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Summer 2010
August 4th - 6th
Register Now (PDF)
cost: $400
Lincoln and Boston, MA
Throughout the year, The Food Project hums like a complex ecosystem: all different pieces of the organization work together and complement each other to provide youth and community with a sustainable food system and a sense of social awareness. But how does it all work? What is the recipe for success in farming, youth development AND social change?
This July, we will answer these questions when we open our doors for the “Summer Institute.” This three-day workshop offers a rare chance to see the intimate details of The Food Project’s inner workings. The Summer Institute is an engaging, interactive learning experience for anyone interested in the issues of youth, land, food and community.
Day 1
Our first day will be split between two topics: mission-based management and production agriculture with youth. The first part of the day will be spent training participants on the tools and artistry needed to run a high participation, mission-driven organization. We will discuss what it takes personally, philosophically, and professionally to create and sustain an organization.
The second half of this day will focus on running a production farm with young people. Our Director of Agriculture will lead a hands-on training based in our rural fields and greenhouse. It will include the practices one needs to involve youth in a productive farming operation.
Days 2 and 3
The next two days of this Institute allow participants to experience The Food Project's Summer Youth Program first-hand. This program is our beginning program for youth engaged in community development through food systems work. For over ten years, many people have asked to see this innovative program in action. In this segment of the training, you will learn about the program's structure, farm side by side with teens, attend a community lunch, watch teens run our farmers market in the city, and engage your peers about how to create effective youth in food systems programs in your community.
This three-day workshop promises to be interactive, intimate, and experiential. Enrollment is limited to 25 participants. We will accept applications on a first come, first serve basis.
For more information on TFP's Institute, please contact us at institute@thefoodproject.org or call 781-472-9824 to speak with Greg Gale, the Institute trainer.
Winter 2011
dates: TBA
Lincoln and Boston, MA
Many people come to The Food Project during the summer and are inspired by this well-orchestrated symphony of activities - with beautiful, healthy food, and highly motivated, articulate teens working with passion towards a common mission. It seems to flow effortlessly.
The truth is….our summers are the complementary outcome of the other half of the year when we run vibrant youth programs such as the Academic Year Program (with its D.I.R.T. crew ) and our Internship program. During this Fall/Winter season, 50 teens are engaged in meaningful, age-appropriate challenges that help our communities as they deepen their knowledge and take action to create a sustainable food system. The lessons and actions are dynamic and “real-time” at shelters, farmers’ markets, greenhouses, in workshops they facilitate, and in the powerful feedback sessions with their peers and supervisors (during Straight Talk).
At the Winter Institute, you’ll experience:
- winter season planning and program design
- the opportunity to work with youth and hear about their winter season work
- how to build a tiered youth development program
- how to mobilize and motivate teens year round
- the foundations and planning for strong summer programs
- dinner and in-depth conversations with The Food Project staff
Hours will be 5-8pm Thursday and 8:30am-5:00pm on Friday and Saturday.
For more information on TFP's Institute, please email institute@thefoodproject.org or call 781-472-9824 to speak with Greg Gale, the Institute trainer.
Read what others have to say...
“The Food Project is one of the few organizations that I have seen where youth are respected, nurtured, educated and socialized in a way that benefits both them and all of us. There is no better model of youth and justice work that I have seen.”
“The Food Project Institute’s unique vision of our world’s youth has redefined the essence of community-based agriculture. Their mission-based programming embraces so many crucial components of local farming and actually puts them into practice. TFP is not only a program to model; it is a movement to follow.”
“Overall, the most valuable conference I have ever attended.”
“After spending three days at The Food Project’s Institute, I can’t stop thinking about or talking about The Food Project. If after three days I feel so positively affected, imagine change TFP does with others that they work with longer term. WOW!”
