an Education Intern and a Media Intern.

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

The Education and Media Intern will work with Summer Farm Crew. They will help lead and be a mentor for our Crew of twelve teens. The Education Intern 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). The Media Intern will be responsible for sharing the story of Summer Farm Crew through photos and video. Both 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 two weeks of preparation work from June 20th—July 2nd, Monday to Friday, hours TBD. Summer Farm Crew runs from July 5th—August 6th, 8:30am-4:30pm. A final week of wrap up work will take place from August 9th—August 13th, 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 Education 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!”

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 [email protected]. Hiring is contingent on the approval of funding from your college/university.

Williams College Students

Funding is available through The Alumni Sponsored Internship Program or the The Center for Environmental Studies. Please refer to those sites for their funding deadlines.