoring for everything from computer-aided drafting to deep nature connection. This is a unique opportunity – there’s nothing else like it, period. Interns must be permaculture-trained, hard-working, and self-directed. Three internship positions are available. Application period June 1st – July 15th, 2013. To apply for the Internship, download the application by clicking here and return it to design@appleseedpermaculture.com by July 15th, 2013.

“This internship was a launching pad for me to dive into doing work I am passionate about for a right livelihood – it empowered me with practical skills and deeper understandings to effectively accomplish my goals.” – Brandy Hall, 2010 Intern, owner of Shades of Green, Inc.

Who – Self-directed, entrepreneurial, motivated permaculture designers committed to creating positive change through social enterprise. Must have completed a Permaculture Design Certification Course. Computer skills and mac laptop with Adobe Creative Suite and are necessary. Preference given to applicants who identify as people of color, native peoples, and women.

Dyami_Planting

What – Action learning internship with AppleSeed Permaculture, a cutting edge regenerative design firm combining disciplines of sustainability to integrate humans into the landscape by designing productive ecosystems for homes, businesses, and communities. Internships are a mix of research and hands-on project-based learning.

PROGRAM INCLUDES:

  • Real World Design Project
    • Manage a professional design project for a real AppleSeed Permaculture client.
  • Design Apprentiship
    • Learn from AppleSeed Staff Designers by working with them on their projects: Large-scale water systems, urban edible landscapes, residential micro-farms.
  • Permacuture Busness Systems
    • Engage with proprietary systems for running an efficient and sucessful design business.
  • Deep Nature Connection
    • Absorb and emulate the processes of your local ecosystems to deepen your skill as a integrative designer.
  • Regenerative Systems Analysis
    • Research and apply the best practices of permaculture, biomimicry and eco-social design.

Where – The internship will take place in the Hudson River Valley bioregion of the northeastern United States. The AppleSeed Permaculture office is in Accord, NY. Interns will have the opportunity to live and work on a local permaculture farm for the duration of the internship.

“Beyond the skills needed for professional design and making a small business work, the AppleSeed internship gave me the tools and support to create “world change” from the inside, out.” – Mark Angelini, 2010 Intern, owner of Roots to Fruits Ecological Design

Internship Staff
  • Tama Jackson – Designer, Project Manager & Soil Specialist.
  • Dyami Nason-Regan - Lead Designer, Edible Landscaping & Installation Manager.
  • Ethan Roland – Lead Designer, Financial Permaculture & Agricultural Economics Specialist.
Local Partners 
  • Clove Valley CSA
  • Green Phoenix Permaculture
  • Falcon Formulations

When – September 1st – November 20th, 2013.

Each week, interns will work:
  • Two days with AppleSeed Permaculture LLC
  • Two days at Clove Valley CSA
  • One day with Green Phoenix Permaculture

Why – The Permaculture Design Course is a great introduction to permaculture. And, the world needs professional permaculture designers to actually create effective change. Becoming a professional permaculture designer requires a large and diverse skill-set, training in social entrepreneurship, and hands-on mentoring from working professionals. If you are someone who wants to become a professional permaculture designer by working with seasoned experts in the field, this internship is for you.

ASP_Internship02

To Apply – Download the application by clicking here. Return the completed application and all attachments to design@appleseedpermaculture.com by July 15th, 2013.

“The value of my internship with Appleseed Permaculture was immense!  I learned what it takes to be a permaculture design entrepreneur using the best technology, resources, and techniques.  I loved every minute of it and what I learned has been extremely helpful in my new business!” – Evan Schoepke, 2010 Intern, Gaia Punk Design Co-op & Punk Rock Permaculture E-Zine

AppleSeed Permaculture Internships 2011

Eco-social training for positive systemic world-change

In a Nutshell – Two to three-month internships with AppleSeed Permaculture, a cutting edge regenerative design firm in the mid-Hudson River Valley of New York. Internships run 2 days per week from May 15th to August 15th, and focus on professional permaculture design and eco-social entrepreneurship. The internship offers full immersion and guided mentoring for everything from computer-aided drafting to financial permaculture accounting. This is a unique opportunity – there’s nothing else like it, period. Interns must be self-directed and self-sufficient, organize their own accommodations, and provide their own transportation. Two internships are available, at the cost of $2,000 per intern per month.  Application period March 15th – April 1st, 2011. Please submit a letter of introduction with your personal & professional goals, a 1-2 page resume, and 3 references to design@appleseedpermaculture.com. See below for full details.

