The 691 acre Bayard Cutting Arboretum was the former home of William Bayard Cutting, now a New York State Park with a mission “to provide an oasis of beauty and quiet for the pleasure, rest and refreshment of those who delight in outdoor beauty; and to bring about a greater appreciation and understanding of the value and importance of informal planting.” Utilizing plans conceived by the noted landscape architectural firm of Frederick Law Olmstead, the arboretum development was begun in 1887. The site was originally wooded and many of the large oaks now seen were retained during the clearing of the land. With the cooperation of Charles Sprague Sargent, then director of Boston’s Arnold Arboretum, Mr. Cutting several years later began to plant his conifer collection. The current collection of fir, spruce, pine, cypress, hemlock, yew and other lesser known conifers is one of the most extensive to be found in the United States. This important collection contains trees which, regionally, are the largest of their species. Also found are extensive plantings of dwarf evergreens, rhododendron, azaleas, hollies and oaks. The Holly Walk was named by the Holly Society of America as “an official Holly Arboretum”, containing sixty species of Ilex and nearly 150 cultivated varieties. Oak Park, part of the property’s original Olmstead design, contains 32 species of oak trees. Perennial borders, woodland trails, coastal gardens, natural wetlands, forest, and a CSA Farm can also be found in the arboretum’s vast acreage.
Horticultural internships
- Number Available: 8
- Application Deadline: March 1, 2021
- Position: Full Time, Paid
- Duration: Summer, June 1 – August 27, 2021
Horticultural Interns will work in all areas of the gardens and participate in a wide range of horticultural experiences. Daily activities will involve working directly with the garden’s staff, assisting with planting, watering, weeding, pruning, mulching and overall daily garden maintenance. Typically, interns will rotate around the arboretum working in each of the collections: Holly Collection, Perennial Garden, Woodland Garden, CSA Farm, Westbrook Walled Garden, Conifer Garden, Special Projects, and General Grounds.
Interns will gain hands on experience, stressing plant identification, garden maintenance strategies and sound horticultural practices. Through fieldtrips, interns will visit other gardens, nurseries, and research facilities. Fieldtrips will emphasize the many different career options in horticulture, giving interns the opportunity to network with interns from other gardens and people within the professional community.
Interns will be encouraged to design and complete a season long project in their area of interest. Projects will be done under the advisement of a staff member.
Interns should be prepared to work outdoors in varied weather, including rain and heat. Horticultural internships are open to anyone interested in a career in horticulture, with preference given to those pursuing a degree or who have completed a degree in horticulture, or a related field.
Farm internship
- Number Available: 1
- Application Deadline: March 1, 2021
- Position: Full Time, Paid
- Duration: Summer, June 1 – August 27, 2021
The Bayard Cutting Arboretum CSA Farm is the only Community Supported Agriculture project in the New York State Parks system. The farm is located adjacent to the estate’s original barn, on land that was the former cow pasture of the Bayard Cutting estate. Currently, the farm has 2 ½ acres under cultivation, in addition to an herb garden and asparagus patch. We abide by NOFA-NY (Northeast Organic Farming Association) guidelines and consider ourselves organic. We also care for 150 laying hens. CSA Members enjoy weekly vegetables, herbs and flowers, that they pick up on-site, from May/June through October.
Farm interns will receive practical, hands-on experience in all areas of running a CSA. General duties will include seeding, planting, hand weeding, bed maintenance, watering, harvesting, organic pest control, bug scouting and working with chickens. Interns must be able to interact and engage with CSA members and park visitors. Interns are required to participate in Farm community events. However, due to COVID-19 we are unsure if we will host any Farm events in 2021.
We always give instructions and try to explain the “how” and “why” along the way. Interns will participate in every aspect of running our CSA, providing them with hands-on experience and a glimpse into the wonderful world of organic farming! Interns will learn by working side by side with our farm staff. There are opportunities for independent projects if the intern has a strong interest in seeing one to term. No previous farming experience is required, but preference given to applicants with prior experience. We are looking for motivated and dedicated individuals who are willing to work outside all season.
Application Guidelines for either internship: Send a cover letter and resume to:
Nelson W. Sterner, Executive Director
Bayard Cutting Arboretum
PO Box 907, Great River, New York 11739
Or via email to: nelson.sterner@parks.ny.gov and dana.fernandez@parks.ny.gov