Internships

Internship Opportunities

Gateway Greening values seasonal internships and can work with you to make the experience suit your academic needs.  Internship opportunities include:

• Community Garden
• City Seeds Employment Training
• Community Education
• Early Childhood Education
• Hoop House (spring semester only)
• Produce Distribution
• Therapeutic Horticulture
• Volunteer Development

Steps to Apply: Interested candidates should review the linked internship position descriptions, identify particular positions of interest and send a resume and cover letter stating position preferences and any specific projects or goals they would like to achieve to the contact below.  Please note that all internships are unpaid, and position availability may vary.

For information about internship opportunities, please contact Hannah Reinhart, Community Development Coordinator, at 314-588-9600 ext. 104.

Community Garden Internship

About this Position

This internship will provide hands-on experience in the support of a new and existing community gardens and education.  The position requires planning skills, creativity as well as an openness to acquiring new skills. Ideal candidates must be flexible, resourceful and willing to perform hard physical labor.  You will learn what’s involved with getting a new community gardens up and running, what it takes to make a community garden sustainable in the long term, and have the opportunity to learn about a wide range of gardening topics that include, vegetable gardening, composting, greenhouse propagation, or urban chicken keeping. 

Internship Duties

• Assist New Community Gardening Groups
• Attend planning meetings with various community groups
• Help coordinate outreach efforts
• Help plan project timeline and create a budget

• Garden Awards and Installation
• Assist with sourcing award items
• Solve situational problems . . . things don't always go as planned
• Operate garden equipment and other construction tools
• Coordinate groups and individuals to accomplish tasks

• General Community Garden Assistance
• Conduct annual site visits with Community Gardens
• Coordinate with Community Garden Staff
• Assist with 2012 orientation sessions for all new gardeners

• Event Planning
• Great Perennial Divide
• Tour de Plants
• Harvest Fair

Desired Skills & Resources Required

We are looking for someone who enjoys working with all types of people and who has solid organization skills.  The intern should be able to conduct themselves in a mature, responsible, professional manner when representing Gateway Greening in the community.  You will need a vehicle and a cell phone for this position as it involves frequent trips to garden sites. It is preferable if the intern comes with a laptop as well.

Structure of Internship

• Timeline
• Spring: Mid January - Mid May
• Summer: Mid May - August
• Fall: September - Mid December
• Hours/week: 20 hours per week (hours may vary per week)
• Internship duration is approximately 15 - 17 weeks depending on the season
• Each intern will attend a mandatory orientation for all GGI interns.
• Intern will be working primarily with GGI’s Community Garden Coordinator and additional staff when necessary.
• Interns will meet formally with GGI supervisor every other week for the duration of the internship and more often as necessary.
• Interns will report at 2 staff meetings
• Interns will have the opportunity to shadow additional GGI staff, if relevant to their Learning Objectives

Benefits of Interning with Gateway Greening

• Hands-on experience with development of new community gardens and sustaining relationships with existing community gardens
• Learn what’s involved at all stages of opening a new community garden
• Opportunities to gain experience in gardening, composting, greenhouse management and urban poultry keeping
• Friendly, relaxed non-profit environment
• Good experience; develops marketable skills.

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City Seeds Employment Training Internship

About this Position

The City Seeds Employment program or Veterans Workforce Investment Program (VWIP) prepares St. Patrick Center clients for local St. Louis jobs in landscaping, nurseries, gardening retailers and other green-care jobs. Annually, there are three, ten week sessions featuring intensive on the job training in green horticulture, working with Gateway Greening and the City Seeds Urban Farm in St. Louis.

The Gateway Greening / City Seeds Horticulture & Landscaping training includes presentations from industry and trade association experts, a fully functional urban farm and landscaping laboratory, and 180 hours of on the job training. Pre and post tests, a 175 page manual, homework assignments and field competencies all help individuals absorb the material. Field trips to Forest Park, the Missouri Botanical Garden and employer work sites all contribute to a well-rounded experience to prepare participants for entry-level jobs in multiple sectors of the green industry

Internship Duties

• Assist the City Seeds Farm Manager in all aspects of crop production
• Seeding, transplanting, thinning, watering, harvesting, integrated pest management, produce packaging, pruning, etc.

