Gann Farm

Shomrei Adamah Teen Internship on the Gann Farm
Do you want to spend your summer getting paid to work outside while building the skills to create a more beautiful, just, and sustainable world?  Join us for the Shomrei Adamah (earth protectors) Internship!
Shomrei Adamah at the Gann Farm is a 6 week, hands-on, paid summer internship for young people entering 10th through 12th grade that centers on Jewish justice values, meaningful work outside, and community building on the Gann Farm.
 
The Gann Farm is committed to running outdoor, in-person COVID-safe programming for the 2021 season.  See below for more about our COVID-19 protocols. 

Shomrei Adamah will run Tuesday to Friday from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm. The program begins on Tuesday, June 29th, 2021 and concludes on Friday, August 6th, 2021. 

Once an application has been filled out, we will be in touch to schedule an interview.  During the interview, participants will have a chance to ask questions about the program, and our Farm team will make sure that the participant and program goals are compatible. Following the interview, staff will review the application and interview, and be in touch as to whether the applicant has been accepted.

Applications are now being accepted on a rolling basis until the cohort is full.

Please feel free to reach out to Gann Farmer Noah Weinberg, nweinberg@gannacademy.org, with any questions. 

Stipend

This is a paid, educational internship.  Participants will earn a stipend of $500 for the session (about $80/week). 
 
Required Qualifications
  • Entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade
  • Ability to commit to entirety of program
  • This is a “get your hands dirty” internship! We will be doing hard work on hot summer days. Farm work is physically challenging (and rewarding)! Interns should arrive each day with motivation and energy - ready to jump into each day’s work.
  • Interns should be interested and excited to learn about both the nitty gritty (which weeds to pull up) and the big picture (local food system and food justice).
  • Self-identify as Jewish and interested in participating in a pluralistic Jewish community.
  • Interns should have the ability to stay focused, complete tasks, and work both independently and in groups.
Core Components of Shomrei Adamah 
 
Meaningful Work Outside

Participants will learn and practice:
  • Seeding, planting, plant care, harvesting, seed saving, and compost production
  • Gowing food to share with our community
  • Working outside in all kinds of weather: hot, rainy, muggy, and cold
Community Building

Participants will engage in the work of:
    • Developing personal and community practices in reflection, awareness, and growth
    • Exploring personal social identities and how they relate and intersect with our food system and community
    • Growing leadership skills and exploring our capacity to create change in our communities 
    Jewish Food Justice

    Participants will engage in the ancient Jewish tradition of wrestling with Torah and asking:
    • What can the spirit of peah, or leaving parts of our harvest in the field for those in need, tell us about a modern approach to food justice?
    • How can Shabbat and Shmita, Jewish cycles of rest and release, guide us to build healthy and sustainable communities?
    • What does it mean to be working at a Jewish farm today?
    Inspirations and Partners 
    This program is inspired by Abundance Farm’s Shefa program, as well as the Food Project’s Seed Crew program, and we are grateful for their generosity in sharing wisdom, language, and educational resources. 

    This program is a partnership between Temple Beth Zion Brookline and Gann Academy and is supported by a Teen Community Impact Grant from Combined Jewish Philanthropies.


    Sample Summer Schedule 
     
     
    • GANN ACADEMY
    • 333 Forest Street
    • Waltham, MA 02452
    • P: 781.642.6800
    • F: 781.642.6805