University of Michigan · 1 day ago
Indigenous Foodways Intern
Ann Arbor, MI
Internship
Onsite
Intern
Start in 2026 SpringThe University of Michigan is seeking an Indigenous Foodways Intern to collaborate with Indigenous community partners at Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum. This full-time summer position will involve preparation, planting, and care of the Indigenous Collaborative Garden, as well as engaging in the development and implementation of Indigenous foodways efforts.
E-LearningEducationHigher EducationUniversities
Responsibilities
This internship will support MBGNA and our Indigenous partners in co-creating co-liberatory futures through the advancement of Indigenous foodways in collaboration with individuals, groups, units, and organizations inside and outside of UM while developing skills in sustainable food production in conjunction with the UM Campus Farm team
Work collaboratively as part of a broader set of nested teams and objectives to build connections, programming, engagement, and impact around Indigenous foodways projects
Engage in program development and community organizing work with Indigenous partners and MBGNA to advance shared objectives
Plan and host with Curator, Indigenous Partners, Campus Farm Program Managers, the Indigenous Collaborative Garden (ICG) planting ceremony and harvest feast
Maintain precise records and documentation of work
Prepare ICG (and other possible sites as identified) for planting and provide weekly care for plants, including watering, weeding, trellising, as well as postseason clean up as guided by Indigenous collaborators with support from Campus Farm
Work as part of the Campus Farm student team on food growing tasks, including transplant seeding, planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, etc. of Campus Farm crops grown for campus focused on increasing knowledge, skills in sustainable food production over the course of the summer
Estimate of duties: ~60% Indigenous Food Ways, ~40% Campus Farm
Qualification
Required
Applicants must have one year of experience enrolled in a college or university by the internship start date. Recent college graduates who earned a degree in December 2025 or are planning to earn a degree by May 2026 are eligible to apply
Prior engagement or interest with social justice work and/or food sovereignty and/or Indigenous foodways
Ability and willingness to work in an inclusive and team-oriented way with diverse audiences, partner organizations, people, and programs
Applicants should expect physical and at times strenuous work, being outdoors in a wide range of weather conditions and the enjoyment of harvesting the physical and metaphorical fruits (and vegetables) of their labor
Must have a flexible schedule with occasional weekend and evening availability
Ability to be (re)trained to garden by cultural protocols
This position may require a valid driver's license and a motor vehicle record check in order to operate MBGNA vehicles
Availability to continue on part time through the harvest feast fall term 2026
Company
University of Michigan
The mission of the University of Michigan is to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving, and applying knowledge, art, and academic values, and in developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.
Founded in 1817
10001+ employees
H1B Sponsorship
University of Michigan has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
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Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (662)
2024 (594)
2023 (787)
2022 (473)
2021 (411)
2020 (324)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$359.75MKey Investors
Michigan Economic Development CorporationNational Institutes of HealthBreakthrough T1D
2025-07-17Grant· $1M
2025-06-07Grant· $1.17M
2025-04-23Grant
Leadership Team
Greg McGuire
Managing Director, Mcity
Robert Goodspeed
Chair, Urban and Regional Planning Program
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