Growing Gardens’ mission is to enrich the lives of our community through sustainable urban agriculture. We envision people experiencing a direct and deep connection with plants, the land and each other. Growing Gardens unites the Boulder County community through urban agriculture projects, such as: The Cultiva Youth Project (Ages 12 – 18), The Children’s Peace Garden (CPG, Ages 3 – 11), Horticultural Therapy, Community Classes, The Goat Dairy, Growing Gardens Food Project, and the Community Gardens (General Public), and our Community Orchard.

The Environmental Education Intern is a vital part of the Growing Gardens team. The full season intern contributes to planning and teaching our dynamic farm-based programs. They participate in valuable training, gain incredible, hands-on experience, develop leadership and other essential skills for a career in environmental education. Other responsibilities include working on the farm and in the greenhouse and engaging the community in urban agriculture through gleaning, volunteer days and outreach.

Environmental Education Intern Duties

Teaching Children’s Peace Garden Programming

•  Teach the following topics to school age groups: plant life cycles, planting and garden care, insects, pollination, beekeeping, composting, harvesting, healthy eating, community, cycles and much more!
• Lead Field Trips, Classroom Visits, School Days Off and Summer Camps in the Children’s Peace Garden independently and with a co-teacher, with support and feedback from the Education staff.   
• Assistant instructor for our Goats and Gardens summer camp.
• Act as a responsible, positive role model for all youth participants.
• Assist Program Manager and other Education staff with administration tasks.

Event Participation and Community Outreach

The Environmental Education Intern will assist with marketing for programming and will educate and engage with community members during the following community outreach events:

• Growing Gardens’ Plant Sale, working two weekend days in May
• Annual Farm Gala fundraiser in August
• Community Harvest Festival in October
• Additional educational outreach events on occasional weekends throughout the year
• Assist with Wednesday evening gleaning at the Boulder County Farmers Market in May, August, and September

The Environmental Education Intern are responsible for other duties as assigned to engage with, and learn from, the Growing Gardens non-profit organization and community.

Knowledge and Skills the Intern Will Develop

Education:

• Teaching in a farm-based setting including effective teaching techniques, group management strategies, and age-appropriate teaching/learning.
• Strong background knowledge in the following topics: plant life cycles, planting and garden care, insects, pollination, beekeeping, composting, harvesting, healthy eating, community, and life cycles.
• Effective communication strategies.
• Working effectively in a dynamic team environment.
• Evaluating programs through formal processes.
• Intern will receive training on Advocacy vs. Inquiry, Ages & Stages, Learning Styles, Cultivating Community, Giving and Receiving feedback and so much more!

Leadership:

• Experience developing farm-based curriculum
• Cultivating a positive learning environment for all audiences including diverse populations.
• Contributing as facilitator and active member of a professional learning community.

Farming and Organic Agriculture:

• Basic small-scale organic vegetable production techniques including: Seeding, Transplanting, and Propagation; Farm work through the seasons; Vermicomposting; Honeybees; Insects and Pollination; Gleaning; Harvesting.

Structure of Internship

• Internship duration is March 2nd - October 29th, 2021.
• Intern’s hour commitment will vary by week and season, and can range anywhere from 30-50 hours a week.
• Hours primarily take place during weekdays, however there is some evening and weekend work required.
• Each Intern is supported by a Mentor and Supervisor.
• Mentor oversees daily activities and supports each Intern’s growth during weekly meetings throughout the duration of the contract.
• Supervisor is available upon request for check-ins and meetings and provides general oversight of Growing Gardens’ internship program.
• Interns may attend learning opportunities with Growing Gardens staff throughout the season.

A note about working with us in the time of Covid-19:

Like everyone around the globe our operations have been challenged by this pandemic. We are asking for a few commitments and understandings from our interns and staff during this time that are not typically a part of this experience. They are:

• We ask that interns maintain what we are calling a “Covid-Safe” lifestyle while they work on our team. During the growing season we have to operate in relatively close-quarters and our work is farm-based (not a lot of working remotely). We consider this a blessing generally, but it means we must be exemplars of the standards set by The Boulder County Public Health Department. These change frequently, however at the time of this posting Boulder County Public Health guidelines include:  Wearing a face mask at all times, limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people from no more than 2 households, limiting travel to only “essential” travel, and following all County guidelines regarding testing in the event of illness or contact with anyone experiencing Covid-19 symptoms.
• We understand that our interns often live in shared living spaces with other young professionals, extended family, and all sorts of other situations. We only ask that you behave as cautiously as possible and ask the same of those you live with.
• We will have daily screenings upon arriving at work including a questionnaire and a temperature check.
• Our work has had to shift at a moments’ notice based on Public Health guidelines and changing priorities for the organization. We ask that interns are understanding of changing schedules and planned work as is necessary.
• We have worked very hard to ensure that this is still a fantastic place to be, work, and learn. We are asking that you work hard at keeping our community safe.

Qualifications

Growing Gardens is seeking individuals who are excited to gain skills and experience teaching and learning in a community of motivated farm-based educators!

A successful applicant will demonstrate:

• Prior experience teaching youth in an outdoor environment
• Excitement to work outside in all weather conditions
• Ability to serve as a mature, healthy role model for youth
• Self-motivated team player with ability to meet deadlines, remain flexible and adjust to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently independent of supervision
• Responsibility, reliability, and organizational skills
• Interest in developing skills and knowledge in farm-based education. No prior gardening or farming experience required.
• The intern position is contingent upon the satisfactory results of a background check.
• Bilingual preferred, but not required

Benefits of Interning with Growing Gardens:

• Friendly, relaxed work environment!
• Hands-on career experience at a well-respected non-profit
• Development of marketable education and leadership skills
• Additional training offered through Growing Gardens classes, workshops, and staff career panels
• Access to a wide variety of organic seeds and plant starts andShared Community Garden plot
• Weekly organic vegetables from the garden as available - starting at the beginning of the summer and continuing until the end of the internship – This benefit has the value of $20-$35 per week depending on the productivity of the farm
• Easy access to public transportation from the garden
• Monthly stipend of $1,200 and 1 week paid vacation

Inclusion Statement
Growing Gardens is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all participants. Growing Gardens stands in solidarity with communities and individuals around the world who have experienced the devastation of racism, inequality, and violence. We are an organization that strives to be inclusive and to bring all members of the community together to create positive change. We acknowledge that we have room to grow to continue to diversify and serve our community better. As we work diligently to develop a plan for the future, we are taking action now to further educate our team of staff, have difficult conversations within our leadership team, and create an action plan to identify and fill our shortcomings. We will continue to stand and advocate for those who have faced inequality and will strive to continue to create a safe and inclusive community for all.

Anti-Discrimination Statement

Growing Gardens prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination or harassment and will take affirmative measures to ensure against them, especially if they are carried out on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, neurodiversity, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation or political affiliation. This policy applies to all employees or potential employees, volunteers, participants, members of the Growing Gardens Board of Directors, people who serve on Growing Gardens’ committees, and anyone attending Growing Gardens’ events.  This policy extends to all aspects of employment at Growing Gardens, including hiring, transfer, promotion, training, working conditions, policies, compensation, evaluation, discipline and termination.