Summer Youth Tillers Internship
Grow Skills. Build Community.
Summer Youth Tillers is a hands-on internship program designed for young people to explore community gardening, food justice, and environmental stewardship across New York City. Through paid summer work in community gardens, participants gain practical skills, build confidence, and deepen their connection to the neighborhoods they serve.
Youth Tillers work alongside experienced garden leaders and Green Guerillas staff to care for shared green spaces, learn about sustainable growing practices, and develop teamwork and leadership skills. The program centers youth voices and provides meaningful opportunities to learn, contribute, and grow, no prior gardening experience required.
Our Objectives
The Summer Youth Tillers program aims to engage young people in hands-on learning that connects community gardening, cultural identity, and food justice.
Through experiential activities, mentorship, and collaborative work in community gardens, SYT supports youth in developing practical skills, leadership capacity, and a deeper understanding of how food, culture, and community are interconnected.
The program is designed to build confidence, encourage critical thinking, and empower participants to contribute meaningfully to their communities while fostering care for the land and for one another.
Together, these experiences help youth see themselves as active stewards and leaders within their neighborhoods.
FAREWELL TO OUR
2025 COHORT
Youth Experience & Engagement
Summer Youth Tillers is designed as a participatory and youth-centered experience where learning happens through connection, reflection, and shared responsibility. Participants engage in group-based activities that encourage collaboration, creativity, and open dialogue, creating an environment where young people feel supported and valued.
Time spent together in gardens and workshops allows youth to build trust, form meaningful relationships, and learn from one another’s perspectives.
Youth are encouraged to take an active role in shaping their experience by sharing ideas, asking questions, and reflecting on their personal and collective experiences.
Through facilitated discussions and peer interaction, participants develop a stronger sense of agency and belonging while engaging with themes of community, culture, and care in ways that feel relevant to their everyday lives.
Moments from the Summer Youth Tillers Program
