Can You Dig It?

Here at Veggielution, our mission is to empower YOUTH and adults from diverse backgrounds to create a sustainable food system in San Jose. We strongly believe in the power of youth and the importance of bringing folks together to work towards change. Our Dig Crew program works with local high school students to create a positive community that centers around shared work, food, and land.

Need a Summer Job?

Dig Crew is a summer program for high school students interested in learning about agriculture while working on our 6 acre community farm. Any student entering the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grades in the fall is eligible to apply for the Dig crew. The program runs for 8 weeks, meeting Wednesday - Friday, with a few Saturday workdays and field trips.

You will work with Veggielution staff members, other high schoolers, and volunteers to grow, harvest, cook and eat some delicious, locally grown produce. You will also learn about sustainable agriculture, health and nutrition, social justice, and environmental issues. Each week you will get to take home produce for yourself and your family. This program involves lots of farm work and participants are paid a stipend for their contributions to the farm. You will be paid a weekly stipend of $75, so that’s $600 total. We work hard and we play hard!

As a summer Dig Crew member, you will learn important job skills while having an awesome time. We will spend the summer creating change in our community by helping provide healthy, local food to residents who need it.

How To Apply

Applications open March 12th and are due by April 9th! -Apply Now!

1) Review all of the information on this page. Be sure that you are able to commit to the given dates without being absent more than 3 times.
2) Complete and submit the Application by April 9th.  Fill this application out: DIG CREW APPLICATION, this application will be submitted online.
*We can also accept printed applications sent to: Monica Benavides c/o Veggielution Emma Prusch Farm Park 647 South King Road San Jose, CA 95116
 3) Find a teacher that knows you well to fill out the Teacher Recommendation form online by April 9th. Have a teacher fill out this recommendation: TEACHER RECOMMENDATION. Make sure to ask them in advance (1-2 weeks)!
 4) You will get an email from us by April 12th confirming that we have received your completed application, and to set up an information session and group interview time between April 23rd-26th. This is just a chance for you to see the farm, and for us to get to know you better.
 5) Final notification will made by May 1st.

Youth Leader

If you have done Dig Crew before and want to take a leadership role
Please check out our Youth Leader Information.

Dates

June 19, 2013 - August 9, 2013 

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:30am-3:00pm

Plus: 3 Saturdays (7/27 - Farm Olympics. Additional Saturday dates to be determined)

Benefits

  • Learn how to grow food
  • Make a difference in your community
  • Bring home produce for your family every week
  • Learn culinary skills
  • Earn $75 each week
  • Receive a personalized letter of recommendation
  • The experience you gain will be a great addition to your job and college applications.

Hear From Our Dig Crew

“We’ve grown so many familiar (and unfamiliar) things here; it almost feels like another home.  Food brings me here to work; food brings us here to eat; food ties the community together.  I’ve learned to cook for myself and my family with what I have.  I’ve learned how onions and garlic and squash grow.  I’ve learned and plotted seasonal growth, I’ve learned the lay of the land and stuck my bare hands in the earth.”

“Being in Veggielution is like having another family.  We all learn from each other and at the end of Saturday we eat together and talk about our day learning how to grow and harvest your food.”

“Veggielution is amazing because it has allowed me to learn many things such as the history of food, activism, and public speaking.   We are youth ready to take on the world and we are hungry for change.”

“Veggielution has changed me, I am proud to say that I do not shy away on topics concerning food justice.  I have proven to myself that I have not only a good work ethic but also that I have leadership skills and a good attitude and passion for food and social justice.  I hope programs like Veggielution continue because they must in order to raise awareness and provide a hands on learning and growing experience.  Thank you Veggielution for helping me grow as a person.”

“There really is some sort of energy that brings out an extraordinary side in all of us”.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Just like Aretha Franklin, we’re all about it here at Veggielution. We hold respect for ourselves, each other and the property as our number one guideline in all that we do. This ensures that everyone feels comfortable and can have a good time. In order to do that, we all have to agree to certain standards of how we will act towards ourselves and others. So, we created some guidelines. On the first day, we will discuss guidelines to create an environment that is comfortable and fun for everyone. In order to become a part of the Veggielution community, you will be asked to agree to these guidelines in order to create a safe, fun environment for everyone.

Absences

Everyone is allowed 3 excused absences. An absence is “excused” when you call the office 24 hours in advance at (408) 634-4999. You will not be paid for days you are absent. Family vacations should be taken before or after the program dates, not during, to avoid missing any part of the program.

Summer Stipend

You will receive a stipend of $75 per week, barring any deductions for absences or violating our agreed upon community standards. Stipends will be paid in one check at the end of the summer program.

Coming Up

Starting this fall is our Fall Dig Crew program. Those who have already participated in the summer Dig Crew are welcomed to join us for our fall after school program. In this program, youth will return to the farm to learn first hand about socially and environmentally responsible entrepreneurship ventures. Youth will be able to work on a micro-enterprise independently, or with a team of peers, depending on their interests, learning skills in project/business planning and implementation. More details to come!

Contact

Monica Lisa Benavides
Education Director
monicalisa@veggielution.org
(408)634-4999