Garden Intern - Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary

Work-Exchange Position 2026 Growing Season | Orange, Vermont

About the Position

Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary is offering four Garden Intern positions for the 2026 growing season. This is an educational work-exchange opportunity: interns receive full enrollment in the Seed to Harvest: A Hands-On Seasonal Series garden workshop (a $950 value) in exchange for contributing regular stewardship hours to the sanctuary gardens throughout the season.

This position is well-suited for someone who is eager to learn by doing, values mentored hands-on experience over classroom instruction, and wants to develop real competency in medicinal and native plant horticulture over the course of a full growing season – from spring awakening through autumn close.

What You Receive

Full enrollment in the Seed to Harvest Garden Workshop Series (value: $950), including all three weekend sessions:

Weekend One – Spring: Awakening the Garden (June 6–7)
Weekend Two – Summer: The Abundant Garden (August 8–9)
Weekend Three – Autumn: Closing the Circle (October 3–4)

Each weekend runs Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (12 contact hours per weekend, 36 hours total). Attendance at all three weekends is required as part of the internship.

Workshop enrollment covers instruction, materials, and hands-on learning experiences including herbal insect repellent making, compost tea brewing, seed processing, and more. See the full program description for curriculum details.

Additional benefits:

Certificate of completion from Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary
Letter of recommendation upon successful completion
Direct mentorship from Joann Darling, Garden Steward for Sage Mountain and Vermont Center of Integrative Herbalism
Deepened knowledge of rare and diverse medicinal and native plant species
Networking within Vermont’s botanical and herbal community
Immersive, season-long experience in one of Vermont’s most treasured plant collections

What You Contribute

Work exchange hours: Approximately 6 hours every two weeks throughout the growing season (late May through October), for a total of roughly 60 hours of garden stewardship outside of workshop time.

Work sessions are scheduled in coordination with Joann Darling and will take place at Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary in Orange, Vermont. Sessions are typically conducted in small groups alongside fellow interns.

Seasonal responsibilities include:

Spring (May–June): Clearing winter debris, early season weeding, spreading compost and amendments, planting new starts, mulching, installing plant labels, and monitoring for pests and disease.

Summer (July–August): Ongoing weed management, deadheading and strategic pruning, harvesting medicinal plants at peak potency, applying compost teas, staking plants, and maintaining pathways and mulch.

Autumn (September–October): Seed collection and processing, dividing and transplanting perennials, fall planting, end-of-season cleanup, tool cleaning and storage, and final documentation.

Throughout the season: Maintaining compost systems, updating plant labels and signage, documenting phenology and bloom times, and assisting with visitor education when present during open hours.

Physical Requirements

Garden work is physical, outdoor, and season-spanning. Interns should be comfortable with:

Bending, kneeling, and sustained repetitive motion
Lifting up to 40 pounds
Working in varied weather conditions (sun, rain, heat, early-season cold)
Working both independently and alongside others

Ideal Candidate

You don’t need extensive gardening experience; commitment and genuine curiosity are what matter most. We’re looking for people who:

Have a real interest in medicinal plants, native species, or herbal medicine
Show up reliably and follow through on commitments
Bring attention to detail and careful observational skills
Are open to mentorship and constructive feedback
Respect the sanctuary, its collections, and its mission
Can commit to the full season – all three workshop weekends plus regular biweekly work sessions

This position is particularly well-suited for aspiring herbalists, botanical garden volunteers, permaculture practitioners, and anyone seeking a foundation in medicinal plant horticulture — but all backgrounds are welcome. This is an educational work-exchange program, not an employment position.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the season, interns will have:

Developed practical competency across all major garden management tasks
Built confidence in identifying medicinal and native plant species
Practiced organic, sustainable methods through a complete growing cycle
Gained experience in plant propagation, seed saving, and division
Developed ergonomic work habits for long-term garden health
Contributed meaningfully to the preservation of botanical knowledge at a nationally recognized sanctuary

To Apply

Please submit the following to info@sagemountain.com:

A brief letter of interest (one page) describing your connection to plants and what you hope to learn this season
A resume or description of relevant experience: gardening, volunteer work, time outdoors, or other
Two references with contact information
Confirmation that you have reliable transportation for unpaved roads through all Vermont seasons and are available for all three workshop weekends and for biweekly work sessions from late May through October

Application deadline: April 20, 2026
Interviews: May 1, 2026
Season begins: Late May 2026

Questions? Contact info@sagemountain.com