Student Summer Job Applications are now closed for the summer of 2025.
See the job description below if you are interested in pursuing student summer employment in 2026!
Cultiv8 GROW Student Intern Job Description
Cultiv8’s Student Interns work outside at the Cultiv8 Farm for 35 hours per week. The job usually lasts for 16 weeks (Early May until Late August), with a part-time work requirement (up to 7 hours/week) during the fall once classes are back in session (until farm sales end in late October).
The goal of Cultiv8 GROW is to provide Summer Interns with hands-on experiential learning to complement theory learnt in the classroom. Interns grow vegetables and flowers from seed to harvest, sell them to customers, host occasional tours/activities, perform other duties as required, all while having fun with applied learning!
Job Requirements
While experience in vegetable farming is an asset and education in plant science (or equivalent discipline) is beneficial, neither are requirements for applying. Most important components of a successful candidate are:
- Collaborative attitude – always contributing to the team
- Timeliness – showing up on time ready to work
- Willingness and desire to learn – actively listening, interacting, and showing initiative
- Professionalism – being courteous, helpful, and welcoming to others
- Openness – to doing what needs to be done
- Ability to do manual labour – including occasional lifting of up to 40 lbs (18 kgs).
Certification
The following certifications are required to work on Dalhousie Campus, and training may be available through the job (ask about this during your interview):
- Basic First Aid
- Occupational Health and Safety
- WHMIS
Key Responsibilities
Under mentorship from the Farm Coordinator (occasionally the Cultiv8 Manager), Student interns will participate in the following:
- Growing vegetables/flowers from seed to harvest – sowing seed, transplanting, tending, harvesting, post-harvest preparation, succession planting
- High-tunnel construction/maintenance, trellising, irrigation installation/use
- Best management practices for market gardening, season extension
- Sales (farm gate and farmer's market), customer discovery, marketing
- Pest management, Disease management, Fertility management
More Details
Chain of Command
Student Interns report directly to the Farm Coordinator for daily and weekly tasks, yet ultimately report to the Cultiv8 Manager.
Sales
We have two main channels of sales; our Farm Box subscriptions and direct sales - at farm gate and at the Truro Farmer's Market.
Farm Box Subscriptions
Our Farm Box Subscribers are the ones who have put the most faith in us (having paid in advance for our products), and will pick up their vegetables once per week.
Direct Sales
Farm Gate - These sales happen once per week over six hours at the Cultiv8 Sales Shed. This is the chance to really engage with customers; we want them to feel welcome – to buy, to ask questions, to choose. We want them to learn about Cultiv8 and Cultiv8 GROW so that we can build this initiative as an important part of our community.
Truro Farmer's Market - 2026 marks the first year that Cultiv8 will have a biweekly vendor booth at the Truro Farmer’s Market, from July 4th to October 17th - 9am to 1pm. This shall provide Student Interns with the traditional experience most market gardeners have regarding selling their product. In addition, the market gives Cultiv8 the opportunity to further be of service to the community, adding to an already stellar lineup of vendors to assist in providing customers with the best market experience (and produce) possible.
Events/Engagement
As a representative of Cultiv8, the Student Intern will participate and contribute to the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus summer experience by hosting occasional tours/events involving community groups and visiting schools.
Professionalism
Most important to the outward-facing business persona of the Cultiv8 GROW Farm is how it appears to faculty, staff, students, industry and the community. Showing up as a positive, helpful, and insightful team member is essential to the initiative.
Safety
Nobody will operate any motorized machinery (weed trimmers, mowers, etc.,) without wearing steel-toed boots. It is mandatory to wear steel-toed boots for all farm work.
Applicable Safety Training will be provided by the Demo Garden Technician or Farm Coordinator should it be required.