NOTE (March 28th): SCHOLARSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE!

AppleSeed Permaculture is extending needs-based scholarships to outstanding internship applicants. In your application, please indicate the amount of money you are able to contribute per month for this unique internship experience.

“This internship was a launching pad for me to dive into doing work I am passionate about for a right livelihood – it empowered me with practical skills and deeper understandings to effectively accomplish my goals.” – Brandy Hall, 2010 Intern, Ashevillage Institute & owner of Shades of Green, Inc.

Who – Self-directed, motivated permaculture designers committed to creating positive ecological and social change in the world. Must have completed a Permaculture Design Certification Course. Computer skills and mac with Adobe Creative Suite are necessary. Preference given to applicants who identify as people of color, native peoples, women, and other constituencies targeted by oppression.

 

What – Action learning internship with AppleSeed Permaculture, a cutting edge regenerative design firm combining disciplines of sustainability to integrate humans into the landscape by designing productive ecosystems for homes, businesses, and communities. Internships are a mix of research and hands-on project-based learning. Interns will learn about all aspects of running a small business while collaborating with professionals in the fields of education, international aid and development, architecture, design, and engineering. Skills learned include über-clear communication, high tech digital design, low-tech field methodology, edible landscape establishment & caretaking, and integral design systems (holistic management, spiral dynamics, eight shields, financial permaculture, and others). The program is flexible, seeking to achieve the learning goals of the intern while meeting the needs of the firm.

 

Internship Session & Topic Areas

Interns may apply for one internship session of two to three months within the May 15th to August 15th window. The primary project areas of the internship are Permaculture Design and Eco-Social Entrepreneurship.

• Permaculture Design – Communities require local food security to thrive in the coming years. The intern helps build community through integrative farm & agriculture research. For example, current clients include a green co-housing development, two production orchards transitioning to permaculture, and diversified organic farms from New York City to Vermont. To get a sense of the work you’ll learn to do, check out the AppleSeed Permaculture Portfolio.

Economic Projections for Ecological Agriculture Economic Projections for Ecological Agriculture MMH_DesignThumb

• Eco-Social Entrepreneurship – Tackle the most complicated issues faced by humanity through innovative enterprises that regenerate ecological and social health. Learn skills for inter- and intra-personal communication, legal and financial business start-up and development, whole-systems marketing, open collaboration enterprise models, and action documentation of ecological, economic, and social solutions to global climate change & peak oil. Interns gain hands-on experience with ecosystemic business management, focusing on collaboration, web 2.0 tools, and social media networking.

“Beyond the skills needed for professional design and making a small business work, the AppleSeed internship gave me the tools and support to create “world change” from the inside, out.” – Mark Angelini, 2010 Intern, owner of Roots to Fruits Ecological Design

Where – The internship will take place in the Hudson River Valley bioregion of the northeastern United States. The AppleSeed Permaculture office is in Stone Ridge, NY. Interns will have the opportunity to live and work on a local permaculture farm for the duration of the internship.

When – Monday & Wednesday, 9:00am – 5:00pm for two-three months, May 15th to August 15th. Application period March 15th – April 1st, 2011. Internships will be awarded on April 15th, 2011.

Why – In working towards sustainability, you must seek leverage points for positive change that work fast and impact large numbers of people. This is a unique opportunity – the internship trains you in systems-thinking, preparing and empowering you for real world action.

How – A mixture of self-directed and collaborative project work. Direct mentoring empowers intern to take on and lead their own projects.

Your Next Steps – If you are interested in an internship position, Please submit a letter of introduction with your personal & professional goals, a 1-2 page resume, and 3 references to design@appleseedpermaculture.com before April 1st, 2011.

NOTE (March 28th): SCHOLARSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE!

AppleSeed Permaculture is extending needs-based scholarships to outstanding internship applicants. In your application, please indicate the amount of money you are able to contribute per month for this unique internship experience.

“The value of my internship with Appleseed Permaculture was immense!  I learned what it takes to be a permaculture design entrepreneur using the best technology, resources, and techniques.  I loved every minute of it and what I learned has been extremely helpful in my new business!” – Evan Schoepke, 2010 Intern, Gaia Punk Design Co-op & Punk Rock Permaculture E-Zine