Together Growing Gardens of Families and Friends

Summer in the North Country is a short yet intense growing season. The CCE Youth and Family development team provides the space and time for families to gather in our city community garden space that is within a Public Housing project. This community engagement space fosters a welcoming, learning environment where participants feel they belong and not just looking over the fence. Last year CCE joined the community garden space and focused on building horticultural skills. The 2026 garden season will incorporate building parenting skills by creating opportunities for parents to model responsibility cooperation, and problem-solving, while fostering children's confidence and connection to nature and healthy food. Through shared activities, parents can guide youth in developing essential life skills like planning, time management and accountability. Gardens also provide a shared space for parents to connect with their children, parents, and other community members by building a stronger social support network.

Roles and responsibilities 

The student intern’s role will be to integrate gardening with guided family activities, parenting skills, as well as provide physical and nutritional opportunities. The role will require the student to participate in hands-on physical work as in any active garden setting (soil prep, planting, weeding, harvesting, simple meal/ snack prep), planning and implementing lessons, activities and events alongside Youth and Family Team members. The intern can expect to be an integral member of the team involved in administrative tasks, community outreach, helping with community events and other educational program support components.  Program logistics, child-focused activities, parent interaction and communication are included in the intern’s duties. 
 

Qualifications and previous coursework

This opportunity is available to students in Cornell University's College of Human Ecology.

• Genuinely enjoy people of all ages and stages. Be open to new experiences and challenges, being flexible, enthusiastic, along with strong interpersonal skills are essential to work with youth and adults. Be aware that you may learn more than your participants and that will be wonderful!
• Driving on behalf of the summer project will be required.
   

Learning outcomes 

The selected intern should embrace this opportunity as an introduction to Cornell Cooperative Extension where the goal is to improve individuals, families, and communities in Clinton County through partnerships, experience and research-based knowledge to work in the hands and the hearts of our people. The students will develop educational strategies to reach a broad and diverse audience of youth and adults. Anticipated student interns’ project outcomes would include developing positive guidance strategies, understanding cultural parenting roles, promoting self-confidence in children, and improving social-emotional skills like patience and communications. Interns would gain practical skills in civic engagement, community building and an appreciation for diverse cultures through shared gardening and food practices.  Student interns can expect to gain practical gardening skills, enhanced leadership and teamwork abilities, a deeper understanding on STEM concepts, improved communications, confidence, career exploration, and problem-solving skills as well as an increased appreciation for healthy food and sustainable practices.