Community Garden & Orchards Intern - Summer 2026

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

Food Well Alliance (FWA) is a collaborative network of local leaders working together to build equitable and thriving community gardens, urban farms, and orchards across metro Atlanta. FWA’s mission is to provide resources and support to local growers to connect and build healthier communities. Our vision is an Atlanta that is locally grown and community connected.

FWA was founded in 2015 when Jim Kennedy, chair of Cox Enterprises, and Bill Bolling, founder of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, had an idea to build healthier communities across metro Atlanta by connecting and supporting members of our local food movement. Today, we support more than 300 gardens, farms and orchards in Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, and Clayton counties. We accomplish our work through two primary program areas:

1. Resource Center - We provide metro area farmers, gardeners and orchard stewards with essentials for success: tools, training, mechanical assistance, labor teams, tractor support, compost, seeds, seedlings, saplings, grants, and more.
2. Policy & Planning - We bring local government leaders together with residents and community leaders to develop plans that bring urban agriculture into city planning processes in partnership with the Atlanta Regional Commission.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Food Well Alliance is seeking a Community Garden & Orchards Intern for Summer 2026 to support our organization's community garden programs. The Community Garden & Orchards Intern, reporting to the Sr. Manager of Community Gardens & Orchards, will immerse themself in the local food and urban agriculture movement and play a key role in leading two volunteer shifts per week. The Community Garden & Orchards Intern will also play a key role in supporting the Community Orchard Project.

Additionally, they will learn diverse food production techniques and distribution models, become acquainted with the operating structure of small nonprofits, and develop data collection skills. Ideal candidates for this role should be hands-on, self-directed, and a good team player.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Harvest and distribute fresh nutritious food to people in need;

• Learn and apply safe field food handling techniques;
• Wash, pack, weigh harvest;
• Distribute through partner agencies;

Function as Community Garden Volunteer Team Leader;

• Perform administrative functions of volunteer administrator;
• Instruct and lead volunteer teams at urban garden sites;
• Promote proficient communication amongst the team / volunteers;

Support the Community Orchard Project;

• Site visits to past orchard installations, including light maintenance;
• Research and collect data on legacy orchards planted over the past ten years;
• Assist with educational workshops as assigned;
• Conduct in-person surveys with FWA-affiliated community gardeners.

REQUIREMENTS

• Availability for the 2026 summer, preferred time frame is June 8-July 31, with optional extension;
• Ability to work 35-40 hours per week with availability Mon-Fri, with some exceptions;
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors, as assigned;
• Appropriate dress which includes business casual in the office and at events & casual, protective and weather-appropriate clothes in the garden;
• Reliable transportation to work.

COMPENSATION

Compensation for this position is $20/hour paid bi-weekly with an optional mileage reimbursement.

DIVERSE CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Food Well Alliance is an equal opportunity employer. We are a community that is proud to represent different racial, socio-economic, gender, and other identities. Our diversity as a community is our strength, driving our ability to be empathetic, visionary, and effective leaders in the local food movement and our city.