2026 City Green's Growing Strong Internship Program Application

City Green's Growing Strong Internship Program Application
About City Green
City Green, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating the establishment of urban farms and gardens in northern New Jersey’s cities to create increased access to healthy, local food while cultivating education in food systems, nutrition and the environment.

Diversity is a core value of City Green. We believe the power of diversity enriches all of us by exposing us to a range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design and deliver solutions. City Green is committed to working to build and sustain an equitable and inclusive work environment where diversity is celebrated and valued. We believe diversity benefits and enriches the development of all of our staff, partners, supporters, and community.

City Green has two farm sites: a 5-acre farm at our headquarters in Clifton and a one-acre farm in a public park in Paterson. We sustainably grow over 50 varieties of vegetables, keep a small flock of hens for eggs, a small herd of goats, and maintain educational gardens for programs. We operate our own farm stands in Clifton, Paterson and Passaic as well as a mobile market serving neighborhoods in the area. Through our farms and markets, we aim to create increased access to local, farm-fresh food, while addressing issues of food justice.
Applicant Requirements
Applicant Requirements:
- You must be a student from Clifton or Paterson
- You must be either a Sophomore, Junior, or Senior in high school as of September 2026
- You must be available to work the following schedules from June 30th - August 18th within the hours of 8:30am - 3:00pm. Each crew will have a schedule approximately in this time frame 3-4 days per week
- You must be authorized to work in the United States
- Must be available for the entire duration of the program.
- If you do not meet these requirements, we will have to deny your application.
In order to have a complete application, all students must do the following:
- Fill out this application form
- Have a Recommendation Form submitted on your behalf
- Attend a Teen Summer Program Information Session
Optionally, to enhance your application, you may submit a resume.

The deadline to submit this application is Friday, April 24th 11:59 PM.

About the Growing Strong High School Internship Program
About

Growing Strong is a paid summer internship for high school students from Paterson and Clifton, NJ. Interns spend the summer working at City Green at our farm or children’s camp programs, while participating in food and environmental justice workshops. By working in an urban farming and market enterprise or educational garden/farm camp program, interns positively engage with their community; benefit from purposeful mentorship and peer collaboration; and foster a personal connection to food systems, healthy eating and the environment.
Program Schedule

The 2026 Growing Internship is a 7-week program that runs between June 30 - August 18.

Due to the short nature of the internship, participants are required to be available during the entire duration of the program. Priority will be given to students who are available for the entirety of the program. The first two weeks of the program are mandatory. On a case by case basis, up to one week of absence may be approved.

Before applying, be sure to review the program schedule with your parent/guardian to determine if you have any foreseen absences (planned doctors appointments, vacations, sports schedules etc).
Food & Environmental Justice Workshops

A feature of the Growing Strong Program is the Food & Environmental Justice Workshop Series. All Growing Strong interns are active participants in this workshop program, which follows weekly themes about food systems. Topics range from local vs. industrial food systems, farming, land, food access, and cultural connections to food. Interns participate in discussions, activities, and presentations during the workshops. These workshops provide important context to the garden education, farming and market work that interns do during the Growing Strong program.

During the internship program, interns also participate in workshops on financial literacy, resume writing, and attend field trips, including a college tour.
Growing Strong Crews

The Growing Strong program has two different types of “crews” for you to apply for. Each crew has different everyday tasks and responsibilities, but all Growing Strong interns work in some aspect of farming, gardening, and education.

Farm Crew Members

Work at the City Green Farms and Markets. Farming activities include: planting, weeding, watering and harvesting. Market activities include: preparing produce for market, setting up and running City Green Farm Stands and Mobile Markets, providing engaging customer service to local residents, and representing City Green's values and mission!

Garden Education Crew Members

Assist City Green Staff in the implementation of the Garden Education Curriculum, facilitates educational and recreational activities with the campers (ages 5-12) and assist in maintaining the Learning Farm in Clifton, Learning Garden in Paterson and the gardens at our community partners’ sites.
Which crew are you most interested in?

Farm CrewGarden Education CrewI am interested in either!

