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Internship/Apprenticeship – Abundance Farm

Abundance Farm is a Jewish food justice farm and outdoor classroom located in Northampton, Massachusetts. Abundance Farm is a unique collaboration at Congregation B’nai Israel with the Northampton Survival Center and Lander-Grinspoon Academy to support local food justice efforts and to create a unique, outdoor learning environment. The Farm includes a mixed fruit orchard, an educational garden, and a vegetable u-pick area for Survival Center clients and all community members. Abundance Farm is a beautiful urban space where people of all ages, faiths, and backgrounds are drawn for nourishment, community, and learning.

This summer Abundance Farm will be offering two, 4 week programs for incoming 9th-12th graders (the Apprenticeship is also open to students entering college). The program will run 3 half-days each week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday), with Session One beginning on Monday, July 3rd and ending on Friday, July 28th, and Session Two beginning on July 31st and ending on Friday, August 25th.   Apprentices from both sessions are also required to attend an additional training session on Wednesday, June 28th and Thursday June 29th from 1:00 – 5:00 and on Friday, June 30th from 1:00- 9:00.

Our “internship track,” is open to any incoming 9th-12th graders.  The internship offers an introduction to farming, food justice, and community building.  Interns will be introduced to many of the skills it takes to run a one acre urban farm and will also learn about the systems and structures that situate this farm within the larger food system. Interns will also practice self reflection and community building through games, workshops on identity and justice, and communication development.

This summer we are also offering an “apprenticeship track,” for teens who have already completed the internship during a prior summer and want to further deepen their farming and food justice education and develop leadership skills.  The apprenticeship offers the opportunity for Shefa alumni to build off of the farm skills they have learned in previous summers and practice teaching these skills to peers and community members.  Apprentices will also be given training and opportunities to lead community building activities such as games, reflection times, and celebrations.  Apprentices will receive training, support, and feedback as they develop as leaders throughout the session.

While Abundance Farm is a Jewish community project, this program is open to people of all faiths, beliefs and backgrounds.  We will be exploring farming, food justice, and community building through a Jewish lens, and we will also be exploring these topics through other lenses and other identities.

Both the internship and apprenticeship positions require an application and an interview.  Space is limited for both positions.

Internship and Apprenticeship Activities will include:

Farm Work

  • Farm work such as seeding, planting, plant care, harvesting, and compost production;
  • Maintaining, designing and caring for the fruit tree orchard;
  • Hands-on learning about the diversity and history of small scale, sustainable farming;
  • Cultivating a relationship between the Northampton Survival Center  and Abundance Farm through the pick-your-own garden;
  • Organizing and leading community events in the garden;

Food Systems Exploration

  • Situating and analyzing Abundance Farm’s efforts and contributions within the larger Northampton food shed;
  • Regular field trips and exchanges with other local farms and food projects in the region;
  • Learning about and engaging with national and global efforts to fight corporate power and build solidarity between local and sustainable food movements;

Personal Growth and Community Building

  • Developing personal and community practices in reflection, awareness, and growth ;
  • Exploring our own social identities and how they relate and intersect with our food shed;
  • Developing leadership skills and exploring our capacity to create change within our own communities.

Required Qualifications:

  • This is a “get your hands dirty” internship!  We will be doing hard work on hot summer days. Farm work is physically challenging (and rewarding!)  Interns and apprentices should arrive each day with motivation and energy – ready to jump into each day’s work.
  • Interns and Apprentices should be interested and excited to learn about both the nitty gritty (which weeds to pull up) and the big picture (global food movements and food justice).
  • Interns and Apprentices should have the ability to stay focused, complete tasks, and work both independently and in groups.
  • This program is designed for students entering grades 9 through 12.
  • We ask for a full commitment by interns and apprentices to the entire 4 week session for which you are applying.  You may apply to both sessions. 
  • Please note which session you are able to attend and any scheduling conflicts that might come up.  Preference will be given to applicants who can attend the entirety of a 4 week session. 

Intern Hours:

  • ~13.5 hours per week, Session One: July 3rd- July 28th, Session Two: July 31st- August 25th
  • Monday morning, 8:30-1:00  farm work and workshops at Abundance Farm
  • Wednesday morning, 8:30-1 :00 farm work and visiting local food and farming projects in our community
  • Friday morning, 8:30-1 :00 farm work and facilitating a drop-in volunteer event and assisting pick-your-own at Abundance Farm

Apprentice Hours:

  • ~18 hours per week, Session One: July 3rd- July 28th, Session Two: July 31st- August 25th
  • Initial Apprentice Training, Wednesday, June 28th and Thursday June 29th from 1:00 – 5:00 and on Friday, June 30th from 1:00- 9:00
  • Monday morning, 8:00-1 :00 participating and opportunities facilitating farm work and workshops at Abundance Farm
  • Wednesday full day, 8:00-4:00 farm work and visiting local food and farming efforts in our community in the morning, and leadership training and check-ins in the afternoon
  • Friday morning, 8:00-1:00 farm work and facilitating a work party and pick-your-own day at Abundance Farm

Stipend:

  • Interns will earn a stipend of $200 per session.  $100 after two weeks, and $100 upon completion.
  • Apprentices will earn a stipend of $300 per session.  $150 after two weeks, and $150 upon completion.

To Apply:  Complete this online form.

Shefa Teen Internship Application

Shefa Teen Apprenticeship Application

Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis- space is limited so it is to your advantage to apply early!  We look forward to hearing from you and will follow up with next steps!

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