Internship on the farm
Live and learn on a
regenerative organic farm
A residential farm internship near Lagos, Portugal, where you will learn about regenerative farming and gain valuable hands-on experience in a communal environment.
The next program begins on May 5, 2025.
Applications closed on February 15, 2025.
Organic Market Garden + Holistic Farm Care
A Comprehensive Farm Internship
The farm internship at Quinta Vale da Lama combines two themes to maximize your learning and training. All interns receive instruction and gain experience in both areas, coming away with comprehensive knowledge and skills to set the stage for future success.
All interns also receive a full Permaculture Design Course (PDC) over the term of the internship, to inform practical work on the ground.

Organic Market Gardening
This aspect of the internship focuses on small-scale organic growing. You will learn how to plan your garden layout, make plant choices, prepare beds, plant and harvest a variety of crops, and prepare for and manage harvesting using our established organic market garden. You will also learn how to sell in and manage markets.
Learning outcomes
— Garden designs, planning and layout,
— Tools, resources and other considerations,
— Propagating healthy seedlings,
— Bed preparation,
— Soil fertility and management,
— Harvesting, washing and preparing produce,
— Proper use of Bio Effectors,
— Irrigation strategies,
— Plant monitoring,
— Strategies for establishing and leveraging markets for your produce,
— How to grow and interact with markets, from direct supply of our restaurant to farmers’ markets and other suppliers.
* Please be advised that learning outcomes are dependent on what is needed on the farm. Quinta Vale da Lama will do its best to accommodate your learning desires, however, these learning outcomes are ultimately defined by the work which is needed to be done on the farm.

Holistic Farm
Care
Using our farm as an example, you will learn how various Permaculture and ecosystem regeneration systems interact with each other, such as agro-silvopastoral system, alley cropping, and food forests. You will also work with numerous types of compost and natural fertiliser systems.
Learning outcomes
— General animal care of chickens and donkeys
— Compost
— Food scrap management
— Vermiculture
— Humanure and dry compost toilets
— Animal compost
— Fertilizers and micro-organisms
— Planting nitrogen fixers
— Landscaping
— Food forest management and harvest
— Vineyard management
— General farm maintenance
*Please be advised that learning outcomes are dependent on what is needed on the farm. Quinta Vale da Lama will do its best to accommodate your learning desires, however, these learning outcomes are ultimately defined by the work which is needed to be done on the farm.
A busy but fulfilling experience
Workload and Schedule
Please be aware that we expect a lot from our interns. You will be an integral part of our team and we expect you to participate in the schedule with full commitment. We have had great success with interns who are mature, motivated, and able to work both individually and as part of a team.
You will be expected to participate an average of six hours each weekday (30 hours a week). This includes time spent working on the farm with your mentor and other farm staff, as well as flexible time focused on self-learning and project work.
There are also evening and occasional Saturday group activities. Sunday is always a day off.
Continuous Learning
This internship is much more than just time spent in the field
Besides gaining valuable hands on skills at Quinta Vale da Lama, you will also engage in ongoing learning through three other components.
Individual Study
Individual Study is any self-guided exercise or learning you undertake throughout the internship. You will investigate subjects related to your area of work and interests to further your development, and also support your project.
Group Activities
Group activities may include Permaculture lessons, holocracy training, educational afternoon activities, or movie nights, to name a few, and they take place throughout the internship. All interns are expected to attend these activities.
Projects
You will be expected to develop and implement a project before leaving the farm. This is a chance for you to integrate both your practical training and theoretical learning into a useful project for the farm. This project is designed and implemented by you, with your mentor’s support. It is an opportunity for you to leave a mark on the farm while creating an important addition to your personal portfolio. You will spend time working on your project during the last three months of the internship.
We offer shared accommodation and 3 vegetarian meals a day
Living on the farm
Interns live in Lama Village, the residential area of our farm where other members of our farm team also live. This eclectic community allows the opportunity to experience a wonderful sense of shared being, friendship, and support throughout the program. You will stay in one of our shared dormitories. Each dormitory is spacious and includes a shared bathroom. The dormitories can accommodate up to six participants from our various volunteer and internship programs. You will also have access to kitchen and laundry facilities.
As the interns are a group, there is some communal organization required. For example, interns share cooking responsibilities and a cooking schedule, and during the week are expected to have meals together. Each intern is also expected to participate in a cleaning schedule of common areas and be responsible for their personal living space. Bringing interns to live together presents challenges and growth opportunities for both the farm and the interns, and so we expect you to have a keen attitude to communal living.
All food provided during the 6-month farm intership at Quinta Vale da Lama is vegetarian. We do our best to use as much organic produce as possible, sourcing from our onsite organic market garden whenever we can.
Questions about accommodations or meals? Email us at info@valedalama.net.
Please note that pets are not allowed to be or stay with you during the internship.
An organic farm near Lagos, Portugal
Living and Learning Closer to Nature
Our 43-hectare farm in southwestern Portugal has a lot going on. From growing organic food, to regenerating soils, nourishing the community, and educating people about ecosystem restoration, there is something happening all year-round!
We are also an active member of Ecosystem Restoration Communities, a group of 60 global hubs pursuing diverse restoration initiatives rehabilitating degraded lands to create flourishing ecosystems. We share our regeneration work and knowledge freely with others locally and globally.
Quinta Vale da Lama is located in southwestern Portugal, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the mountains of the western Algarve.
Our Address: Quinta Vale da Lama, EM534, CP 325-N 8600-258 Odiáxere Lagos, PORTUGAL
GPS: 37°08’26.3″N 8°37’57.7″W
Testimonials
What other interns have said
Watch Kevin’s testimonial video
Application Process
Only detailed, complete applications with thorough answers will be reviewed. Be sure you have prepared and compiled all of the additional supporting documentation.
A complete application for the internship on the farm consists of the following:
CV or Resume
Your document should be saved as “last name_first name initial_CV” in .pdf, .doc, .jpg or .png format (Example: Smith_J_CV.pdf). File size must not exceed 5MB.
Essay questions
Please answer the following questions thoughtfully; we expect responses of between 250-500 words per question.
- What motivates you to participate in the Vale da Lama Internship? Why is now the right time for you to become an intern?
- What do you hope to accomplish in your time with Vale da Lama? Please comment on your goals in regards to work, study and communal living on the farm as well as your personal development goals.
- The internship experience can be challenging. Vale da Lama seeks interns able to handle the experience both through their independence to take initiative when lacking support as well as being able to strongly contribute to a team. Explain with concrete examples how you are ready for this experience and what qualities and strengths you possess to help advance the internship program of Vale da Lama.
- What is one of your weaknesses and how do you try to overcome it?
- What is your favorite quote and why is it meaningful to you?
Your document should be saved as “last name_first name initial_Essays” in .pdf, .doc, .jpg or .png format (Example: Smith_J_Essays.pdf). File size must not exceed 5MB.
Submit application form
We recommend submitting the application form only after you have prepared and compiled all of the additional supporting documentation.
The Internship team will then review your application to determine whether you will be invited to an interview.
All interviews will be conducted online or by phone, unless the candidate is currently located near the farm.
Please note: a €100 administration fee will be collected upon acceptance to the program. No payment is due at the time of application.
Applications are closed
The next program begins on May 5, 2025.
Applications closed on February 15, 2025.
Internship on the Farm
Live and learn on a regenerative organic farm6-month residential internship on the farm
This internship is provided by Quinta Vale da Lama, with the support of Mud Valley Institute and Novas Descobertas Association