Internship Program
Our first intern, Molly, came from Indiana to join us for our 2025 spring and summer seasons. She helped us develop our program and see how we can work together in the future with other future farmers, gardeners, planters, landscape designers, and other stewards of the land.
Our goal is always to be growing our community, and finding new ways to work with others. We have plenty to offer an inquisitive mind about the various aspects of small market farming using restorative, ecologically-balanced methods, and we also welcome all the help we can get: with limited time and strength, we always are interested in new ways we can share the work!
Washington State allows small farms to host interns each season, and helps farmers figure out how to support these wonderful folks with both the education and legal niceties required to make it work.
We were glad to add Molly’s help to the farm last year, and are welcoming new applications for the 2026 season!
What kind of work do interns perform?
With so many different projects going on at the farm, there is plenty of flexibilty in the types of work interns might find themselves focusing on each week.
Generally, we try to divide the labor in half: part of our interns’ labor will focus on basic and regular tasks such as planting, harvesting, weeding, and preparing foods for customers. The other half is flexible and can be built around an intern’s passion. This might mean hoophouse restoration and development, mushroom cultivation, ecological restoration and agroforestry projects, compost and soil care, orchard care, development of perennial beds, honeybee care, native plant nursery development, or other tasks that fit into the physical and mental interests of each individual intern.
This first part takes a lot of dedication to routine as well as attention to detail, whereas the second part requires significant self-motivation. Both require stamina, clear communication, and a willingness to troubleshoot. And hopefully both will leave our interns in love with growing the land!
What do we provide interns?
Although the internship is unpaid, we provide the following:
Rustic Housing – interns stay in our 25-foot yurt, which is furnished with beds, couches, chairs, table, and a few other items. We have not yet installed electricity (possible 2026 project!) but there is a solar-powered battery that can provide lighting, power the coffee pot, and as our former intern discovered, run a sewing machine! While we value and will work towards safety and privacy, interns need to be able to share this space with consideration for others.
Outdoor Kitchen & Bathroom – our gazebo is set up for outdoor use with a sink, propane stove, fridge access, and electrical outlets. A picnic table offers one location to eat, in addition to covered spaces of the yurt and gazebo. And our outdoor bathroom has a propane shower and electricity.
Board – we will work with you to make sure you have the food you need. Obviously, veggies and fruit abound, but we will also provide all basic staples and some extras. Some weekly sharing of meals.
Education – the main perk of this gig is a curriculum that we tailor to your learning goals. We can provide the syllabus for those interested! This education is agricultural in nature, and is integrated into the work you do on the farm. No tests though, so phew!
Interested in finding out more? Email us at tangledthicketfarm@gmail.com and tell us about yourself and your interests. You can also find our listing on ATTRA Sustainable Agriculture’s website.
Internships are 3-6 months, from mid-spring through fall. We can host up to two seperate interns, with a preference for at least one of those interns being local. We would consider a couple in a stable relationship. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and value diversity. This role does require the ability to perform essential functions, including lifting up to 50 lbs or standing for long periods, with or without reasonable accommodation.