• Assist the Urban Farm Job Training Instructor in all aspects of the horticulture curriculum and training
• Preparing teaching materials, gathering plant material, leading demonstrations and workgroups, working with ornamentals, mowing, etc.

• Help maintain the City Seeds Urban Farm
• Mowing, watering, weeding building beds, mulching, pruning, irrigation repair, shed organization, etc.

• Assist in managing clients, volunteers and visitors

• Assist in City Seeds events, field trips, guest speaking opportunities, demonstrations and tours

 Knowledge and Skills this Intern May Acquire

• Knowledge of landscaping and horticulture
• Knowledge of fruit & vegetable food production
• Volunteer management skills
• Experience with diverse clientele and social services
• Knowledge of local food systems
• Knowledge of the Green Industry

 Desired Skills & Resources Required

• Ability to use personal vehicle and cell phone required
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather
• Ability to do physically demanding work and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Willingness to work among diverse populations and environments
• Experience with horticulture or vegetable production desired
• Strong organizational skills and ability to follow through on tasks
• Ability to work independently but communicate as needed for guidance and clarification
• Willingness to share resources with fellow staff and interns

Structure of Internship

• Timeline:  3, 10 week sessions available from April to mid-June, June to mid-Aug., August – Oct.
• Hours/week: 15 hrs/week (M/W/F mornings, 7:30-12:00noon and occasional additional hours)
• Intern will be supervised by City Seeds Farm Manager and Urban Agriculture Manager
• Orientation meeting with intern supervisor, GGI staff and fellow interns
• Opportunity to shadow staff at volunteer orientations and general program activities
• Learning Objectives Contract:  Developed by second week of internship to include educational objectives, learning activities and skill development
• Evaluation: A midpoint evaluation and end-of-internship evaluation will include intern self-evaluation and supervisor evaluation.

Benefits of Interning with Gateway Greening

• Practical knowledge in crop production and ornamental care
• Hands-on experience making a positive impact in the lives of a diverse population
• Building relationships with community development and agricultural professionals
• Access to free, fresh local produce

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Community Education Internship

Internship Duties

Education and Marketing

• Create activities for and publicize youth field trips to Bell Garden and City Seeds Farm

• Assist in creating classroom workshops and lessons from existing curricula and resources
• Lead four one-time classroom workshops and lessons

• Assist in promotion, preparation, and implementation of garden workshops
• Teach one workshop for community gardeners at Bell Garden

School and Community Outreach

• Lead volunteer groups in assisting in upkeep of Bell Garden

• Table at community, school, and youth outreach events to promote GGI services and educational opportunities
• Assist in the development of marketing materials promoting GGI services and opportunities

• Implementing and assisting in youth entrepreneurial opportunities for school and youth gardens

Knowledge and Skills this Intern May Acquire

• Teaching Skills
• Public speaking and communication skills
• Educational activity planning
• Plant care and general horticulture
• Non-profit marketing

 Desired Skills & Resources Required

• Enjoys working with youth K-12^th grade
• Desire to learn gardening and educational skills
• Comfortable speaking with a diverse range of people
• Ability to adapt educational activities to the needs of each class and group
• Comfortable working in outdoor situations under various weather conditions
• Organized and able to handle and prioritize multiple tasks
• Must be able to provide vehicle for transportation and to use personal cell phone
• May be required to provide personal laptop for office use

 Structure of Internship

• Timeline: February to May; August to November
• 20 hours per week
• Percent time spent:
• Bell Garden 20%
• Field trips 10%
• Youth and community education 20%
• Tabling and outreach 20%
• Planning, research, and marketing 30%
• Interns will receive Gateway Greening Orientation
• Interns will participate in weekly program meeting and bi-weekly all staff meeting
• Midterm assessment and final evaluation will be completed with supervisor
  

Benefits of Interning with Gateway Greening

• Make a positive impact on the lives of youth
• Develop marketable skills in public speaking, education, and community outreach
• Network with school and community gardens
• Learn about gardening and urban farming operations in the St. Louis area

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Early Childhood Education Internship

Internship Duties

Garden Education

• Assist in creating garden based learning activities for early childhood youth
• Research hands-on gardening and nutrition activities
• Lead weekly garden based activities at 5-15 day care sites

