Every year, TCAH hires a cohort of young adults to participate in a Green Teens Internship Program for 10 weeks in the summer and a Green Teens Workforce Program for 10 months throughout the changing seasons. The Green Teens programs are compensated farm-based work experiences, where youth apprentices receive intensive hands-on training in farm and market management. Green Teens assist with day-to-day farm work to help grow over 100 varieties of certified all-natural fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Program participants are also involved with plant and animal care, farmers’ markets, produce sales, and site maintenance. Each year, Green Teens help distribute roughly 20,000 pounds of produce in our community, including many food deserts. Throughout the growing season, there are also opportunities to engage in neighborhood outreach, attend field trips and workshops, lead volunteer groups, and carry out independent projects.
At the end of the summer, Green Teens are required to complete a capstone project to demonstrate key learnings from their internship experience. In the fall, all graduating Green Teens in the Workforce Program will have the opportunity to apply to stay on as hired part-time instructors after the summer season in one of our community or intergenerational learning programs.