The Pfeiffer Center internship, a twelve-month residential program, is a unique opportunity to learn the nuts and bolts of biodynamics in a setting that blends intensive garden work with unique academic opportunities.
The Pfeiffer Center internship is intended for individuals who want to broaden and deepen their understanding of organic sustainable agriculture and the biodynamic approach. Some gardening experience and familiarity with biodynamics is helpful but not necessary. Candidates must be physically fit, as well as willing and able to do a wide variety of tasks in the garden. Also helpful are an open mind and a positive disposition.
Interns work towards mastery of techniques in
- agricultural handwork
- making and applying the Biodynamic preparations
- plant care
- soil amendment and bed preparation
- crop rotation, succession, and companion planting
- greenhouse work
- composting
- beekeeping
- orchard management
- and more – in part depending on each intern's interests.
For those with the interest and ability, there is also the opportunity to work with a team of draft horses, both in animal care and fieldwork.
Interns also enroll tuition-free in the Pfeiffer Center’s One-Year Part-Time Practical Training in Biodynamics; participate in all Pfeiffer Center programs and workshops throughout the year; engage in structured small-group study of Agriculture by Rudolf Steiner; and help teach environmental education programs for local children.
The internship's focus on agricultural handwork represents an opportunity not available in farm apprenticeship programs, and helps develop skills that are invaluable when applied to tractor-based agriculture. The academic opportunities that are integral to the internship afford our interns an unusually balanced life of work and study. The focus on biodynamics leads to a heightened understanding of issues of quality which are often given little attention today.
Qualified interns are provided with a dormitory room in Holder House, a 40-room student dormitory on the campus, and garden produce in season. No stipend is provided. Opportunities for part-time work are usually available in the community. Arranging work is the responsibility of the intern.
The Pfeiffer Center will cooperate with colleges and universities offering credit for internship programs or work on special projects. It is the responsibility of the student to secure credit for the internship.
At this time, we are only able to accept applicants who are US citizens or legal residents. The Pfeiffer Center cannot assist with visa applications.
Intern positions become available throughout the year and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Two forms are required to apply; please click on the links to download the Application and the Student Medical Form (requires Adobe Reader, which can be downloaded here). For more information about the internship, please call 845-352-5020 x20, or email info@pfeiffercenter.org.
The Pfeiffer Center is a Participating Mentor Farm and a Participating Classroom Study Program within the North American Biodynamic Apprenticeship Program. Click here for more information.