
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM
Each summer, a diverse group of youth experience hard, meaningful work on our farm and in the community.
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM
Each summer, a diverse group of youth experience hard, meaningful work on our farm and in the community.
The deadline for 2018 applications has passed. Applications for the 2019 SYP will open in late February.
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM
Each summer, a diverse group of youth experience hard, meaningful
work on our farm and in the community.
The deadline for 2018 applications has passed. Applications for the 2019 SYP will open inmate February.
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM
Each summer, a diverse group of youth experience hard, meaningful
work on our farm and in the community.
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM
Each summer, a diverse group of youth experience hard, meaningful work on our farm and in the community.
The deadline for 2018 applications has passed. Applications for the 2019 SYP will open in late February.
SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM
Each summer, a diverse group of youth experience hard, meaningful work on our farm and in the community.

Our vision is to create personal and
social change through hard, meaningful work.
Our vision is to create personal and social change through hard, meaningful work.
What does the Summer Youth Program (SYP) do?
The Food Initiative’s SYP connects high school students in grades 9th-11th from all over Clarksville/ Montgomery County and Fort Campbell. The youth work hard in our sustainable garden and the community at hunger relief organizations for four weeks over the summer. Each youth is sponsored by a business or willing so he or she may receive a stipend for their hard work.
Diversity is critical to the unique culture we’re seeking to create. We can see that racism and inequity persist in our society, and we believe that when people from diverse backgrounds learn to work together and engage in cross-cultural learning, they break down isolation, fear, and hatred. A nation with such diversity needs leaders and citizens who can thrive within a multicultural society and world.
For this very reason, we carefully select teenagers from a variety of economic, ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds to participate in our programs. We choose not to isolate one at-risk group to the exclusion of another. We want teenagers from all walks of life to work together, to learn from one another, and to create a safe and productive environment where people of all backgrounds feel invited and empowered to contribute fully.
Who are we looking to hire?
In order to be considered for a “crew member” position for The Food Initiative, you must meet the following requirements:
- Live and attend high school or homeschool in Montgomery County or Fort Campbell
- Are currently in grades 9th, 10th or 11th
- Be willing and able to committ to 100% participation during either the month of June OR July session (no one can work both)
What does it mean to work for TFI?
High school students hired by TFI, should expect to participate 100% during the Summer Youth Program (SYP). A work week is Monday-Friday with at least one field trip on a Saturday morning (you will know this date before you are hired). Each SYP session will last for 4 weeks. The dates of each session (June or July) will be listed on the application when you apply.
TFI provides transportation to and from the farm each day. No students are allowed to drive themselves. We will also provide TFI t-shirts, a notebook, pen, and water bottle for each crew member.
Thanks to our sponsors, each student will receive a stipend for their hard work each week.
If you have any questions about The Summer Youth Program you can email Regina Hampton at regina@thefoodinitiative.org.
What does the Summer Youth Program (SYP) do?
The Food Initiative’s SYP connects high school students in grades 9th-11th from all over Clarksville/ Montgomery County and Fort Campbell. The youth work hard in our sustainable garden and the community at hunger relief organizations for four weeks over the summer. Each youth is sponsored by a business or willing so he or she may receive a stipend for their hard work.
Diversity is critical to the unique culture we’re seeking to create. We can see that racism and inequity persist in our society, and we believe that when people from diverse backgrounds learn to work together and engage in cross-cultural learning, they break down isolation, fear, and hatred. A nation with such diversity needs leaders and citizens who can thrive within a multicultural society and world.
For this very reason, we carefully select teenagers from a variety of economic, ethnic, religious, and social backgrounds to participate in our programs. We choose not to isolate one at-risk group to the exclusion of another. We want teenagers from all walks of life to work together, to learn from one another, and to create a safe and productive environment where people of all backgrounds feel invited and empowered to contribute fully.
Who are we looking to hire?
In order to be considered for a “crew member” position for The Food Initiative, you must meet the following requirements:
- Live and attend high school (or homeschool) in Montgomery County or Fort Campbell
- Currently be in grades 9th, 10th or 11th
- Be willing and able to committ to 100% participation during either the month of June OR July session (no one can work both)
That’s it! We are looking to hire a diverse group of students from all over the community.
What does it mean to work for TFI?
High school students hired by TFI, should expect to participate 100% during the Summer Youth Program (SYP). A work week is Monday-Friday with at least one field trip on a Saturday morning (you will know this date before you are hired). Each SYP session will last for 4 weeks. The dates of each session (June or July) will be listed on the application when you apply.
TFI provides transportation to and from the farm each day. No students are allowed to drive themselves. We will also provide TFI t-shirts, a notebook, pen, and water bottle for each crew member.
Thanks to our sponsors, each student will receive a stipend for their hard work each week.
If you have any questions about The Summer Youth Program you can email Regina Hampton at regina@thefoodinitiative.org.

OUR EXPECTATIONS
HEALTH
LEADERSHIP
COMMUNITY
Community Involvement
Besides working on The Food Initiative farm, crew workers also spend some time helping in the community on a weekly basis. For many of the students this opportunity opens their eyes to new volunteer sources, learning something new about their community, or learning something about themselves they didn’t know.
Their involvement in the community ranges from serving and preparing hot meals at local hunger relief organizations, cleaning, to warehouse work, to planting, weeding and harvesting at other local farms. We partner with the following organizations during our Summer Youth Program:
Community Involvement
Besides working on The Food Initiative farm, crew workers also spend some time helping in the community on a weekly basis. For many of the students this opportunity opens their eyes to new volunteer sources, learning something new about their community, or learning something about themselves they didn’t know.
Their involvement in the community ranges from serving and preparing hot meals at local hunger relief organizations, cleaning, to warehouse work, to planting, weeding and harvesting at other local farms. We partner with the following organizations during our Summer Youth Program:

RELATED CONTENT
Sponsor a Youth
Each youth is able to participate in The Food Initiative’s SYP because of businesses and organizations who financially back the work of the student through a sponsorship.
EXPLORE
Field Trips
The Food Initiative offers fun and educational field trips for preschool, elementary and middle school aged kids during the school year.
EXPLORE
Cultivating Community
From corporate groups, to sports teams, to youth groups, our Cultivating Community Program offers a variety of activities that help and develop positive team dynamics.