Young people have the potential to take action and make their community and local food systems more just. Cultivating Community offers 50 paid leadership internship opportunities per year for Portland Public High School students to develop their unique voices as they grow leadership, teamwork, and job skills.
Interns learn to grow, prepare, and share food with East Bayside neighbors, make new friends, and have new outdoor experiences, all while creating a healthier, more food-secure community for themselves and those around them.
All Portland Public High School students are welcome to apply but we prioritize those who have limited opportunities and will benefit most from our paid internships. We prioritize food-insecure/housing-insecure participants and we are one of the only programs in Portland that readily accepts and accommodates non-English speakers.
We are looking for young people who share our values, who want to be a force for positive change in their community. Our programs change with the seasons and we welcome 4 cohorts per year: Youth Growers (Spring and Summer), Culinary Crew (Fall), and Youth Leadership Intensive (Winter). Interns can expect to:
- Learn about food, social, and environmental justice through hands-on service projects, field trips, workshops, and games.
- Get to know yourself better and become more confident about making change.
- Practice communication, teamwork, and other job skills.
- Create a healthier and more resilient community.
- Solve real, unmet community needs while building skills as a citizen.
- Participate in regional and state-wide gatherings focused on sustainable agriculture and food justice.
Graduated Intern Mentors
We have opportunities for teens who have completed an internship with Cultivating Community and are ready to be in a new leadership position. Graduated interns will lead food justice education with Youth Growers, support farming from seed to harvest, facilitate delivery of Eldershare to East Bayside neighbors, and help lead in the kitchen. Graduated interns are dynamic and dedicated graduates of Youth Growers, Culinary Crew, and Youth Leadership Intensive. Applications are available before the start of each seasonal program in January, May, and September.
Youth Grower Counselors
We offer roles for college-age students (preferably program alumni) to become paid staff members during the summer months. Youth Grower Counselors bring their skills and expertise to lead Youth Growers, as they focus on working with younger students either primarily in the garden or in the kitchen. Helping lead Youth Growers is a great way to explore a possible career in the field of food justice or sustainable agriculture!
This program is made possible through community partnerships!
Contact for Inquiries
For all inquiries and questions about our Youth Leadership Internships, please contact Billie Watson, our Youth Program Manager, at billie@cultivatingcommunity.org
American Rescue Plan Act GEER, Reverted EANS Funding received from the USDOE support the implementation of this project. The project has an award totaling $6.6 million dollars of which 100% is federally funded and directly attributed to project implementation. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by the USDOE or the U.S. Government.