MOUNT VERNON — The Green Teen summer internship program is an eight week paid internship for Knox County youth, ages 14 to 19.
The teens gain experience designing, planting and managing a garden plot at the Arch Park Community Garden and helping out at Community Roots and Faith Lutheran Community Garden.
You might encounter Green Teens doing food demonstrations at the Mount Vernon Farmers Market, helping out at the Fredericktown Farmer’s market or Senior Day at the Knox County Fair.
The teens also participate in educational sessions on nutrition, food safety, cooking, food preservation, shopping on a budget and resume writing.
An important aspect of the internship is to provide exposure to a range of green industry jobs and career pathways in food, agriculture and related fields.
Mike Dailey, a local agricultural soil consultant, shared his expertise with the teens and discussed a range of career pathways including soil science, testing and analysis to improve crop yields, and computer science jobs required in agricultural management and production.
Recently the Green Teens toured the Groovy Plants Ranch (GPR) to learn about greenhouse production for backyard growers of all things green and beautiful. GPR is located in Morrow County.
They grow 80 to 85 percent of their perennials, 60 percent of their annuals and offer customers a selection of over 70,000 garden plant varieties, including many native pollinator plants.
The teens also learned how to process a full chicken working alongside Chef Jared, Executive Chef and manager of the Alcove Restaurant.
Chef Jared shared his gardening background and passion for cooking. He talked about the range of food industry job opportunities that can lead to a career in culinary professions.
“Anyone with a passion for cooking and a strong work ethic will be successful in a culinary career,” he said.
You are invited to join the Green Teens at Arch Park for our Science in the Park on Thursday, July 16 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. SPI will lead participants on a hunt for the Hellbender.
Free fish nets will be available for children on a first-come, first-served basis.
Knox Community Hospital proudly supports the vibrant pulse of our community by sponsoring the Life & Culture section on Knox Pages, celebrating the stories and experiences that make our region unique.
