Ashevillage Institute

Five internship positions available for folks who want to learn by doing!

Gain real-life Permaculture experience at a premier urban demonstration site
We offer low-cost, hands-on, action-oriented learning opportunities at our one-acre urban demonstration site. Immerse yourself in applied Permaculture, either before or after you participate in a PDC. Interns will assist in the development of projects at the Ashevillage Institute and gain practical experience and skills that a standard PDC does not offer. Based on your interests and timing, our team will determine with you which project(s) will be yours to work on in order to develop your knowledge and skills. These positions are for people who like to work independently and with others. Please read the details below and fill out the survey if you would like to be considered for one of our five positions.

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Where you would be working
The Ashevillage Institute (AVI) is a nonprofit project dedicated to sustainable solutions in action. We are based at a beautiful one-acre urban demonstration site with integrated ecological systems that address humanity’s most pressing needs on a backyard scale. We grow food and medicinal plants, capture and use rainwater, work with volunteers and interns, and offer tours and educational programs. Our goal is to inspire others to create something similar in their yards and neighborhoods. Our site is residential, situated between downtown Asheville, NC and 60 acres of wooded parkland and trails.

Site includes:
• 18,000 gallon living rainwater catchment system including:
- biological, mycological and geological remediation,
- five recirculating aquaponic ponds, bogs, and catchment swales,
- an aquaponic greenhouse with integrated chicken coop and shower
• Earthworks that further maximize rainwater retention and utilization
• Two naturally renovated houses, one for guests and one for residents
• Beautiful and organic edible, medicinal and flowered landscape
• Bees, chickens, soldier fly larvae & mushroom production
• Outdoor kitchen with wood-fired cook stove & oven
• Natural buildings, renovations & mud art
• Woods with camping and meeting space
• Recycled urbanite patio

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Project Areas
Your time with us would include: independent hands-on activities at our site; guidance, demonstration and side-by-side engagement with our team; some computer and book research; and networking with other specialists as needed. Based on your interests combined with current projects, you would be involved in some of the following:

Hands-on
• Mycology
• Aquaponics
• Natural building
• Green infrastructure
• Earthworks & stone work
• Appropriate technologies
• Food processing & fermentation
• Organic gardening & soil building

Office
• Administration
• Graphic design
• Tours & public relations
• Social media & outreach
• Fundraising & grant-writing
• Research & documentation
• Organizational & program development

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Duration & Fee
The way this internship works is that the more you invest, the less it costs. The total cost is $400 whether you intern for one month or all season. This fee covers our initial investment in your learning experience and what it takes to get you fully on board at the site. You will then be welcome to stay on to deepen your experience. The minimum commitment is two days per week for four weeks, with a maximum of full time for six months. After that, we would discuss the option of you being part of our coordinator team.

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Application & Registration
We have five positions. Registration is rolling. Start dates are flexible. If you are interested, please fill out and submit the registration link below. We will get back to you within 3-5 business days to schedule a call and, if right for both of us, confirm. Once confirmed, a $200 deposit will reserve your place. The remaining $200 will be due the week before your first day. All deposits and fees are 100% NON-REFUNDABLE, but are transferable to another start date or an AVI workshop within 12 months of receipt. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Contact
The AVI Team
info@ashevillage.org
www.ashevillage.org

POSITION AVAILABLE: Ashevillage Institute’s Mycology Coordinator

Volunteer position with benefits for grad students and college seniors

“We are delivering a whole system, ground-up approach that addresses humanity’s most critical challenges at a neighborhood scale.” – Janell Kapoor, founder

START IN 2012 (Choice of 3, 6, or 12-month internship)
The Ashevillage Institute (AVI) is looking for a top notch volunteer to fill our Mycology Coordinator position. This is an incredible opportunity to be part of one of the premier urban permaculuture demonstration sites in the country. You will be working with a dedicated and knowledgeable on-site staff to design, develop, implement and test the performance of diverse mushroom production systems that you help to create.

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ASHEVILLAGE INSTITUTE
The Ashevillage Institute (AVI) is a nonprofit dedicated to sustainable solutions in action. AVI is based at a one-acre  property with integrated ecological systems that address humanity’s most pressing needs. We grow food and medicinal plants, capture and use rainwater, work with volunteers and interns, and offer tours and educational programs. Our goal is to inspire others to do the same on a home and neighborhood scale. Our site is residential and sits between downtown Asheville, NC and 60 acres of wooded parkland and trails. Highlights include:

• 18,000 gallon living rainwater catchment system with bio-myco remediation
• Two naturally renovated houses, one for guests and one for residents
• Aquaponic greenhouse with integrated chicken coop and shower
• Five recirculating aquaponic ponds, bogs, and catchment swales
• Beautiful and organic edible, medicinal, and flowered landscape
• Earthworks that maximize rainwater retention and utilization
• Bees, chickens, soldier fly larvae & mushroom production
• Outdoor kitchen with wood-fired cook stove & oven
• Natural buildings, renovations & mud art
• Woods with camping and meeting space
• Recycled urbanite patio

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RESPONSIBILITIES
• Research and develop an integrated mushroom system that maximizes water and nutrient usage for the purpose of on-site remediation, medicine and food consumption
• Design, build and implement mushroom habitat in logs, shrub piles and a mycoremediation train in a way that is in sync with the overall site aesthetic
• Research and acquire seven edible species for medicinal, nutritive and bioremediation uses
* Note life/production cycles of each
* Determine production capacity (yield)
• Develop and implement system to harvest and preserve mushrooms for specific end uses
• Analyze mushrooms for toxins including heavy metals, hydrocarbons and pesticides
• Research local mushroom market, and propose and implement a strategy for selling mushrooms, ie: to local restaurants, thus helping to develop a cottage industry
• Create a detailed program with distinct tasks for maintenance and recording data
• Contribute to educational outreach via:
* Writing/editing articles, blogs and possibly videos
* Facilitating tours and assisting workshops
* Being available for interviews

