High School Resources
Opportunities for high school students, teachers, guidance counselors.
Girls Inc. Youth Farm
Young women learn skills in entrepreneurship, farming, business management and leadership development. Program participants are paid a stipend for their involvement.
- For young women currently enrolled in high school
- One year commitment: 30 hours/week in the summer, 10 hours/week during the school year. Students receive an $1,800 stipend.
- Contact: Kelsey Hoffman / 541-261-4643 / [email protected]
- http://www.girlsincmemphis.org/our-programs/youth-farm
Big Green
Big Green builds Learning Gardens, dynamic outdoor classrooms and productive edible gardens, for schools in the ASD, SCS, and Charter systems. After installation, teachers and garden teams will receive garden-based and nutrition-based education and resources from Big Green.
- Apply for a garden here https://biggreen.org/apply/
- Contact: [email protected]
- https://biggreen.org/where-were-growing/memphis/
One of our community partners has gone through a name change and it would be nice to have the website represent this. Thanks for your help. Let me know if you need anything else form me to help make this happen.
The Boys and Girls Club Juice+ Technical Training Center
The Juice Plus+ Technical Training Center of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis provides career development services for students ages 16-24 in soft skills, college prep, culinary arts, greenhouse science, logistics, welding, IT, drivers education, and automotive. The culinary arts program gives students real-world experience in the hospitality industry. Students receive support to obtain employment and/or selecting the right college.
- Students ages 16-24 currently enrolled in high school or recent graduates
- 903 Walker Ave., Memphis, TN 38106
- Stipends available for those with good attendance and excel in the program
- Students must pay $10/year to join and have valid photo id, social security card, and birth certificate.
- Placement rate into employment and/or college for high school graduates of the program has been 100%!
- http://www.bgcm.org/who-we-serve/our-clubs/juice-plus-technical-training-center/
Memphis Botanic Garden connects students with the natural world as they participate in hands-on, outdoor learning. In addition to plant science, the Garden offers programs on ecosystems, historical uses of plants, art in nature, environmental issues and more.
- Download the full education guide: https://www.memphisbotanicgarden.com/youthgroupprograms.
- Contact: Kristen Zemaitis /901-636 -4126 / [email protected]
Shelby Farms Park
The Farm-to-Fork Fellowship (F2FF) is a program that pays youth to grow the food that goes into their school lunches, bringing kids closer to their food and equipping them with life skills that they can take back to their communities.
- Grades 9-12
- Fellowship lasts for a full school year
- Students are paid for their work
- Natalie Wilson / (901) 222-7267 / [email protected]
- http://www.shelbyfarmspark.org/internships-fellowships
- For college students
- 15-40 hours a week for a semester
- Students get school credit for their work
- Natalie Wilson / (901) 222-7267 / [email protected]
- http://www.shelbyfarmspark.org/internships-fellowships
National FFA Organization
FFA makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
- To join FFA, you must be enrolled in an agriculture course at your school.
- Students pay annual FFA membership dues.
- FFA offers leadership development, agriculture and business programming, and scholarships for students continuing on with higher education.
- Program or Corse Information Contact: Steven Gass / (615) 532-2847 / [email protected]
- Tennessee FFA Association Contact: Stuart Watson / (731) 377-7555 / [email protected]
- www.FFA.org
Clean Memphis
FREE engaging environmental education to students (K-12) in the Shelby County and surrounding areas. In-class presentations and activities designed to reinforce the existing standards being taught at that time. Topics of discussion include: energy, water, recycling, landfills, resource use, health and nutrition, air pollution, climate change, ecology, biodiversity, etc. Clean Memphis also offers assistance in implementing a school-wide recycling program, a green team and assistance in becoming certified as a sustainable school by partaking in the Sustainable Schools Challenge.
- For more information visit: cleanmemphis.org
- Kristine Jacobs / 901-235-2416 / [email protected]
Jay Uiberall Culinary Academy at Knowledge Quest
The Jay Uiberall Culinary Academy allows high school students to explore the culinary arts and learn about the food cycle, from seed to table.
- Available to high school students who live in or are affiliated with the 38106 and 38126 zip codes.
- Located in South Memphis, serving the 38106 and 38126 zip codes.
- Free of charge during the school year and hosts a six-week summer camp with a paid stipend.
- Contact: Yolanda Manning / 615-838-3869 / [email protected]
- http://www.knowledgequest.org/juca/
The Dixon Gallery and Gardens
Founded in 1976 by Hugo and Margaret Dixon, the Dixon Gallery and Gardens is a fine art museum and public garden distinguished by its diverse and innovative programs in the arts and horticulture.
