Do YOU want to be a Youth Grower?

If you're between the ages of 14 and 17, interested in a summer of physical challenge and emotional growth and want to help your community, have fun and earn money, Youth Growers is for you.

Youth Growers is a hands-on program connecting you to yourself, peers, your community, and your food system. From planting to distribution, you participate in all aspects of the growing cycle. You are also connected to the greater Portland community with volunteer and field trip opportunities. Workshops and exercises to foster leadership and knowledge include diversity trainings, food system workshops, community organizing, and public speaking exercises. Youth Growers support one another throughout the experience and are one group. Regularly you will participate in supporting your peers and being supported by them through structured communication and sharing. You will receive a stipend for your full participation in each session and experience being an engaged citizen, productive employee, and socially aware person of integrity.

In 2011, there will be three sessions of Youth Growers:

* Session 1: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, June 28 -- July 22, 8 am to 3 pm. Maximum stipend: $640
* Session 2: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, August 2 -- August 26, 8 am to 3 pm. Maximum stipend: $640
* Session 3: Culinary Crew, Wednesdays and Saturdays September 1-- December. 1. Maximum stipend: $840

To apply for one or more Youth Growers sessions, click here. You can fill out a hard copy and mail it to Youth Growers Application, Cultivating Community, P.O. Box 3792, Portland, ME 04104. Applications are due April 15. Every applicant will come to an interview on either April 26 or April 27 from 3-5:30 pm at the Kennedy Park office.

Be sure to have an adult fill out the last page of the application, which is a reference form.  If you are an adult who has been asked to be a reference click here for the reference form.