Training Programs

Gain hands-on skills in urban agriculture and garden education

Our Training Program offers applicants the opportunity to gain hands-on skills in urban agriculture and garden education through work at Rooted programs: Troy Farm, the Troy Kids’ Garden, and the Goodman Youth Farm. Trainees will choose a focus area: Urban Farming or Garden Education.

We have placed our training programs on hold for the 2023 season and so are not taking applications for them at this time. If you are interested in more information about Rooted’s training programs, please email [email protected].

Check back in early 2024 for information about how to apply for next year’s training program.

Learn more about
Urban Farming Training

Urban Farming Trainees will work primarily at Troy Farm. Troy Farm is a certified organic, diversified vegetable farm located on Madison's northside. Working side-by-side with farmers and staff, trainees learn small-scale, sustainable farming techniques applicable to direct-to-customer sales and wholesale production systems. Trainees can expect to gain experience in every aspect of small-scale vegetable production, from planning to implementation.

Learn more about
Garden Education Training

Garden Education Trainees will work primarily at the Troy Kids' Garden and Goodman Youth Farm. Both programs serve children and youth ages 3-18 with outdoor, garden-based learning. At each site, trainees lead small groups of children in gardening, cooking, animal care, outdoor art, and other hands-on activities. Garden Education Trainees can expect to gain experience developing and implementing garden-based curricula and activities, while developing a working knowledge of vegetable gardening and small-scale farm management.

Reflections from past trainees

"My time working at [Rooted] completely changed my career path. After seeing the power of the seed to table mission played out every day with the kids on the farm, I cannot imagine working in any other field. And the mentorship I received as an intern set me up to do just that."
–Garden Education Trainee
"With the skills I learned I DEFINITELY am prepared to start a small farm of my own. Additionally, I have confidence in my abilities to move up as an apprentice or crew lead at another farm. The formal teachings and ability to bounce ideas and thoughts throughout the season has strengthened my confidence as a farmer."
–Urban Farming Trainee
"The community at Troy is one of the best parts. We're all working as a team to produce a great result, and we're all invested in that outcome. I really value the culture of discussion, in which everyone had a chance to offer their input, express their interests, and try a new method. This helped us all learn from our mistakes firsthand and work as a team to complete the necessary tasks.
–Urban Farming Trainee
"I definitely feel better equipped to facilitate garden education and on a broader level, education of young people as a whole. I came into the internship knowing little about horticulture and how food can be used, and now I feel like I could run a program on my own."
-Garden Education Trainee
"I learned both the theory and practice of effective small-scale organic agriculture, via weekly classes and the milieu of efficient, beautifully simply systems that governed our day-to-day labor. More than this, I learned the joy of meaningful work; work done with my hands in connection with the earth and in conjunction with a community.
-Urban Farming Trainee
"I would definitely recommend this internship to others who are seeking to get a hands-on farm experience, as well as engage with children. I always left the farm feeling very full and content, knowing that I made a difference in a child's life, and put forth my own hard work to make a positive interaction with nature. This has been one of the best teams I have worked with. I felt supported at work and encouraged to grow. It felt like family."
-Garden Education Trainee
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