Come to the Dixon: Plan a field trip for your students to explore art and nature.
- Free with advance reservation
- Self-guided and guided tours (All grade levels)
- Group sketching (6th – 12th grade)
- www.dixon.org/educators
4-H
4-H is a global network of youth organizations whose mission is "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field of youth development".
- Ages 5-19
- Jim Todd / 901-752-1207 / [email protected]
- http://www.agricenter.org/4-h/
Agricenter International
Teachers are invited to bring their classes to the Agricenter campus for hands-on dynamic learning. Classes offered daily range from water experimentations and energy tours to exploring our cotton and corn fields and natural forest. We also offer annual programs that address renewable resources, environmental awareness, safety in our surroundings, and farm education. We emphasize job opportunities in agriculture business by introducing our youth to agriculture partners, colleges, and technical schools during these programs.
- Programs for all ages and grade levels
- http://www.agricenter.org/education/
Memphis Area Master Gardeners
Tennessee Master Gardeners are trained volunteers who help the local Extension Service share gardening information with the community. All volunteers are initially trained through 40 hours of classroom teaching and 40 hours of hands-on experience.
- $150 registration fee
- Application due July 31
- Also offers college scholarships
- Chris Cooper & Mary Wade / [email protected]
- http://www.memphisareamastergardeners.org/
Lichterman Nature Center
Urban Horticulture Programs: These programs will teach you how to attract wildlife to your backyard, restore native habitats, and learn about some of the plants and animals that also call Memphis and the Mid-south home.
- Field trips offered
- 901-636-2221 / [email protected]
- http://www.memphismuseums.org/lichterman-nature-center/
Memphis Area Beekeepers
We are a club of professionals and amateurs interested in beekeeping in and around the Mid-South. We are a diverse group, the one thing we have in common is that we are interested in bees and beekeeping.
- $12 annual registration fee
- Stuart Hooser / [email protected]
- http://memphisbeekeepers.com/
Memphis Agricultural Club
MAC has been a strong force in promoting the welfare of Mid-South agriculture through open and informed discussion of major farm matters. In addition, and perhaps most important has been the warm and abiding friendships formed among our membership.
- Meetings on the fourth Monday of each month at 12:00 noon at the Agricenter
- Meetings are free. Lunch is available for $10.
- 901-757-7777 / [email protected]
- http://www.agricenter.org/memphisagclub/
Tennessee Governor’s School for the Agricultural Sciences
Students spend their time focused on the importance of agriculture to the local, state, national, and international economies.
- For students in grades 10 or 11
- Dr. Joey E. Mehlhorn / (731) 881-7211 / [email protected]
- http://www.utm.edu/departments/tgsas/
Carpenter Art Garden
Working with the children of Binghampton to promote each one’s creative potential and self worth through exposure to artistic, educational, and vocational programs.
- Drop in on Tuesday afternoons
- Attendance is free
- Megan Banaszek / 319-981-0380 / [email protected]
- https://www.carpenterartgarden.com/
St. Jude’s Garden
Group (up to 25) volunteer opportunities at the St. Jude's garden on the St. Jude campus to help weed, water, and harvest produce for their commercial kitchen serving the patients.
- Volunteers must be 16+ years old
- Volunteers are asked to commit to 1-2 hours of service
- Mary Carnes / [email protected]
- https://www.stjude.org/get-involved/other-ways/volunteer-at-the-hospital/how-to-become-a-volunteer/group-opportunities/garden-project.html
Maine Coast Semester
Academically rigorous semester long program for high school juniors who live and work on an organic farm in addition to taking a full course load.
- For students in their junior year of high school
- K. C. Ford / 207-882-7323 x139 / [email protected]
- http://mainecoastsemester.org/
The Mountain School
A selective semester program for high school juniors. Students take academically rigorous classes while contributing to a working farm.
- 802-685-4520
- http://www.mountainschool.org/
Bobby Lanier Farm Park
A 10-acre education and demonstration center for sustainable living through agriculture and stewardship.
- Offers field trips and educational programming
- Joni Roberts / (901) 757-7378/ [email protected]
- www.thefarmpark.org
Strawberry Plains Audubon Center
Strawberry Plains Audubon Center offers hands-on learning experiences while meeting education curriculum standards. Students can investigate the unique natural and cultural histories of this region and learn about the beauty and importance of native plant gardens. Strawberry Plains introduces field trip participants to scientific inquiry.
