Temporary Hartford Food Project Intern - Keney Park Sustainability Project

The Keney Park Sustainability Project (KPSP) works to advance food access, environmental stewardship, workforce development, and community wellness in Hartford, CT. Through the Hartford Food Project, KPSP supports urban agriculture, farmers markets, food education, and community-based food justice initiatives in the North End and beyond.

The Hartford Food Project High School Intern will support KPSP’s summer food access and urban agriculture programming while participating in the Planting Seeds Internship Program, an intergenerational, food- and environmental-justice-focused internship sponsored by Wesleyan University’s Bailey College of the Environment.

This role is ideal for a Hartford-area high school student interested in food systems, environmental justice, community health, and hands-on learning.

Responsibilities include:

• Assist with urban agriculture activities (planting, harvesting, garden maintenance)

• Support Hartford Food Project programs such as farmers markets, food distribution, or community events

• Help with basic data collection, signage, and program setup/breakdown

• Participate in weekly Planting Seeds workshops focused on food systems, social justice, and community organizing

• Engage respectfully with community members, staff, and fellow interns

• Complete reflection activities as part of the internship program

Minimum Qualifications

• Current high school student (rising sophomore, junior, or senior preferred)

• Interest in food, environment, or community issues (no prior experience required)

• Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather

• Reliable, curious, and open to learning

• Ability to participate in required program workshops and orientation

Timeframe & Commitment

• Summer 2026 (exact dates aligned with the Planting Seeds program calendar)

• Combination of on-site work at KPSP and weekly program workshops

• Transportation and lunch provided during workshop days through the program

Schedule & Availability:

The intern is required to work 37.5 hours a week, with 30 hours at their site and 7.5 hours rotating around the state for the workshop times. The 30 hours at their site are flexible dependent on the sites needs.

All offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.

Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504 or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to Vice President for Equity and Inclusion, Title IX and ADA/504 Coordinator.

Wesleyan University complies with the Clery Act and maintains records of campus crime statistics and security policies. Copies of Wesleyan University’s Clery Act Report are available on request and online at https://www.wesleyan.edu/publicsafety/clery.html.

Experience is taken into consideration in the determination of salary offers.  For more information visit https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/handbook/compensation-practices/index.html

Wesleyan offers a broad range of employee benefits and development opportunities, including comprehensive group insurance plans, wellness programs and incentives, generous paid time off and retirement plans, flexible work schedules, employee and dependent tuition programs for those who qualify.  

Detailed information on the benefits of working at Wesleyan is located at: https://wesleyan.edu/hr/careers/prospective-resources.html.