The All You Need Fellowship Program

Who are we looking for?

All You Need is looking for up to 4 individuals seeking short term stays on the land (between 3wks-3mos). We seek those who are inspired by our mission, and are willing to live in rugged conditions. All You Need Institute is an education and retreat center located on 111 acres of diverse ecosystems, nestled into more land in DeSoto National Forest. We share our home with the endangered gopher tortoise and the rare and delicate lichen-covered xeric forest.

We have a four-fold mission of taking responsibility for our impact on the earth, teaching and exchanging knowledge on how, holding space for the earth’s wisdom and intent, and building networks of mutual aid with those of like mind, particularly in the Gulf South. We work to live in right relationship with the earth and look for people who are inspired by and share a deep respect for the land we steward. We admire individuals who are self-reliant, self-reflective, and courageous. We ask that anyone who seeks to join us in this way also intends to cultivate a mutually supportive community, where all are welcome to heal and be nurtured regardless of identity or background. As white people in this work we aim to be as conscious as possible to the ways colonialism and white supremacy lingers in our actions and accountable to our community when we cause harm. Those who wish to join our community should be ready to embrace these efforts.

Qualifications / Skills:

Respect for the earth, the land at The Burrow, and AYNI’s mission & values
Self-reliant and able to complete tasks with minimal supervision
Enjoys creative freedom and solving problems with limited or previously used resources
Able to keep track of their own tasks and hours
Possesses a flexible attitude in sync with nature’s “schedule”, as well as the dynamic needs of the organization
Possesses curiosity and a desire to learn new skills
Willing to live primitively out in nature with limited privacy and luxuries
Willing to connect with nature/the land on a regular basis
Willing to reduce use of resources and use toiletries compliant with our systems
Willing to work in a close community of up to 6 others
Willing to focus personal time toward reading and educating themselves about the social, environmental, and cultural impact of their actions
Willing to challenge their internal biases against marginalized groups and other living beings, and practice using their voice and privilege to advocate for others
Willing to grow through conflict with others

Common Tasks:

These are examples of common jobs/projects from the past. However, they change with the current needs of the land. We often have several options in a given week that interns are able to choose from based on interest or skill level.

Gardening / Composting / Water Management systems
Mushroom Growing and cultivation
Maintaining campground and retreat facilities
Managing invasive species
Carpentry- building or fixing facilities
Trail-clearing and brush management
Producing and utilizing bio-char
Assisting during retreats
Wild foraging, medicine making, preserving
Answering campers’ and retreat participants’ questions and fulfilling their requests
Outreach and coordinating bookings for rental facilities
Updates on social media, including videos, instagram, and blog posts
Prescribed burn assistance
Animal Care including Dogs, Chickens, and Beekeeping

Education, Experience and Age Requirements:

We believe in the value of a wide diversity of skills, interests, and work styles and do not feel there is a particular education level or experience one would need in order to qualify. We’d love to hear what you’re interested in exploring on the land and what gets you excited and passionate. Our minimum age is 18.

In addition to the All You Need Fellowship Program we are looking for collaborators of all kinds. Click here to learn about what we are imagining for collaborations.

Exchange & Benefits:

Past agreements have designated 12.5hrs/week of work in return for full access to the land, the yurt, camping amenities (tents, cots, fans, etc.) and some modern utilities (shower, electricity, water, wifi), and 12.5hrs/week work in exchange for participating in a meal plan, 3 meals a day. These hours are not set in stone, and can vary based on your skill set and commitment capacities. Our facilities are always under development as we build more spaces for people to live simply and comfortably, so check in when you apply about what’s available. We also have options for those who are already living in their vehicles, converted vans, mobile homes, buses, etc. Be prepared to live a rugged and flexible lifestyle.

Those completing a fellowship on the land become part of a small community which can range in size between 3-7. In addition to work hours, we ask individuals staying on the land to participate in this community. We hold weekly meetings where community members are invited to address concerns and reflect with one another, as well as practice communication skills. We also request in our agreements that individuals engage in interior work during their time on the land, taking whatever form is most nourishing for the individual. AYNI and interns will collaborate on and sign a simple agreement outlining the details of the exchange after discussing these points.

Work study participants are permitted, whenever possible, to attend AYNI events like plant walks, dream circles, workshops, and collaborations for free. Work-study participants will receive hands-on experience and instruction about the projects they assist on, choosing from the list above. Participants will also receive the opportunity to explore up to 200 acres of sandhills, creek bottoms, pine savannas, and other ecosystems, receive discounts on facility rentals, and can host guests on the land. Kayaks are also available for nearby river trips. Reach out if you have any other ways you’d like to receive from the time you invest with us.

TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter/intro email explaining why you are interested in this program and why you feel it’s a good fit for you now to info@allyouneedinstitute.com

You’ll be informed via email what our current space availability is like and how to proceed further. We accept applications on a rolling basis and are happy to schedule stays months in advance!

Collaborators

All You Need Institute is Seeking Collaborators

All You Need is growing and we seek collaborators. Our primary qualification is that you desire to live and work and in “right relationship” with the earth, and commit to the journey that unfolds when we seek to understand what that means in late-stage capitalism. We embrace transparency, creativity and open-mindedness in our collaborations. We appreciate those who are prepared to talk frankly about taboo subjects like money or power. We know that many people hold a dream of deepening their relationship to the land and to nature through changing their work, so if this is you—we want to connect. Send us an email at info@allyouneedinstitute.com and let us know what you’ve been visioning and what your interests are!

We have identified a variety of roles and/or areas of expertise that we think could be a great fit on the land or within the organization at this time:

Food Production Manager: Could incl., gardening, nursery, mushroom growing, herbal med maker, manage cows/goats/chickens etc, catering for events and to visitors

Land Mgmt: managing trails/fire lanes, prescribed burn assistance, integrating livestock for prescribed grazing, trapping and hunting, forestry and timber management, research and data collection, ecological restoration, securing grants for this work

Adventure/Nature Trip Coordinator: renting out kayaks and bikes, camping trips, camping gear, giving rides to put-in, or full tours for kayak, hiking, and biking trips

Event Coordinators/Community Outreach: marketing & booking events at the burrow, cultivate values-focused events that build networks of mutual aid and solidarity, community rep

If you have any of these skills and/or you already have a vision of how you would like to utilize your resources with the land to create more abundance while maintaining reciprocity and respect, email info@allyouneedinstitute.com and let us know what you’re thinking.

We are currently prepared to offer a stipend and/or invest into the opportunities below if there’s a good fit. Just get in touch and let us know what your availability is by emailing info@allyouneedinstitute.com

Administrative Partner

We are in need of an administrative partner and assistant to help us as we grow into a new stage of our organization. Individuals with experience administering retreat centers, land-based projects, collectives, etc, are especially encouraged to apply.

The right person will need to be comfortable in a unique workplace and the inherently personal nature of the work environment. You will be working directly with Jordan and Kezia, in a setting where you would be invited to assist us in setting priorities, making decisions about our public communications, and determining how to best uphold and administer our stated values and programing goals. Ideally, you’re a self-starter who’s excited about our mission, ready to keep us on our toes, and can maintain productivity in a flexible work environment.

Tasks Include:

Project prioritization and management
Updating website and Social Media accounts
Maintaining communication with members and participants
Attends and/or facilitates regular administrative meetings
Manages/updates institutional documents, policies, and public communications
Calendar management, Short – Long term planning
Budget planning and project management

Ideal Skills / Capacities:

Able to live on site//maintain regular relationship with the site
Flexible & precise
Stellar communication skills
Desire to explore long-term investment in the project
Connection to Gulf South region a plus
Understands permaculture, ecology, and related fields a plus
Trauma informed and understands varied spiritual and radical healing processes a plus
Experience challenging white supremacy, capitalism, and colonialism

Construction and Building

We are looking to fill positions in the realm of sustainable, permacultural, and alternative construction, as well as general maintenance. This could take the form of:

A fellow with basic skills and a willingness to learn
An experienced, project based contractor
A business partner to expand our offerings as an institution

You must have building skills and proficiency in a wide range of tools. You must be well organized, keep track of tools/materials, and maintain a tidy work area by the end of each day. Understanding of concepts such as moisture control, air flow, heat transfer and storage, wind resistance, load bearing, energy efficiency, water management, site assessment, “waste” management, and alternative materials and energy are a plus – though most of these are ideally handled by an architect. Basic understanding of architecture and civil engineering are a plus. The ability to read plans and to improvise, and experience with a variety of building methods, particularly traditional and ecologically sound ones, are necessary for paid work.

The ability to teach and showcase our work is an opportunity to earn income, as The All You Need Institute is primarily an education and retreat center. Videography skills could also help to expand our online offerings.

Sawmill experience is a major plus. We live on 111 acres of predominantly loblolly pine forest. Over the years I intend to remove all of them and replant with longleaf pine. For the right person this could be a business opportunity. Once our site becomes an ideal showcase of sustainable living, we imagine a separate business entity that offers contracting services for people wanting to live a similar lifestyle.

attn: All You Need is Looking For Fellows, Collaborators, & Partners!