Teen Programs
MHS Environmental Science Students
Under the leadership of the Morris School District teachers, we are pleased to host 200 students in a new program involved in hands-on learning to enrich their curriculum that began this April at Early Street Community Garden. Students are learning and planting seedlings grow by Farmers Shaun and Marley to monitor and learn about the natural world around them. They also learn about civic engagement and working together!
Last year, the high school students in work study programs visited the farm. They shared the joy of being outside and remarked that it made them feel like a kid again, as they worked to maintain the donation bed providing food for the community! This year's program builds on the success of that program as we welcome more students connecting them to the natural environment. The solutions they discover and skills they build help prepare the next generation!
High School Paid Internship Program
Class of 2022 High School Interns (not pictured- Caitlyn)
Class of 2021 High School Interns
2022 brought us another incredible team of High School interns!
The paid summer high-school internship program is one of our key programs at the farm created to tap into the incredible abilities of the high school students living in Morristown. Students hit with messages of challenges about health and climate change need a place to empower them for the future.
The internship is about more than performing tasks at The Urban Farm. Students learn leadership and problem solving. They learn to see projects through to completion. On a farm, from day to day, the work can change depending on many factors including weather. Learning to assess challenges and determine the best course of action with the leadership of the farmers are important life skills. Some days are about weeding and harvesting, and playing music in the field but even then the social connections being made are important building blocks for their health- spending time with other students, volunteers, families and children.
The importance of learning teamwork and developing socialization skills are outcomes of the program that your funding makes possible. In spite of the many days of hot, humid weather, each student overwhelming recommends the program being available for others. They love to take home and enjoy the fresh produce of their labor too- and they try lots of new ones!
The 2023 internship program is brought to us by a local family foundation who strongly believes in the need for youth opportunities that tap into their potential to serve and grow and Opal® Apple Youth Make a Difference grant. In 2021 we had students reaching out in numbers we haven't seen before. Individual donations make it possible to hire 8 high school students working alongside Farmer Shaun and Farmer Marley from a wide diversity of backgrounds. Donate now and help us bridge the gap of $1500 to hire 8 students again this year!
There are so many benefits of meaningful employment for the next generation- social, emotional and physical. Learning new skills and learning about food systems helps reduce fear about climate change and lays the groundwork for future innovative solutions. We hear so many positive comments from the students and the parents about this time spent on the farm.
Your donations prioritize the youth of our community- on an individual level as each of these students has a unique story and on a community level where they will grow up and make a difference!
Thank you to Farmer Shaun from Morris County School of Technology July 2023
On behalf of the Morris County School of Technology and the Morris County Vocational School
District, I extend our sincerest gratitude to you for mentoring our students. You play an essential
part in preparing our students for future careers and life beyond high school and college, or other
post-secondary endeavors.
We know taking on a mentor is a huge commitment that requires time and effort. We are incredibly
appreciative of your willingness to invest that time and energy to help mold our future workforce.
Please know that you have had a significant impact on the lives of the students you have mentored.
Thank you again for all the work you have done for our students!
Sincerely,
Shari Castelli
Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction
Morris County School of Technology