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, Growing Gardens Food Project, and the Community Gardens (General Public), and our Community Orchard.
Children’s Peace Garden programs teach children environmental stewardship, nutrition education, respect for diversity, and creative self-expression to nurture a healthy, happy and well-balanced child. 8,000 children from ages 3-11 participate in CPG programming each year. Environmental Education Interns teach a wide variety of engaging hands-on activities about organic gardening practices, the garden as a source of food, the importance of pollinators and visiting our honeybee hives, building healthy soil by exploring our vermicomposting system, and more. Interns are given responsibility to teach independently as well as with a team, gaining valuable experience for future teaching in Environmental Education.
Environmental Education Internship
Full Season 2022
March 1st – October 28th
Reports to: Education Program Manager
Job Status: Full Season Intern
Compensation: $2,250 stipend/month
Location: Boulder, CO
How to apply: Follow this link to fill out an online application
Check out our Internship Digital Booklet!
Growing Gardens’ mission is to cultivate community through sustainable urban agriculture. Our programs empower people of all ages, income levels, and abilities by connecting them with their local food system, each other, and the environment.
Our organization values the diverse skills and individuals that come together to create a thriving community and workplace. We are committed to the work we do, and bring our best selves each day, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously, have fun, and enjoy the process of doing good in our community. We take care of each other and put people at the center of everything we do.
The Full Season 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-instructor, with support and feedback from the Education staff.
Co-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
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.
Animal husbandry through working weekly shifts at the goat dairy.
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.
Structure of Internship
Internship duration is March 1st - October 28th, 2022.
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 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.
Benefits of Interning with Growing Gardens:
Stipend of $2,250 will be paid via check at the end of each month. Note: we do not have housing provided as part of this internship. This stipend is meant to offset the cost of housing and basic needs in Boulder County.
Intern receives 1 week paid vacation.
Your own weekly share ($20-$35 value) of fresh seasonal vegetables. each week from the garden June-October as the season permits.
Experience working on a diversified vegetable farm.
Hands-on experience making a positive impact in the lives of children, teens, and adults.
Community connections and networking within the burgeoning local food movement.
Friendly environment with a committed, passionate community.
Develop marketable leadership and management skills.
Classroom training offered through Growing Gardens classes.
Access to a wide variety of organic seeds and plant starts.
All Growing Gardens internships qualify for University credit if desired.
Office is centrally located and easily accessed via public transportation.
A note about working here in the time of Covid-19:
Like everyone around the globe our operations have been challenged by this pandemic. 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.
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!
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.
To apply:
Follow this link for our online application. If the link does not work, copy the url code below into your web browser.
https://growinggardens.campintouch.com/ui/forms/application/staff/App
Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until January 16, 2022. We recommend getting your application in as soon as possible for full consideration. Position will remain open until filled.
If you have any questions, please contact
Megan Reynoso at mreynoso @growinggardens.org
