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 Non-Profit Operations Management and Community Garden Intern will support all Growing
Gardens programs, with a focus on the community garden program, and will be a community
ambassador for the organization. This internship is fast paced and requires a great deal of hard work,
focus, and care. It is also deeply rewarding.
Operations and Community Garden Intern Duties
Online Registration
● Assist with Growing Gardens’ online registrations for all programs, including reassigning
community garden plots when needed
● Assist with program registration tracking, and follow up with participants for registration
payments and forms as needed
● Organize and distribute participant information for instructors and Community Garden
Leaders, this includes the monthly Community Garden Program Newsletter
Outreach
● Be an ambassador for Growing Gardens and positively engage with the community during
outreach events
● Communicate directly with Community Garden Leaders and community gardeners to ensure
smooth functioning of the Community Garden Program
● Support Community Garden Leaders in developing, planning, and implementing Community
Garden projects and volunteer events, educational offerings, and other programming
Event Planning and Execution
● Provide support for Farm Picnics as needed
● Solicit, collect, and organize product donations for annual auction, thank donors
General Operational Support
● Assist with overseeing the general logistics and administration of the Community Garden
Program
● Answer the office telephone and make follow up phone calls
● Receive and sort mail and process donations
● Help support admin needs of youth programming
● Provide additional administrative support as needed
Knowledge and Skills the Intern May Acquire:
● Exposure to the operations of a non-profit, community-based organization.
● Database organization and management
● Current marketing and social media practices and platforms
● Introduction to grant-writing and fundraising
● Networking in local community with press, agriculture and natural foods industries
● Conflict resolution, volunteer coordination and communication skills
● The ability to work in a dynamic, team environment
Structure of Internship
● Internship duration is May 22nd – August 30th, 2024 and includes $325 upon completion
● Intern position is 15 hours per week. *Note: hours may vary between weeks; however the
average number of hours per week will be 15 hours. Hours primarily take place during the
work week, however there is some required weekend work
● Intern will attend the internship orientation meeting
● Intern will be working closely with a mentor from GG staff who will oversee all daily activities
● Interns will have the opportunity to shadow Growing Gardens’ staff and attend staff
meetings to learn about the operation of the non-profit organization
Benefits of Interning with Growing Gardens
● Experience working on a diversified vegetable farm.
● Experience supporting a variety of non-profit programs
● 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.
● Your own weekly share ($20-$25 value) of fresh seasonal vegetables. each week from
the garden June-August as the season permits.
● 50% off all produce at the farmstand (June - October)
● 50% off all plants and seeds at Growing Gardens’ Plant Sale.
● Friendly environment with a committed, passionate community.
● Develop marketable leadership and management skills.
● Access to in-person and online courses taught by Growing Gardens staff.
● 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. In order to keep our small and mighty team healthy through the
season we are requiring that everyone participating in our internship program be fully
vaccinated against Covid-19. At this time, that means they will have received the primary
vaccination and the bivalent booster containing Omicron. Further details on this can be found
on the CDC website. *If you need an exception to this requirement, please speak with the hiring
manager.
Qualifications
We are looking for someone with great communications skills with experience in Excel, Word,
and the Google platform. Customer service experience is a plus but not required. Our staff and
youth enjoy their time together in the garden and office and we’d love for someone to join us
while we have fun and do good work. The Non-Profit Operations Intern must be responsible,
dedicated and organized. This experience is a great opportunity for someone interested in a job
in nonprofit administration and development, and/or community development.
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:
Applications due by April 1, 2024, position will remain open until filled.
Send a cover letter and resume to info@growinggardens.org with your name and “Summer Ops
and CG Intern Application” in the subject line. In your cover letter, please include:
- Information on relevant skills and experiences (for example, working in an office,
gardening, Microsoft office and Google programs, customer service, volunteer
management, and community development), and
- What you hope to gain from this internship