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Youth Horticulture Apprentice Program
2007 Youth Horticulture Apprentices
We'll be hiring for the 2008 season beginning in May.
Check back in May for updated information. In the meantime, 2007 brochure and application for reference
Download the Program
Brochure
Download an Application
For more information about applying to be a Youth Horticulture Apprentice, contact the Ithaca Children's Garden at 272-229 ext. 122 or send email to ithacachildrensgarden@cornell.edu.
Work hard, Learn a lot, Have fun!
The Youth Horticulture Apprentice Program (YHAP) is a youth development and workforce preparation program for teens ages 14-18. The program teaches work place skills, fosters personal growth, and introduces youth to career opportunities within the horticulture industry.
The YHAP participants learn science and horticultural job skills through a hands-on, tiered mentoring program centered around site development at the Ithaca Children's Garden. The YHAP teaches youth to become positive citizens, to work as part of a diverse team, increase their civic pride, and become competent and proud employees.
The program employs a tiered-mentoring system. The program is managed by an adult coordinator with the assistance of a college student mentor.
The Program
Youth apprentices employed with the YHAP engage in four types of activities during the program: Everyday Tasks, Site Projects, Community Projects, and Off-Site Trainings.
Everyday tasks include learning the basics of horticulture: watering, weeding, planting, mulching, and general plant care. Apprentices are the primary caretakers of the Garden during July and August.
Site projects add depth to everyday tasks by engaging apprentices in the planning and decision-making process. These projects may require creativity (designing a new garden bed) or problem solving (laying a mathematically correct labyrinth) and generally take several days to complete. Some site projects are permanent elements of the Garden outlined for Phase 1 construction.
Community projects can happen on or off-site and allow apprentices to interact with other members of the community. In the past apprentices have cared for "Welcome to Ithaca" signs, created gardens at the Farmers Market and Reconstruction Home, and hosted activities for Cass Park Day Camp.
Off-site trainings focus on topics not easily taught at the Ithaca Children's
Garden. These trainings often introduce career opportunities in the horticulture
industry as well as teach new skills. Topics include soil science, compost,
nursery management, farming, orchard production, greenhouse growing, and
plant propagation.
How to Apply
Youth interested in applying for an apprentice position should contact Leigh MacDonald, ICG Education Coordinator (607-272-2292 ext. 122 or ithacachildrensgarden@cornell.edu). Apprentices are hired via the Ithaca Youth Bureau's Youth Employment Services (YES) and Joblink through Tompkins County Workforce New York. Funding for youth unable to go through these two agencies is sometimes available through the Ithaca Children's Garden. Look for more details in May or check out 2007 Program Brochure.
Season by Season: YHAP from 1999 to 2006
The Youth Horticulture Apprentice Program is the Ithaca Children's Garden's longest running program. Take a look at all our apprentices have done over the last eight years. Season by Season
Support the YHAP
There are many ways to support the YHAP. Funding is needed to pay apprentice wages, provide them with t-shirt uniforms, and a set of tools. If you're interested in sponsoring an apprentice, please contact Leigh MacDonald-Rizzo at 607-272-2292 or ithacachildrensgarden@cornell.edu.
In-kind donations of quality plant materials and new or gently used tools are always welcome.
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615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca, NY 14850-3555. 607 272 2292, fax: 607 272 7088