We are offering 2 summer internships at Brigit Rest, 20 acres perched high on a ridge 30 miles west of Madison out in the beautiful Driftless Area of Wisconsin.  If you are interested in working on land with a large organic garden, vineyard, small orchard, many acres of prairie and supporting a national institute of progressive artists this could be the place for you this summer. Interns will work 30 hours over 5 days each week plus time for a reading and discussion session every other week, several field trips and guest visitors from the area are a highlight. Workshops at local organizations can be applied for. Room and board and $1000.00/month are provided.

Responsibilities and opportunities are enjoyable and enlightening. Land work involves caring for the garden, vineyard, orchard and doing restoration work on prairie and those acres in transition. Harvest leads to preserving and jam making and much produce is delivered to local food pantries. Work for the Black Earth Institute (www.blackearthinstitute.org) includes social media and other IT tasks, communication with Institute fellows and scholars, helping to arrange book and speaking tours and support for fellows’ activities. Each intern is to develop a specific project for BEI over the summer. Experience with arts organizations is a plus, as interests in organic production and prairie restoration. Depending on your program and institution credit may be available and past interns have received this based over work done and papers over the summer.

Interns are expected to stay at Brigit Rest a minimum of 5 days (at least 4 nights) each week though staying the entire time is also fine. A car is helpful, particularly if the intent is to be away for weekends. Interns have their own living space and share meal-related tasks with my wife and me. Photos are available of the house and land.

Intern applicants should have reviewed the work of BEI and its publication About Place Journal (www.aboutplacejournal.org) before applying. Be prepared to discuss this, as an intense interest in supporting the work of the Institute is expected.

Letters of intent with interest, qualifications and any experience should be addressed to Michael McDermott at this email blackearthinstitute@gmail.com