City Sprouts Farm Food Systems Intern

Abstract

As a food systems intern, I completed tasks such as harvesting produce, planting cover crops, and putting away supplies for the season. At this point in the year, the farm is finishing up the growing season and preparing for winter. Harvested foods included carrots, broccoli, squash, beets, tomatoes, and beans. Work on the farm also focused on sustainable practices. Planting cover crops protects the soil from wind and rain throughout the winter. It allows for nitrogen fixation in the soil and ensures that the beds will be ready for produce in the spring without the use of tilling. Additionally, we participated in a compost workshop. At the workshop we made a thermophilic compost pile. Heat created by reproducing bacteria killed pathogens and weed seeds. This created soil that would not require the use of fertilizers and chemicals while effectively using plant waste from the farm. At the end of the internship, tasks included rolling up drip tape, cleaning tools, and deconstructing tunnels in final preparation for the winter