Foodshed Project: Farmyard Gardens Internship
About the Internship
The Farm Yard Gardens Youth Internship was funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation and FedNor. In 2009 it was offered as a pilot program with our host farmer, Dillon Davekis (Farm Yard Sales). The Farm Yard Garden program is a partnership between The Foodshed Project and Farm Yard Sales.
The primary purpose of the program is to give young people (18-30) an opportunity to learn about gardening and farming through hands-on activities and workshops. The program also provides a learning environment to develop social and organizing skills, as well as healthier eating habits.
The program demonstrates to Sudburians that we can grow a significant amount of fruits and vegetables locally – growing food depends on a variety of factors besides weather, such as genetics, soil health, and watering practices. To be food secure, we need to grow our own foodshed sustainably!
In 2009, 14 interns participated from May to September in all the gardening activities, from preparing and amending the soil, planting from seed, weeding, watering and harvesting. The interns brought home their harvested produce to share with their friends and families. The internship is free to youth who can demonstrate the commitment necessary to grow food throughout the summer. All supplies are provided and the interns are not paid. Please contact us for information on the 2010 program, and opportunities to volunteer as Biodiversity Ambassadors in 2010.
For more information about the program please contact the Foodshed Project at: FarmYardGardens@foodshedproject.ca
