internships
Roots Rising is seeking two interns this summer!
Overview
Roots Rising empowers youth and builds community through food and farming. Our vision is to lift up teenagers as community changemakers and strengthen the local food system through the transformational power of meaningful work.
We have three main initiatives: our Pittsfield Farmers Market, our Youth Crews, and an upcoming Youth Farm. This internship will work closely with our Youth Crews. On our Youth Crews, we hire Pittsfield teens to work on farms, in food pantries and at our own farmers market. These Crews are more than just jobs. They’re an opportunity to engage in meaningful work, leaving youth feeling purposeful, capable and connected.
The Internship
Interns will work with Summer Farm Crew, helping to lead and be a mentor for our Crew of twelve teens. Interns will take a direct role in implementing the youth development components of our Crew, including facilitating check-in circles, games, and teaching workshops (based on skills and experience). Interns may also be responsible for sharing the story of Summer Farm Crew through photos and video. Interns will work alongside our Crew in the farm fields and food pantries, an amazing opportunity to forge close relationships with the teens and model a strong work ethic
The Logistics
The internship begins with one week of preparation work from June 24—June 28, Monday to Friday, hours TBD. Summer Farm Crew runs from July 1—August 2, 8:30am-4:30pm. A two weeks of wrap up work will take place from August 5—August 16, hours TBD, and can be completed remotely if needed. An additional two weeks of work is possible depending on funding.
The Impact
An internship with Roots Rising is transformational. As Rwick, our 2019 intern said, “Roots Rising gave me the chance to be my genuine self, meet the most inspiring mentors, and do meaningful work with local high schoolers. The conversations had and hard and work are difficult, but they'll leave you more hopeful about the world and your place in it. I could not recommend this internship more!”
And from 2023 summer interns Genevieve and Campbell:
"Roots Rising entwines the things most important to me, and those I believe to be the most powerful: food, labor, nature, and community. Roots Rising connects teens through physical work outside -- to each other, the land, small farms, and their community -- revealing their resilience, strength, and care." - Genevieve
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"Everyday at Roots Rising youth are of service to their community - and everyday, I came home having seen how that work allowed them to become leaders, to become more themselves than they were the day before." - Campbell
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Qualifications
We are looking for candidates who love working with teens and who are passionate about strengthening the local food system and empowering youth as changemakers. A sense of humor, a can-do spirit, and a willingness to roll up your sleeves and get dirty is a must.
To Apply
Send a resume and letter of interest to info@rootsrising.org. Hiring is contingent on the approval of funding from your college/university.
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Williams College Students
Funding is available through The Alumni Sponsored Internship Program or The Center for Environmental Studies. Please refer to those sites for their funding deadlines.
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