The Garden Intern will work with the Promise Visioning Garden Manager and Promise Neighborhood staff to support the Visioning Garden site, grow fresh vegetables, distribute harvested produce to the local community, help design community events, and assist in summer programming held at the garden. The summer intern(s) are ambassadors for the local neighborhood and community garden efforts in Springfield. -- Assist with maintenance, management, upkeep, and care of the Community Garden site located at 1217 Linden Ave. This may include bed and path construction, mowing, weed eating, trimming, mulching, moving supplies, and similar physical labor activities to make the space beautiful and inviting to the neighborhood; -- Assist with planting, managing, and harvesting vegetables and herbs at the Garden to increase production of fresh foods to the local neighborhood; -- Assist in the recruitment and ongoing support of families who maintain garden beds at the site, which includes relationship building, coaching, support, and problem-solving; -- Assist with community events taking place at the Garden, including but not limited to: educational sessions for families learning how to grow their own food; summer camp activities for children; and “open houses” and family-building events (block party, cookout, etc.); -- Assist in distribution of produce grown from the Garden site, including hosting a summer food stand on a regular schedule, and participation in various community events; -- Assist in promotion, recruitment, public relations, and communication regarding the Garden and the Springfield Promise Neighborhood’s mission.

-- The enjoyment of being able to work with adults and children coming from many diverse backgrounds; -- A commitment to learning about community development, community organizing, social justice issues and neighborhood-based change; -- Proactive motivation, flexibility, independence, and acting as a positive role model are essential; -- Physical requirements: able to stand, sit, move, bend and twist frequently; lift and carry up to 25 pounds; occasionally ascend/descend a ladder; occasionally operate power tools; -- Experience in gardening, farming, or other agricultural background is appreciated but not required; -- Experience in providing educational programming or a background in teaching and working with youth is appreciated but not required; -- Must be willing to work in occasional inclement weather, including cold and rain.