 Garden Visits

• Answer gardening questions or refer questions to Gateway Greening staff
• Check harvest, meal and snack logs at garden sites
• Report any gardening or educational needs to Gateway Greening staff

 Bell Garden

• Assist in maintaining garden space at Bell Demonstration Garden

Knowledge and Skills this Intern May Acquire

• Teaching Skills
• Educational activity planning
• Communication skills
• Plant care
• Sowing and transplanting
• Vegetable Harvest

Desired Skills & Resources Required

• Enjoys working with youth, especially preschool and younger
• Desire to learn gardening and educational skills
• Comfortable speaking with a diverse range of people
• Ability to adapt educational activities to the needs of youth at each day care facility
• Must be able to provide vehicle for transportation to day care sites and to use personal cell phone

Structure of Internship

• Timeline: March to May, June to August, September to November
• Hours/week: 20
• Bell Garden 20%
• Day Care activities 60%
• Research and planning 20%

• Interns will receive Gateway Greening Orientation
• Interns will participate in weekly program meeting and bi-weekly all staff meeting
• Midterm assessment and final evaluation will be completed with supervisor

Benefits of Interning with Gateway Greening

• Chance to make a positive impact on the lives of youth
• Develop marketable skills, in organization, communication,  and education
• Network with school and community gardens
• Learn about gardening and urban farming operations in the St. Louis area

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Hoop House Internship (spring semester only)

Internship Duties

• Assist the hoop house managers in all aspects of plant propagation:  
•  Mixing growing media, seeding, watering, fertilizing, thinning, transplanting, etc.

• Help maintain the hoop house facilities  
• Monitor environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.)
• Check hoop house systems (heater, irrigation, bench warmers)
• Sweep and tidy
• Assist Gateway Greening staff in weekly plant sales
• Monitor plants to determine if they’re ready for sale
• Sell plants to Gateway Greening Gardeners
• Create a system to track and monitor plant sales and inventory

• Take responsibility for plant and site maintenance on a rotating schedule (usually 1 day a week)

• Assist, manage and oversee volunteers in hoop house activities

• Assist hoop house managers in teaching 3 to 4 plant propagation classes

Knowledge and Skills this Intern May Acquire

• Gain skills in growing for plant sales
• Gain skills and knowledge of the necessary systems and techniques for indoor vegetable propagation
• Increase abilities to effectively work with and manage volunteers
• Further understanding of the significance and importance of community gardens and food projects
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment:  this includes being comfortable changing tasks, working/leading diverse groups, feeling confident with a diverse population
• Ability to work in a team environment and learn from fellow interns and staff
• Develop an ability to anticipate work and volunteer needs and gain the confidence needed to jump in and lead

 Desired Skills & Resources Required

• Ability to use personal vehicle and cell phone required
• Ability to work Saturdays required
• Willingness to work among diverse populations and environments
• Experience with horticulture or vegetable production desired
• Strong organizational skills and ability to follow through on tasks
• Ability to work independently but communicate as needed for guidance and clarification
• Willingness to share resources with fellow staff and interns

 Structure of Internship

• Timeline: February 1^st – April 30th, 2012
• Hours/week: 16, spread out over two weekdays and Saturday
• Intern will be directly supervised by GGI Urban Farm Manager and Community Educator
• Orientation meeting with intern supervisor, GGI staff and fellow interns
• Opportunity to shadow staff at volunteer orientations and general program activities
• Learning Objectives Contract:  Developed by second week of internship to include educational objectives, learning activities and skill development
• Evaluation: A midpoint evaluation and end-of-internship evaluation will include intern self-evaluation and supervisor evaluation.

 Benefits of Interning with Gateway Greening

• Practical knowledge in plant propagation, volunteer management and retail horticulture
• Hands-on experience making a positive impact in the lives of a diverse population
• Building relationships with community development and agricultural professionals
• Access to free, fresh local produce
• Access to a wide variety of heirloom and heritage seeds and seedlings

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Produce Distribution Internship

Internship Duties

• Assist the City Seeds Farm Manager in all aspects of harvest and crop production (1 day/week)
• Seeding, transplanting, thinning, watering, harvesting, integrated pest management, produce packaging, pruning, etc.
• Facilitate harvest packaging and food distribution to markets, social service providers, including sales and donations (1 day/week)
• Shadow and train for working at the farmer’s market, work Saturdays at the farmer’s market
• Train clients to work in customer service and retail skills at the market
• Track sales, donations, and weights throughout food distribution process
• Maintain communication and produce/market updates with the City Seeds Farm Manager

