OPEN POSITION: Director of the Betty and Jacob Friedman Holistic Garden / Lecturer in BioSciences -
Rice University invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of the Betty and Jacob Friedman Holistic Garden and Lecturer in BioSciences. We are seeking an entrepreneurial, operationally minded leader to direct the daily site operations, educational program, strategic vision, and community integration of this dynamic academic urban farm.
Follow this link to find out more! Then follow this link to APPLY!
Student Garden Worker Program
The Holistic Garden offers several paid opportunities for currently enrolled Rice undergraduate and graduate students to work in the Garden. Student Garden Workers are the primary stewards of the Garden and oversee a significant part of the care and maintenance of the Holistic Garden. Tasks include but are not limited to:
- Planting and crop production
- Harvesting produce
- Delivering and invoicing produce to Dining Services
- Irrigation, weeding, and other plot maintenance
- Maintaining the Garden’s appearance
- Pest scouting and management
- Composting
- Updating signage and developing new signage
- Poultry management
- Assisting with social media, tours, workshops, and special events
Garden Workers also have the opportunity to do special projects and have a voice in shaping the development of the Garden's public-facing programs.
Summer Internship in Sociohorticulture
The Rice Holistic Garden has a Summer Internship program. This program provides selected Rice students an opportunity to conduct hands-on research through a 10-week internship in sociohorticulture, a concept that refers to the social, environmental, and health benefits of gardening. Interns work 15-20 hours/week and can earn up to $2000 over the 10-week period. In addition to learning basic gardening and sustainable agriculture techniques, interns will visit local farms and community gardens; meet with community leaders and professionals working in food, renewable energy, and related industries; and propose and execute an independent research project. Open to graduates and undergraduates. We are especially seeking students with interests in ecology, environmental studies, nutrition and public health, urban planning, social applications of horticulture, food preparation, food education, science education, food policy and economics, food writing or photography, food business and entrepreneurship, or food and environmental justice.
Interested in our Summer 2026 Internship program? Click here for description and instructions.