Cultivating Garden Communications Intern - Treasure Valley Community Co-op (hybrid)

At the Treasure Valley Community Gardens Cooperative (TVCGCoop), we offer more than just an internship; we provide you with a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience that transcends boundaries and can propel you towards a rewarding future in any entrepreneurial or community-based endeavor.

What You'll Gain:

• Connection to Community: Join us in fostering a deep connection to one of life's most essential aspects - food, and the abundant possibilities of regenerative practices. Our community partners and fellow gardeners resonate with the profound fulfillment we find in reconnecting with this vital part of our lives.
• Practical Communication Skills: As an intern, you'll have the opportunity to work closely with a mentor who will guide you in utilizing our established and intuitive communications framework. You'll gain practical experience in revitalizing our network of over 43 area community gardens, including skills such as:
  • Learning to use and update a user-friendly website system.
  • Learning how to update and manage a custom Google Map of area gardens.
  • Crafting engaging newsletters using an intuitive builder.
  • Understanding the effective use of social media networks within a broad local network and integrating current events for maximum impact.
• Hands-on Learning in Sustainable Gardening: Our cooperative community garden serves as the inspiring and innovative base for our practice of sustainable gardening. Here, you'll not only cultivate plants but also knowledge. You'll discover what goes into growing nutrient-dense food, understanding the land required for it. Then, compare these insights to the possibilities inherent in community gardens, where we harness collective efforts for impactful results.
  • You'll have the chance to learn about sustainable gardening practices, learning from experienced gardeners, and actively participating in garden care and harvest. All the gardeners, including you, share in the harvest!
  • If you love flavorful delicious food…. this is an opportunity you want to indulge.
• Content Development: If you're interested in developing meaningful, relevant, and educational content, this is a chance for you to learn how to build those skills collaboratively. Your input in this area will be invaluable to us, and you'll gain expertise in creating content that resonates with our community. The garden itself is a constant source of inspiration and content development.
  • Using your phone and free apps, you will learn the basics of narrative content development including photography, short-form video development.
  • You will have an opportunity to develop narrative about 2 or more community gardens this season.
• Exploration of Shared-Space Gardens: You'll have the unique opportunity to explore various shared-space gardens in our area, witnessing the diverse methods employed and gaining a deeper understanding of the positive impact these gardens have on our community.
• School and Community Garden Partnerships: Get involved in the early re-development of partnerships between schools and community gardens. You'll participate in the exploration, study, planning, and early implementation of these partnerships, gaining practical experience in bridging educational institutions with the community. We'll review available tools and resources from our community partners, including organizations and institutions, and study successful models that can be tailored to our region.

This internship is a truly unique network of opportunities in our region, offering you the chance to make an important difference at a critical time. Interest is growing in homes around the valley, in learning what goes into creating a supplemental food supply. Your contributions can drive meaningful change. Join us in uniting the Treasure Valley community through the abundant potential of community gardens and embark on a fulfilling, lifelong adventure in the world of regenerative gardening, meaningful connections, and sustainable practices.

Qualifications:

• Enthusiasm for community engagement and sustainable gardening.
• A desire to increase access to empowering nature-based learning opportunities for kids.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Interest in community development and outreach.
• Some level of familiarity with, and ability, to work in TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
• Comfortable working with the Google suite, namely Gmail, Docs, Maps, Sheets, and Drive.

Mentor Bio:

Mary K Johnson has a 20+ year background in marketing. She began transitioning out of a secure career while living in the Seattle-Tacoma area after 9 years working for a top US retailer with global distribution. In order to build on established visual design skills, she went to The Evergreen State College in Olympia, working out a partial food trade and farm-wage job with the Organic Farm there. She bolstered her communications degree and added a number of interdisciplinary interests as a student there, participating in programs as well as designing several Independent Learning Contracts. In 2021, she was grateful to find a job that aligned with her passions, at the values-based Snake River Seed Cooperative where she serves as the Marketing Manager, Community Outreach and Education Coordinator. 

She manages the Grow More Good Garden on Cole rd. made possible by St. Stephens Episcopal Church, started in partnership with One Stone High School, where she served as the Garden Coach part time in the 2022-23 school year. There she learned about student-led learning based, which is based in empathy and compassion. 

She is a pandemic-era gardener, influenced by some of the success of the Victory Gardens of prior generations, working collaboratively toward growing food security and community connections, with the Treasure Valley Community Gardens Cooperative. 

What is Work U?

This position lives within the Work U program at Boise State. You may apply to up to three different Work U opportunities.  Work U is a unique internship program that gives you hands-on professional experience, clarity on your career goals, an opportunity to be mentored, focused classroom time, and a chance to build your resume and network – all while gaining three upper-division credits.