2012 Internship and Work Exchange Opportunities

If you’d like to see what life is like at Dancing Rabbit and build your skills in sustainable living at the same time, you may be interested in a work exchange or internship position. In exchange for your help on a project, your host will typically provide for your living accommodations, food, and other living expenses at Dancing Rabbit. Opportunities to gain hands-on experience are, of course, also part of the exchange. (In the case of internships, there may be some amount of structured learning as well).

Available projects often include natural building, green building, building design, organic gardening and food preservation, and small agricultural endeavors. Sometimes there are also opportunities to work on small business projects or sustainable technology. Generally a work exchange position will focus exclusively on building or gardening, but sometimes a host will offer a position that includes a combination.

The work exchange/internship “season” generally runs from April through October (though occasionally extended season opportunities arise).

You can obtain an application by emailing drwexapp@gmail.com. The application contains more detailed information about work exchanging/interning at Dancing Rabbit. The best time to apply is between December and March. Positions for 2012 are very limited, so best to apply early!

Building Opportunities

*Straw Bale
* Earth & Lime Plaster
* Earthen Floors
* Light Clay Straw
* Timber Frame
* Post and Beam
* Cob
* Earth Bag
* Urbanite Foundation
* Rubble Trench

Some of the work takes some prior knowledge and skill, but a lot of it simply takes willingness to do hard, sometimes repetitive, physical labor and a good attitude. You’re sure to get lots of practice in what natural building is all about!

Organic Gardening Opportunities

* prepare garden beds for planting
* tend to plant starts in a greenhouse
* transplant starts
* weed and water (a summertime favorite!)
* apply natural pest control methods
* harvest the goodies
* cook, an, dry, pickle, and preserve food in many other ways

You might also:
* prune trees
* tend to a vineyard
* inoculate mushroom logs
* gather wild edibles
* tend to worms, chickens, or other animals

The work will depend on the time of the year and the gardening style of the host. As a work exchanger/intern you’re sure to get muddy and sweaty and to eat good home-grown food!

If you'd like to come see what we're doing and experience one or three weeks of life among the Rabbits, please contact us about visiting.

You may also want to check out the internships available at our neighboring communities, Sandhill Farm and Red Earth Farms.