Shefa Teen Programming
שפע, or Shefa - Hebrew for Abundance – is a paid teen apprenticeship centered on meaningful work outside, community building and Jewish Land Justice values.
We are excited to announce a new format for Summer Shefa at Abundance Farm! This summer we are welcoming both new and returning teens to work alongside each other on our community farm to help grow food for our community while having fun outside together. Activities will include learning ecologically integrated farm skills like building soil, low-impact crop management, pollinator plant care, harvesting medicinal and food crops and preserving crops for future enjoyment. In addition to these skills, teens will spend time each day exploring topics of food and land justice through the lens of Jewish tradition. Jewish background is not required! In fact we enthusiastically welcome people of all cultures to contribute their perspectives.
Applications for Spring and Summer Shefa are now closed.
Want to get paid to work outside while building the skills to create a more beautiful, just, and sustainable world?
Join us for one of our many Shefa program offerings!
Shefa Trainees is a 3-week, hands-on, paid summer internship for young people entering 8th-10th grade who have never participated in Shefa programming before. Shefa at Abundance Farm is a paid internship, and participants receive a stipend of $25/day.
We are offering two sessions of Shefa Trainees this year. Details for 2024:
Session One: July 8-26, Monday through Friday from 8 AM - 12 PM
Session Two: July 29-August 16, Monday through Friday, 8 AM - 12 PM
Applications for both sessions are now due by Aprl 22 at 5 pm. In the application, applicants will sign up for a group interview time. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by May 10.
Shefa Apprentices is a 6-week, hands-on, paid summer internship that meets at Abundance Farm and on local partner farms. This program is intended for past participants of Shefa at Abundance Farm, though young people entering 11th and 12th grade who have not participated in Shefa programming before are also welcome to apply. Shefa Apprentices is a paid internship, and participants receive a stipend of $35/day.
Details for 2024: July 8-August 16, Monday through Friday from 8 AM - 12 PM
Applications are now due by Aprl 22 at 5 pm. In the application, applicants will sign up for a group interview time. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by May 10.
Spring Shefa is a 5-week, after school program for past participants of Shefa programs that meets on Abundance Farm on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from 4 - 6 PM.
This year, Spring Shefa will begin on May 7th and end on June 5th. Spring Shefa interns will be paid $15/hour.
Fall Shefa is an after school program for past participants of Shefa programs at Abundance Farm. Fall Shefa interns will be paid $15/hour. Applications for Fall 2024 will open in Summer 2024.
Core Components Shefa Teen Programs
Meaningful Work Outside
Participants will learn and practice:
Seeding, planting, plant care, harvesting, mulching, seed saving, and compost production;
Growing food to share with our community;
Working outside in all kinds of weather: hot, rainy, muggy, and cold!
Community Building
Participants will engage in the work of:
Developing personal and community practices in reflection, awareness, and growth;
Exploring personal social identities and how they relate and intersect with our food system and community;
Developing leadership skills and exploring our capacity to create change at Abundance Farm and in the wider local food system
Jewish Food Justice
Participants will engage with questions such as:
What is food justice?
What can Jewish tradition teach us about food justice?
How can we be part of building a more just food system?
Shefa is for participants of any or no faith backgrounds.