  Knowledge and Skills this Intern May Acquire

• Knowledge of fruit & vegetable food production
• Knowledge and experience pertaining to issues of homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse and prison release
• Volunteer management skills
• Experience with diverse clientele and social services
• Knowledge of local food systems, produce distribution and direct marketing practices
• Customer service & retail skills

Desired Skills & Resources Required

• Ability to use personal vehicle, GGI vehicles and cell phone required
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather
• Ability to do physically demanding work and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Willingness to work among diverse populations and environments
• Experience with horticulture or vegetable production desired
• Strong organizational skills and ability to follow through on tasks
• Ability to work independently but communicate as needed for guidance and clarification
• Willingness to share resources with fellow staff and interns

 Structure of Internship

• Timeline: Fridays & Saturdays, May-July, August-October
• Hours/week: 16 hrs/week (Tuesdays: 7:30-11:30, Fridays: 7:30-11:30, Saturdays: 6:30am-2:30pm), occasional extra hours required
• Intern will be supervised by City Seeds Farm Manager and Urban Agriculture Manager
• Orientation meeting with intern supervisor, GGI staff and fellow interns
• Opportunity to shadow staff at volunteer orientations and general program activities
• Learning Objectives Contract:  Developed by second week of internship to include educational objectives, learning activities and skill development
• Evaluation: A midpoint evaluation and end-of-internship evaluation will include intern self-evaluation and supervisor evaluation.

 Benefits of Interning with Gateway Greening

• Practical knowledge in crop production and ornamental care
• Hands-on experience making a positive impact in the lives of a diverse population
• Building relationships with community development and agricultural professionals
• Access to free, fresh local produce

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Therapeutic Horticulture Internship 

About this Position

The therapeutic horticulture program at City Seeds serves St. Patrick Center's "Shamrock" clients. These clients are overcoming homelessness, mental illness, chronic addiction and/or recent prison release. This 15 week program teaches 10 clients how to grow food, improve nutrition literacy and has a strong connection to their recovery goals through the 12 Steps of Gardening, nature journaling, maintaining personal beds and working collectively at the City Seeds Urban Farm. They attend monthly nutrition/cooking classes, lectures from guest speakers, field trips and monthly progress meetings. Clients attain their personal goals, while supervising volunteers, staffing the Tower Grove Farmers' Market booth, attending plant biology and therapeutic horticulture classes, and learning about sustainable agriculture.

 Topics in the Therapeutic Horticulture program include:

• Safety, Equipment and Tools
• Market Sales and Customer Service
• Food Safety
• Harvesting, Washing and Packaging
• Organic Farming
• Composting
• Insects on the Farm: Pests and Beneficials
• Plant Biology
• Intro to Common Vegetable Crops
• Vegetable Crop Maintenance
• Seeding and Transplanting
• Trees Planting and Maintenance
• Ornamental Care

Internship Duties

• Assist the City Seeds Farm Manager in all aspects of crop production  
• Seeding, transplanting, thinning, watering, harvesting, integrated pest management, produce packaging, pruning, etc.

 

• Assist the City Seeds Farm Manager in horticulture classes and activities  
• Prepare teaching materials, lead demonstrations, gather plant materials and visuals, prepare items for value-added product production, design journaling activities, etc.

 

• Participate in associated field trips, food demos, and horticulture therapy activities
• Train for and work at the farmer’s market

Knowledge and Skills this Intern May Acquire

• Knowledge of fruit & vegetable food production
• Knowledge of landscaping and horticulture
• Knowledge and experience pertaining to issues of homelessness, mental illness, substance abuse and prison release
• Volunteer management skills
• Experience with diverse clientele and social services
• Knowledge of local food systems

Desired Skills & Resources Required

• Ability to use personal vehicle and cell phone required
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather
• Ability to do physically demanding work and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Willingness to work among diverse populations and environments
• Experience with horticulture or vegetable production desired
• Strong organizational skills and ability to follow through on tasks
• Ability to work independently but communicate as needed for guidance and clarification