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QUALIFICATIONS
• Pursuing an advanced degree (Master’s or Doctorate program) in Mycology or related field
• Knowledge of mushroom propagation, growing, harvest cycles
• You have a deep passion for creating ecological solutions to today’s global challenges
• You have a refined eye for detail and a job well-done
• You are a good communicator and team player
• You are comfortable working on your own and with others
• You are good at finding creative solutions and have an uplifting, win-win attitude
• You don’t mind grunt work and getting dirty

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BENEFITS & OPPORTUNITIES
• Work with AVI’s staff of who specialize in ecological systems and program design
• Help develop a new system at one of the nation’s premier urban Permaculture sites
• Collaborate with a team of other university interns
• Deepen your learning in a real-life setting
• Assist the 1-week Water Management Workshop, including the President of Appropedia.org

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COMMITMENT
The Mycology Coordinator position requires 15 hours per week minimum, and at least a three month commitment. You will need to have a laptop and be based in Asheville, NC. This is not a paid position, but funding may be available through your university and/or other sources. Course credit may be available through your university.

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APPLY
Please submit a CV/resume, a letter of interest, and two references to info@ashevillage.org.

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POSITION AVAILABLE: Ashevillage Institute’s Aquaponics Coordinator

This is a volunteer position with benefits for grad students and college seniors

“We are delivering a whole system, ground-up approach that addresses humanity’s most critical challenges at a neighborhood scale.” – Janell Kapoor, founder

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STARTS IN 2012 (Choice of 3, 6, or 12-month internship)
The Ashevillage Institute is looking for a top notch volunteer to fill our Aquaponics Coordinator position. This is an incredible opportunity to be part of one of the premier urban permaculuture sites in the country. You will be working with dedicated and knowledgeable on-site staff to design, develop, implement and test the performance of the finished system and to complete at least one full cycle for harvesting fish and plants.

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ASHEVILLAGE INSTITUTE
The Ashevillage Institute (AVI) is a nonprofit dedicated to sustainable solutions in action. AVI is based at a one-acre  property with integrated ecological systems that address humanity’s most pressing needs. We grow food and medicinal plants, capture and use rainwater, work with volunteers and interns, and offer tours and educational programs. Our goal is to inspire others to do the same on a home and neighborhood scale. Our site is residential and sits between downtown Asheville, NC and 60 acres of wooded parkland and trails. Highlights include:

• 18,000 gallon living rainwater catchment system with bio-myco remediation
• Two naturally renovated houses, one for guests and one for residents
• Aquaponic greenhouse with integrated chicken coop and shower
• Five recirculating aquaponic ponds, bogs, and catchment swales
• Beautiful and organic edible, medicinal, and flowered landscape
• Earthworks that maximize rainwater retention and utilization
• Bees, chickens, soldier fly larvae & mushroom production
• Outdoor kitchen with wood-fired cook stove & oven
• Natural buildings, renovations & mud art
• Woods with camping and meeting space
• Recycled urbanite patio

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RESPONSIBILITIES
• Research & development of an integrated aquaponics system that maximizes water and nutrient usage for the purpose of on-site water and food consumption
• Design and implement water treatment and filtration system to utilize storm water runoff
* Includes bio-remediation, filtration and sanitizing for potable water in outdoor kitchen, shower, and garden irrigation
• Design, build and implement aquatic garden in the existing greenhouse
• Determine nutrient and water usage required for both fish and plants to maintain a healthy, balanced environment
• Research and acquire edible aquatic flora and fauna (ie: tilapia, prawns, watercress, lotus)
* Note life/production cycles of each
* Determine production capacity (yield)
• Set up data logging system to track/record key flow and nutrient variables for analysis
• Create a detailed program with distinct tasks for maintenance and recording data
• Contribute to educational outreach via:
* Writing/editing articles, blogs and possibly videos
* Leading tours and assisting workshops
* Being available for interviews

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QUALIFICATIONS
• Pursuing a degree (Master’s or Doctorate program) in Aquaculture/Aquaponics
• Competence in basic carpentry and plumbing
• Ability to perform volumetric/mass flow calculations to assess system viability
• You have a deep passion for creating ecological solutions to today’s global challenges
• You have a refined eye for detail and a job well-done
• You are a good written and verbal communicator
• You are comfortable working on your own and with others
• You are good at finding creative solutions and have an uplifting, win-win attitude
• You enjoy working hard and getting your hands dirty

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OPPORTUNITIES
• Work with AVI’s staff of who specialize in ecological systems and program design
• Help develop the systems at one of the nation’s premier urban Permaculture sites
• Collaborate with a team of other university interns
• Deepen your learning in a real-life setting
• Assist instructors during the 1-week Water Management Workshop, including the President of  Appropedia.org

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COMMITMENT
The Aquaponics Coordinator position requires between 15-40 hours per week, depending on the length of your commitment. Applications are being accepted now. Admission is rolling. This is not a paid position, but funding may be available through your university and/or other sources. Course credit may be available through your university.

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APPLY
Please submit a CV/resume, a letter of interest, and two references to info@ashevillage.org.

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