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Nemas Gardens Youth Apprenticeship Program
Nemas Gardens offers a dynamic Youth Apprenticeship Program designed for Maryland high school students who are passionate about sustainability, environmental education, and hands-on learning. Through a blend of paid, real-world experience and guided instruction, apprentices build practical skills in urban agriculture, ecological design, and garden-based education while exploring meaningful career pathways.​
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As part of the Apprenticeship Maryland initiative, this program allows students to earn while they learn in a supportive, professional environment.
Who Can Join
This program is open to high school juniors and seniors, ages 16 and up, who are enrolled in a participating Maryland school system. Students must complete an Apprenticeship Agreement and provide parental consent to participate.
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What Apprentices Do
Apprentices complete a minimum of 450 hours of supervised, hands-on training across Nemas Gardens sites, including urban gardens, classrooms, and community spaces. Throughout the program, students actively engage in soil preparation, composting, seasonal planting, and crop rotation. They also develop skills in garden-based lesson planning, ecological design, and microclimate mapping.
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Beyond technical skills, apprentices contribute to community engagement efforts, support events, and document their work through visual storytelling, helping share the impact of urban agriculture with a wider audience.
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Learning Beyond the Garden
In addition to hands-on experience, apprentices complete one academic year of related instruction through Career and Technical Education programs or Nemas Gardens-led workshops. These sessions deepen their understanding of plant science, environmental literacy, curriculum development, and workplace safety, while also strengthening communication and leadership skills.
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Compensation and Support
Apprentices are paid hourly wages in accordance with Maryland labor laws and are supported by experienced mentors and instructional specialists. Students receive ongoing guidance, regular evaluations, and structured progress tracking to ensure meaningful growth throughout the program.
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Career Pathways
The program prepares students for a variety of careers in sustainability and education, including roles in urban agriculture, environmental education, landscape design, community garden coordination, and curriculum development. Apprentices gain both the technical knowledge and professional experience needed to pursue future opportunities in these growing fields.
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Why Join
Students who participate in the Nemas Gardens Youth Apprenticeship Program gain real-world experience that builds confidence, strengthens transferable job skills, and fosters a deeper connection to their communities and the environment. Along the way, they form valuable relationships with mentors and industry professionals while exploring college and career pathways in agriculture, education, and sustainability.
Program Standards and Compliance
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Nemas Gardens adheres to all guidelines established by the Maryland Department of Labor and the Apprenticeship Maryland Program. This includes official program registration, structured training plans, wage documentation, ongoing evaluations, and full compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity standards.