- Field trips are offered, $5/student
- Group size is limited to 50 students
- Contact: 662-252-1155
- http://strawberryplains.audubon.org/
Arkansas 4-H Camps
Arkansas 4-H State Camping Program offers camping and training opportunities for youth 5-19 years old and adults.
- Entrepreneur camp, equine camp, STEM camp, forestry camp all offered for high school students.
- Creena Bosnick / 501-821-6884 / [email protected]
- https://www.uaex.edu/4h-youth/activities-programs/camps/13-19-year-olds.aspx
FSA Youth Loan
FSA makes loans to individual young persons for income-producing projects in connection with their participation in 4-H clubs, FFA, a Tribal youth group, or similar org. The project being financed needs to provide an opportunity for the young person to acquire experience and education in agriculture-related skills.
- Loans up to $5,000
- 615-277-2600
- https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/farm-loan-programs/youth-loans/index
American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture
Resources, lesson plans, activities for teachers who cover agriculture topics.
- Games, lesson plans, websites, and resource sheets.
- Julia Recko / 202-406-3737 / [email protected]
- http://www.agfoundation.org/
Arkansas Master Gardener
The University of Arkansas Master Gardeners sponsor events in a wide range of activities including educational seminars and workshops, youth gardening programs, plant therapy work with hospitals and nursing homes, community beautification projects all helping to disseminate horticulture information.
- Costs $75, applicants receive one day of training to get certified
- Application is due June 1 of each year
- 501-671-2000
- https://www.uaex.edu/yard-garden/master-gardeners/
Grow Memphis
Memphis Tilth's GrowMemphis Community Garden Program accepts youth volunteers as individuals or in large groups.
- Ages 14-18 for volunteering; we ask that all youth volunteers under the age of 18 be accompanied by an adult.
- Register to volunteer at https://givepul.se/iot33
- www.memphistilth.org
American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture
Resources, lesson plans, activities for teachers who cover agriculture topics.
- Games, lesson plans, websites, and resource sheets.
- Julia Recko / 202-406-3737 / [email protected]
- http://www.agfoundation.org/
Farm Bureau TN Mini Grants
Grants for farm tours and school gardens to teachers in TN.
- Earn up to $500 for a new garden in your school.
- Chris Fleming / (931) 388-7872, ext. 2759
- http://www.tnfarmbureau.org/grants-tours
SCS High School Internship
Dependent on funding, Shelby County Schools offers paid internships for students seeking job experience in their intended career field.
- 30 hours a week, $9/hour
- Runs for six weeks in the summer
- Reach out to Erma Carter, [email protected], for application materials and more information
Post-Grad Opportunities
Farm Bureau TN Internships
Farm Bureau Summer Intern Program is available to Juniors and Seniors enrolled in one of the following universities: The University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Tennessee Technological University, Middle Tennessee State University, and The University of Tennessee at Martin.
- Earn $4,000 & college credit
- Dan Strasser at 931/388-7872, ext. 2216 or [email protected]
Agriculture Future of America
AFA offers leader and career development training and academic scholarships for men and women pursuing a career in an agriculture-related field.
- Offers conferences, career advice, networking
- 816-472-4232 / [email protected]
- http://www.agfuture.org/
MANRRS
Our mission is to empower underrepresented students and professionals pursuing careers in agriculture, natural resources and related sciences industries.
- Offers college scholarships, hosts conferences, runs clubs for college students and young professionals
- (404) 347-2975 / [email protected]
- http://www.manrrs.org/
Thistle and Bee
Thistle & Bee exists to serve victims of human trafficking in West Tennessee. Our social enterprise is built around the manufacture and sale of products made with the honey and herbs produced in our apiaries and gardens.
- Internships available for school credit (undergraduate and graduate level)
- [email protected]
- http://www.thistleandbee.org/
Delta Cuisine
Delta Cuisine Commercial Kitchen and Business Incubator is a non-profit business incubator that focuses on start-ups and early stage food businesses.
- Located at ASU Mid-South in West Memphis, AR
- John Aucker / (870) 733-6755 / [email protected]
- https://www.facebook.com/Delta-Cuisine-Commercial-Kitchen-and-Business-Incubator-1482033318742228/
Food Corps
FoodCorps recruits talented leaders for a year of full time paid public service building healthy school food environments in limited-resource communities. FoodCorps connects kids to healthy food in school, so they can lead healthier lives and reach their full potential.
- Paid service year for those who are 18+ years old
- 212-596-7045 / [email protected]
- https://foodcorps.org/