Community Garden & Orchards Intern - Summer 2027

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW 

Food Well Alliance (FWA) is a collaborative network of local leaders working together to build equitable and thriving community gardens, urban farms, and orchards across metro Atlanta. FWA’s mission is to provide resources and support to local growers to connect and build healthier communities. Our vision is an Atlanta that is locally grown and community connected.

FWA was founded in 2015 when 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. Today, we support more than 500 gardens, farms and orchards in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Clayton counties. We advance our mission in three key ways:

  1. Grower Resources. We provide essential tools for success. That can be anything from technical assistance to training, tractor support, grants, labor teams, volunteers, compost, seedlings, and more.

  2. Local Food System Planning - Each year, we work with the Atlanta Regional Commission, to bring together policymakers, residents, growers, and community leaders to plan for the future of locally grown food in selected cities.

  3. Community Education – We offer learning experiences for all ages and skill levels—from outdoor events to volunteer opportunities, and workshops on topics like soil health, gardening and composting.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Food Well Alliance is seeking a Community Gardens Intern for the 2027 summer to support our organization's community garden programs. The Community Garden Intern, reporting to the Sr. Manager of Community Gardens & Orchards, will immerse themself in the local food and urban agriculture movement and play a key role in leading two volunteer shifts per week. The Community Garden Intern will also play a key role in supporting the Community Orchard Project.

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 in support of Plant a Row for the Hungry;

  • Learn and apply safe field food handling techniques;

  • Wash, pack, weigh harvest;

  • Distribute and report to 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 past orchard installations, including light maintenance;

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

  • Assist with educational workshops as assigned;

  • Create digital site maps of orchards planted in the last 12 months.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Availability for the 2027 summer, preferred time frame is June 7-Aug 13, with optional extension;

  • Ability to work 35-40 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 & casual, protective and weather-appropriate clothes in the garden;

  • Reliable transportation to work.

COMPENSATION

Compensation for this position is $20/hour 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 use this form to submit your application for the Community Garden & Orchard Internship - Summer 2027 position. Applications are due by January 1, 2027, at 5 pm. All applicants will be notified of their application status no later than January 30, 2027. Cover letters should be addressed to the attention of Fred Conrad, Senior Manager of Community Gardens & Orchards.

To complete the form, you will need to log into your Google account. If you don’t have a Google account or are unable to submit your application via the form, please email jobs@foodwellalliance.org for assistance and include "CG Intern_Last Name" in the email subject line.