CLARKSVILLE, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Food Initiative has begun accepting applications for their 2020 Summer Youth Program. The Program, began in 2008, invites more than 350 local high school students to the Food Initiative’s 12-acre farm where they will learn to grow healthy food for the community and help local hunger relief organizations.

Throughout the 4-week program, students will work in the garden, planting seeds, pulling weeds, harvesting, learning life lessons and helping at Manna Cafe Ministries, Loaves and Fishes and the Austin Peay Farm.

The students will also have the opportunity to learn culinary skills as they take produce from the farm and help to make a dish to be served at Salvation Army.

“We are really proud of the work being done through The Food Initiative, but our Summer Youth Program is our absolute favorite. The opportunity to watch a group of young teenage-strangers come together to work towards a common goal and finish the program with a better sense of self, hard work, teamwork, better communication skills and friends, it’s the best!” says Program and Creative Director, Regina Hampton. “And, they learn about whole foods, the food system, and health while they’re at it.”

Students can apply to take part in one of two four-week sessions in June or July. Each session runs Monday-Friday. Transportation will be provided for all participants to and from the farm.

Student crew members will receive a stipend at the end of each week. Upon completion of the program, students will also receive as much as $800 for their work and participation, according to a release from the Food Initiative.

The Summer Youth Program is open to students currently in 9th, 10th, or 11th grades and that live the Clarksville-Montgomery County or Fort Campbell School Districts. This includes students at both public and private schools as well as home school students. The program requires 100% participation from all members, a typical work day lasting from 9 a.m-4 p.m, with transportation being available at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

The program’s June session begins Monday, June 1, and runs through Friday June 26.

The July session will run Monday, July 6- Saturday, August 1.

The deadline to apply is Thursday, March 12. Interviews will be held on Saturday, March 14. Applications can be found on the Food Initiative’s website.

To learn more or ask questions about the program, email Regina Hampton at regina@foodinitiative.org.