Please email a cover letter, resumé, and the contact information for three references as a single PDF to [email protected] – include the name of the position in the subject line of your email. Applications may also be mailed to: Seed Savers Exchange | Attn: Human Resources | 3094 North Winn Rd. | Decorah, IA 52101.

Story Collecting and Celebration Intern

FLSA Status: Temporary, Non-exempt
Duration: Early June – August (12 weeks, 32-40 hours per week)
Reports to: Development Director
Compensation: $16/hour

Seed Savers Exchange is a non-profit organization based in Decorah, Iowa focused on conserving and promoting America’s culturally diverse but endangered garden and food crop heritage for future generations.

Primary Role:

The Story Collecting & Celebration Intern will play a key role in preparing for and supporting Seed Savers Exchange’s 50th-anniversary celebration on August 8–9, 2025. Their primary responsibilities will focus on collecting and documenting stories of seed stewardship, coordinating personal outreach to supporters, supporting visitor readiness efforts, and contributing to post-event archiving and communications.

Key Responsibilities:

Storytelling & Engagement: Personally invite supporters, collect oral histories from visitors and members, and draft narratives for print and digital use.
Event Support: Assist with pre-event communications, help plan logistics and signage, and manage storytelling activities during the August 8–9 celebration, and help with other events throughout the summer.
Archiving & Follow-Up: Transcribe and organize collected stories for long-term use; support post-event thank-you notes and communications.
Visitor Readiness: Help maintain welcoming, event-ready spaces at Heritage Farm and coordinate with staff across departments.

Skills & Qualifications:

Strong verbal and written communication skills
Interest in storytelling, oral history, or cultural documentation
Ability to connect authentically with diverse individuals and audiences
Strong organizational and time management skills
Collaborative mindset and ability to work across teams
Familiarity with digital tools for communications, interviews, or content organization is a plus
Interest in agriculture, seed saving, or public history is desirable

Physical Requirements:

Ability to move across the farm and participate in event setup
Willingness to engage with visitors in outdoor settings
Capacity to sit or stand for extended periods during interview transcriptions or outreach
Sit/stand at a computer/desk for long periods
Ability to lift medium-weight boxes of mailing supplies

Qualifications:

High school diploma or GED and office experience required.
Current enrollment in a college or university program.

Benefits:

Hourly wage: $16.00/hour
Experience working with a nationally recognized nonprofit in the field of cultural preservation and sustainable agriculture
Mentorship from experienced staff across development, communications, and preservation teams
Opportunity to build skills in storytelling, public engagement, and nonprofit event coordination
Contribution to a lasting archive of agricultural heritage
Paid Holidays and employee discount

Seed Savers Exchange is an equal opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to apply. Seed Savers Exchange does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, mental or physical disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or any other basis prohibited by law.