Organization Profile/Position Overview
The Garden Program at the Franklin County Jail in Greenfield, Massachusetts offers incarcerated students support educationally, vocationally, and therapeutically. Unpaid interns assist the Garden Program (GP) Instructor with the operation of the program as well as class instruction. Classes take place both indoors and outdoors, and students participate voluntarily.
The program is seeking one or two unpaid interns for the summer or fall semester, preferably students whose course of study or professional interest has a focus on Student Centered Education, Garden/Farming Education, Sustainable Agriculture, or Education in Jails/Prisons.
Internship terms can be as follows:
- Summer: May-August, hours per week and length of internship flexible
- Fall: September-November, hours per week and length of internship flexible
Intern Responsibilities
The duties and tasks for this position include:
- attending hands-on gardening classes inside the jail in all weather conditions
- helping with class preparation, including filing and copying
- facilitating lessons or activities during gardening class
- helping the program instructor move materials in and out of class areas
- assisting students with basic garden tasks (planting, weeding, watering, harvesting)
- preparing weekly family shares for the Food-to-Families program
- Mentoring and supporting students engaging with the garden program
Learning Objectives
Interns will:
- become familiar with the operations, security, requirements, and structures of a garden program inside of a county jail
- gain skills as a student-centered educator
- gain skills as a farm and garden educator
- gain skills related to lesson-planning and implementation
Internship Benefits
- The intern will receive mentorship from the GP Instructor and the Education Coordinator.
- The intern will meet after every shift with the GP Instructor to debrief pedagogically and personally regarding self-care in this setting.
- The intern will be invited to at least one program development meeting, with the GP Instructor and can discuss ways to incorporate professional goals into the responsibilities of this internship.
Intern Requirements
- This internship does not require previous experience, however any experience with incarceration, detention, education, farming, gardening, herbalism or nutrition will be considered.
- The intern must be over 18 and be able to present a valid form of ID.
- We require that interns are able to talk in front of and direct groups of adult men and/or women.
- Interns will be expected to observe the dress code and security protocols of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
- Interns will be required to use a photocopier, google suite, and Microsoft Word.
- Interns will be expected to show up on time for predetermined shifts or contact the GP Instructor prior to missing a shift.
- Interns should be able to carry up to 30 lbs for up to five minutes.
- Interns should be able to accommodate summer heat, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Application Process
Applicants are required to submit a resume and a cover letter. In the cover letter, please outline how this internship opportunity will be of value to your course of study, and share relevant experience you have that will enable you to complete the requirements of this internship.
Applications should be emailed as an attachment to Caroline Bruno [email protected] and Jenny Abeles [email protected] for consideration. Further paperwork will be required after acceptance and FCSO in-service training will be provided.
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