Applicant Information
Your Name*

First NameLast Name
Your Current Age*
Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Date
Your Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Your Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
What is your shirt size? (Adult Unisex)*
Your Email*
example@example.com
Your Current School*
Your School Phone Number*
What grade will you be in September 2026?*
Parent/Guardian Information
Parent/Guardian*

First NameLast Name
What is the relationship between Parent/Guardian and the Applicant*
Best Phone Number to Reach Parent/Guardian*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Parent/Guardian Email Address*
example@example.com

Growing Strong Application (continued)

Please take your time when answering the questions below. Answer them to the best of your ability and in your own words. All answers will be screened for the usage of AI.
What interests you most about working as a Growing Strong Intern?*

0/1000
Describe some of your interests and activities outside of school.*

0/0
This internship involves farming and gardening tasks and is fully outdoors. Why are you interested in working on a farm or in a garden? *

0/1000
What is a challenge you have faced while working with others? How did you overcome that challenge?*

0/1000
What is your dream job? Tell us why. *

0/1000
What is one example of a food or dish that is important to your family and/or your cultural heritage? Tell us about it! (Ex. recipe, how it’s prepared, when you eat it etc). *

0/1000
If hired, what do you hope to learn from working this summer job? *

0/1000
In submitting the answers to this portion of the application, I acknowledge and agree to the following terms:*

I have filled out the application to the best of my ability and without the use of AI technology.City Green reserves the right to reject this application if AI has been used.
Resume (optional)

To enhance your application, you are welcome to submit a resume. This component of the application is optional.
Resume

Cancelof

Teen Summer Program Info Session
In order to be considered for the Growing Strong High School Internship Meeting, all applicants must attend one of City Green's Teen Summer Programs Info Session.

In this session you will learn more details about the program and what it's like to be an intern at City Green!

The Info Session Dates are as follows:
- Tuesday, February 24th
  - Location: Eastside High School @ Teen Center
  - Time: During each lunch period.
  - This session is only open to students at Eastside High School.
  - For more information, contact Erica Parks at erica.parks@YCS.org.
- Wednesday, March 11th
  - Location: Clifton High School @ Teen Center
  - Time: During each lunch period
  - This session is only open to students at Clifton High School
  - For more information, contact Katherine Quinones at kquinones@njcdc.org
- Thursday, March 26th
  - Location: John F Kennedy High School @ Teen Center
  - Time: During each lunch period
  - This session is only open to students at John F Kennedy High School
  - For more information, contact Priscilla Pineda at ppineda@patersonnj.gov
- Thursday, April 9th, 2026
  - Location: Clifton Allwood Library
  - Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
  - To RSVP: visit citygreenonline.org/events
- Wednesday, March 25, 2026
  - Location: Virtual via Zoom
  - Time: 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  - TO RSVP, visit citygreenonline.org/events
- Wednesday, April 22, 2026
  - Location: Virtual via Zoom
  - Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  - TO RSVP, visit citygreenonline.org/events
I understand that I need to attend a Teen Summer Program Interest Meeting in order to have a complete application

Recommendation Form
To have a complete application, you will need to have an adult submit a recommendation on your behalf. This adult is someone who knows you well, but is not a member of your family. (such as a teacher, coach, employer or minister, etc)

Please take the following steps to ensure your letter of reference is submitted.

Step 1: Save the following link: https://form.jotform.com/260416101525141

Step 2: Send it to the adult who will be filling out the reference on your behalf

Step 3: Make sure that is completed by the application deadline of April 24th.

You will be notified via email once your recommendation writer completes the form. If you have not received notification, please check in with them.

If you have any questions, please reach out to opportunitites@city-green.org OR give us a call at 973-869-4086.
I understand that I need to send the Letter of Reference Link to an adult who will fill it out on my behalf. This reference must be received by April 24th in order to have a complete application.
(internal use) Received letter of recommendation

YesNot

Growing Strong Application (continued)
Interviews and Transportation
Interviews are held at the City Green Farm Eco-Center, 171 Grove Street, Clifton NJ 07013. We can provide transportation to and from Paterson if your parent/guardian completes a permission slip.

Interviews will be held after school on 5/13 or 5/14
In the event I am contacted for an interview, I will need a ride from:*

Great Falls Youth CenterEastside Park, Paterson (next to the Paterson Recreation White House)I will provide my own transportation to the interview
We will contact you to let you know if you have been selected for an interview. We do not hire anyone who does not interview with us, we want to get to know you better, and help you understand what City Green is all about!
Agreement and Signature
Applicant Name*
Applicant Signature*

Clear
Parent/Guardian Name*
Parent/Guardian Signature*

Clear
Should be Empty:

City Green's Growing Strong Internship Program Application

About City Green

Applicant Requirements

About the Growing Strong High School Internship Program

Applicant Information

Parent/Guardian Information

Growing Strong Application (continued)

Resume (optional)

Teen Summer Program Info Session

Recommendation Form

Growing Strong Application (continued)

Interviews and Transportation

Agreement and Signature