Internships at High Falls Gardens

Local Internships
These are private arrangements individualized schedules and curricula. Due to limited housing facilities, HFG currently accepts only those local interns who have their own separate housing. Interns are high school through post-graduate students or adults with special interests.

Student Internship Intensive
Since 2007, HFG has conducted a one-week, full immersion experience in agriculture, conservation and ecology with training in Asian medicinal plant horticulture. This has been scheduled for the third or fourth week in August.

Eligible Candidates. Students enrolled in the accredited colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, plus recent graduates.

Academic Credit. Credit for the program must be arranged by the sponsoring college or herb club. If requested, High Falls Gardens will cooperate to write the syllabus or program of study. Students who complete their program will receive a High Falls Gardens certificate of internship in addition to any academic credit provided by the sponsoring institution.

Fieldwork Dates. Late August TBD, Wednesday to Wednesday. If traveling long distance (50 + miles), please plan to arrive by 9 PM on the first Wednesday. Departure times on the second Wednesday are flexible, no program content on that date.

Fees, Room and Board. Program fees are $400, which does not include lodging or food. Campgrounds are not available, but interns may choose to lodge at the Hawthorne Valley Farm Visiting Students bunkhouse at $25 per day. The bunkhouse has a small kitchen, and the Farm Store is immediately adjacent. (See www.hawthornevalleyfarm.com.) A list of recommended motels in the area will be provided upon request.

Transportation. Students and/or sponsoring colleges are responsible for costs. The nearest airport is Albany International (ALB), although the NYC airports can be used along with Amtrak from Penn Station. Albany International pickups can be arranged at $50 and shared by two or more students if flight schedules allow. Local transportation, including pickups/dropoffs at the Hudson Amtrak station will be provided by HFG. Parking space is provided for students who bring a car.

Responsibilities. Students must be in good physical condition, as weather in late August can be very hot and humid. (Indoor work provided in event of electrical storm or heavy rain.) Students will be required to sign off on a memorandum of expectations regarding fieldwork conditions, rules, gear, tools, protective clothing and use of insect repellants.