2024 Community Garden Intern

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Food Well Alliance (FWA) is a collaborative network of local leaders working together to build thriving community gardens and urban farms across metro Atlanta. Our mission is to provide resources and support to local growers to connect and build healthier communities. Our vision is for an equitable, local food ecosystem in which everyone can participate and benefit.

In 2015, Jim Kennedy, chair of Cox Enterprises, and Bill Bolling, founder of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, had an idea to build healthier communities across metro Atlanta by connecting and supporting members of our local food movement. FWA exists to bring this vision to live. Today, we support more than 300 community gardens, urban farms and orchards in  Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Clayton counties.

FWA accomplishes its work through two primary program areas:

  • Resource Center - We provide centralized resources to build a supportive ecosystem of thriving community gardens and urban farms. We accomplish this work through 5 areas of support: Knowledge (e.g. trainings and workshops), Volunteer and Labor Support, Compost Tools & Equipment, and Capacity Building Grants (for urban farms, community gardens, and community food organizations).

  • Policy & Planning - We bring local government leaders together with community and local food leaders to develop plans that bring urban agriculture into city planning processes similar to a housing or transportation plan. We accomplish this work primarily through our City Agriculture Planning, in partnership with the Atlanta Regional Commission. We are currently working with the cities of East Point, Alpharetta and Jonesboro.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Food Well Alliance is seeking a Community Garden Intern for the 2024 summer season to support our organization’s Community Garden Program. The Community Garden Intern, reporting to the Volunteer Coordinator, will be immersed in Atlanta's local food and urban agriculture movement. They will play a key role in supporting Food Well's Orchard Project and leading volunteer workdays at our Tapestry donation garden.

Additionally, they will learn diverse food production techniques and distribution models, become acquainted with the operating structure of small nonprofits, and develop data collection skills. Ideal candidates for this role should be hands-on, self-directed, and a good team player.

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Harvest and distribute fresh nutritious food to people in need

  • Learn and apply safe field food handling techniques

  • Wash, pack, weigh harvest

  • Distribute through partner agencies

  • Function as Community Garden Volunteer Team Leader;

  • Perform administrative functions of volunteer administrator;

  • Instruct and lead volunteer teams at urban garden sites;

  • Promote proficient communication amongst the team / volunteers;

  • Support the Community Orchard Project

  • Site visits to 2022 and 2023 orchard installations, including light maintenance

  • Research and collect data on legacy orchards planted over the past ten years

  • Assist with educational workshops as assigned

  • Support our collaborative work with Park Pride Community Garden

REQUIREMENTS

  • Availability for the 2024 summer, preferred time frame is June 3-July 26, with optional extension

  • Ability to work 35 hours per week with availability Mon-Fri, with some exceptions

  • Ability to work indoors and outdoors, as assigned

  • Appropriate dress which includes business casual in the office and at events and protective, weather-appropriate clothes in the garden

  • Reliable transportation to work. Public transportation in Atlanta is challenging, but available

COMPENSATION

This position offers a $600 per week living stipend, paid bi-weekly with an optional mileage reimbursement.

DIVERSE CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Food Well Alliance is an equal opportunity employer. We are a community that is proud to represent different racial, socio-economic, gender, and other identities. Our diversity as a community is our strength, driving our ability to be empathetic, visionary, and effective leaders in the local food movement and our city.

HOW TO APPLY

Please email your letter of interest and resume to gardens@foodwellalliance.org to the attention of Flannery Pearson-Clarke, Volunteer Coordinator, by February 9 at 5 pm. Include “CG Intern_Last Name” in the email subject line.