Careers in Agriculture Summer Program

According to the 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture, Plymouth County had over 60,000 acres in agriculture with a market value of over 71 million dollars.  A large part of what makes our county so unique is the variation across the 26 towns.  From the “Cranberry Capital” of Middleboro to the oyster beds of Island Creek in Duxbury, our agricultural roots run deep.   Unfortunately, Plymouth County our farmers are aging and selling land because of high value and lack of employees wanting to get into agriculture. Our Careers in Agriculture Summer Program is a great way for teens to explore not just jobs related to farming but job skills that can help in any field.  Most importantly, your teen might just have some fun this summer meeting other people, helping in their community and gaining all sorts of new skills!

Ages:  13 -18 (must be entering 8th grade), open to anyone that lives in Plymouth County. 

Because space in this program is limited to 30 participants this first year, we ask that teens join us for a minimum of 8 hours or two program days this summer.   

Orientation:  Teens that plan on attending field trips or workdays at the greenhouse will need to join us for either in person or virtual orientation.  This will be one hour in length and will cover some of the expectations of the program and how to register.  Zoom Orientation is taking place on Tuesday, June 21st at 7pm.  The zoom link will be sent to you via email after you register.  In person orientation is taking place on Monday, June 27th at 7pm at our office at 44 Obery Street, Plymouth.  

Cost:  This program is open to any teen.  The cost is $40 which will register you into the 4H program for the year. If your teen is already registered, then the cost is covered.  Any teen that needs financial support for any reason will receive a waiver.  

Schedule:   

-Mondays: (7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8) Start your week off right by getting your hands dirty! Each week we will be meeting at the Plymouth County Center for Agricultural Education for field work in our vegetable garden on Mondays from 9am till 1pm.  Each Monday will also have either a small breakout activity with a focus on different job skills like how to apply for a job, interview or follow up for an interview or a meet and greet with someone in the Ag community to tell us about their job.   

-Wednesdays: (7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27, 8/3, 8/10) Each Wednesday we will be hitting the road to visit a different farm operation in our county.  These visits will include a mix of learning and working so plan to be dressed and ready to work. Drop off will be between 9am till 9:30am to allow for commute.  Program will conclude at 1pm and we will eat lunch together on the farm.  

-Fridays: (7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29, 8/4, 8/11) Fridays are going to be the best day of the week!  The morning will start at the greenhouse with harvesting any veggies that are ready to eat.  We will then wash and pack them and bring them across the street to the Plymouth Center for Active Living.  As part of their Free Food Friday program, we will deliver our veggies, help set up the program and support the seniors while they select their food.  We will also do our weekly check of the garden bed that is located at the CAL and we will have the chance to be social with the seniors present that day. 

Contact: If you have any questions about the program, feel free to contact Meg Riley, Agricultural Extension Educator at MRiley@plymouthcountyma.gov or 774-404-7022.

Register for Careers in Agriculture Summer Program here at this link:

www.cognitoforms.com/PlymouthCountyExtension/CareersInAgricultureSummerProgramRegistration