Structure of Internship

• Timeline: 2, 15 week sessions (April to Mid July, Mid-July to October)
• Hours/week: Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 7:30-12noon, occasional Friday activities and Saturday market work (7am-2pm)
• Intern will be supervised by City Seeds Farm Manager and Urban Agriculture Manager
• Orientation meeting with intern supervisor, GGI staff and fellow interns
• Opportunity to shadow staff at volunteer orientations and general program activities
• Learning Objectives Contract:  Developed by second week of internship to include educational objectives, learning activities and skill development
• Evaluation: A midpoint evaluation and end-of-internship evaluation will include intern self-evaluation and supervisor evaluation.

 Benefits of Interning with Gateway Greening

• Practical knowledge in crop production and ornamental care
• Hands-on experience making a positive impact in the lives of a diverse population
• Building relationships with community development and agricultural professionals
• Access to free, fresh local produce
  • Research, seek out and register for tabling opportunities at universities, health fairs and other special events to promote GGI programming and volunteer opportunities
  • Attend and represent agency at tabling events, prepare and manage tabling materials and recruit volunteer tabling assistance as necessary
  • Assist community and youth garden leaders prepare for one-time volunteer groups at their garden sites; Attend and help garden leaders facilitate one-time volunteer group work days
  • Conduct volunteer orientations and collect necessary paperwork for newly active individual volunteers
  • Assist with tracking volunteer hours
  • Assist with volunteer management on Saturday mornings at Bell Garden, GGI’s main community garden resource center open seasonally March-October
  • Lead tours of Bell Garden and other GGI program sites to groups and individual volunteers
  • Work alongside volunteers to prep for the Great Perennial Divide
  • Develop and implement volunteer satisfaction evaluation tool to improve volunteer management policies
  • Develop and implement volunteer recognition programs and/or events
  • Event planning, promotion and facilitation; Donation solicitation
  • Public speaking competencies
  • Ability to work in a team environment
  • Ability to organize work and volunteer groups
  • Ability to work in a dynamic environment:  this includes being comfortable changing tasks, working/leading diverse groups, feeling confident with a diverse population
  • Create positive atmosphere for the interaction of diverse populations
  • Develop an ability to anticipate work and volunteer needs and gain the confidence needed to jump in and lead
  • Survey information collection and reporting
  • Gain horticultural skills and understanding of small scale food production and garden maintenance techniques
  • Event planning and fundraising experience
  • Ability to use personal vehicle and cell phone required
  • Ability to work Saturdays required
  • Willingness to work among diverse populations and environments
  • Experience with horticulture or vegetable production desired
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to follow through on tasks
  • Ability to work independently but communicate as needed for guidance and clarification
  • Willingness to share resources will fellow staff and interns
  • Timeline:  March – May, June – August
  • 15 hours per week
  • Intern will be directly supervised by GGI Community Development Coordinator
  • Orientation meeting with intern supervisor, GGI staff and fellow interns
  • Opportunity to shadow staff at volunteer orientations and general program activities
  • Hands-on experience making a positive impact in the lives of a diverse population
  • Access to free, fresh local produce
  • Access to a wide variety of heirloom and heritage seeds and seedlings

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Volunteer Development Internship

About this Position

GGI operates four core programs, including the Community Garden Program, the Youth Garden Program, City Seeds Urban Farm and Urban Roots, a downtown civic greening project.  Through these programs, we support more than 200 active community and youth gardens with educational and material resource assistance, harvest more than 10,000 lbs. of food at City Seeds annually and plant thousands of show-stopping annuals in downtown medians each year.  We simply could not do what we do without volunteer support.

On average, GGI annually hosts more than 300 short-term and long-term individual volunteers and Master Gardeners, in addition to coordinating approximately 75 one-time volunteer groups comprised of more than 2,000 total individuals.  The focus of this internship will be to:

Internship Duties

 Knowledge and Skills this Intern May Acquire

Desired Skills and Resources Required

Structure of Internship

Learning Objectives Contract:  Developed by second week of internship to include educational objectives, learning activities and skill development

Evaluation:  A midpoint evaluation and end-of-internship evaluation will include intern self-evaluation and supervisor evaluation.

Benefits of Interning with Gateway Greening

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