EYA’s unique urban agriculture work experience program in Vancouver

Three weeks of training followed by eleven weeks of work experience with partner agencies

By Julia Thiessen
EYA
May 3, 2011

A landmark internship has just drawn to a close, with ten local youth completing a unique urban agriculture work experience program. This program offered the opportunity for hands-on learning in the budding field of urban agriculture – and get paid for it! For the youth in the program this opportunity was not only a unique chance to  delve into organizations making a difference in the community, but also a chance to address their own barriers to finding fulfilling work in the future.

Partnerships with a variety of host organizations were established by the Environmental Youth Alliance. These organizations all provide important contributions in the field, and were willing to open their doors for an intern to see what working there is like.

From harvesting arugula to making compost from coffee grounds, from building cold-frames to applying for grants, the work varied greatly. At SOLEfood for example, Scott learned how to seed veggies which will be sold in the summer at local markets. SOLEfood is an urban farm located on an old parking lot – a unique place to work if ever there was one.

Across town, Jessie was working with a Horticultural Therapist to increase the quality of life for residents in long-term care.  There were youth helping to organize conferences at the BC Association of Farmer’s Markets, and FarmFolkCityFolk.

Earthwise Farm Society and the Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing Project hosted interns who had ample opportunity to get their hands dirty doing farm work and providing local food for residents. Melissa spear-headed a garden at the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood house to grow food for their popular community kitchen events.

At the Purple Thistle, Daniel contributed to the expansion of the greening of an industrial area, on land provided through the green streets program. Thanks to Laura, The Vancouver Farmer’s Market was able to ground their campaign to reduce market waste.
 
Three weeks of training followed by eleven weeks of work experience with partner agencies  provided a well rounded practicum focusing on skill development in the environmental sector. These internships are part of the Service Canada Skills Link program. EYA hopes to run another work experience Skills Link Program this summer.

For more info please visit www.eya.ca/internships.

Also see: “Environmental Youth Alliance: A Conversation with Julia Thiessen” here.