Overview

CFET manages approximately 1/2 acre of gardens across three sites.  The soil used for growing our crops has been tested by a soil scientist to ensure that it is free from heavy metals.  Where levels have been unacceptably high we have built raised beds and filled them with clean soil.

Here is our main garden on Emerald Street:

We have a large greenhouse where we grow all of our own seedlings to plant in our gardens and share with community gardeners.

We also have a hoop house for extending the season for tomatoes and other heat loving crops:

Honeybees

Our orchard is home to european pear, plum, asian pear, fig, gooseberries, and hazelnut.  The orchard also serves as a home to our numerous bee hives which provide the our delicious Midas Touch honey!

Youth farming Internship

CFET’s Eco Internship program is an intensive youth development program for Camden youth ages 14-19.  We use urban gardening, cooking, and entrepreneurship as a vehicle to develop leadership, collaborative skills, and critical thinking. Through this program young people are employed by CFET to work in the gardens, run the Farmer’s Market, and develop innovative value-added products like their hot sauce – KAPOW! The Eco Interns also learn valuable lessons about nutrition, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and teamwork.

Internship Requirements

• Applicants must be Camden residents between the ages of 14 and 19
• Commitment to the entire program: The program runs from July 6 – August 20, 2021. If you have any conflicts, please let us know in advance.
• Attendance Policy: Eco Interns will only be granted 2 excused absences.  If you cannot be at work on time you must call at least 24 hours in advance. If an emergency arises, the Eco Intern must submit a written note from a doctor or teacher pertaining to the situation.

Youth Leadership Program

The Youth Leadership Program is open to those who have completed an Eco Internship and would like to return the following season.  During this second season at CFET, they serve an important mentorship and supervisory role with first time participants and help to oversee the program.  Youth Leaders work with the CFET staff to help develop and run the summer workshops, and plan and implement the garden seeding and planting schedule.  Interested youth must complete the fall program, which is held after school twice weekly and on some Saturdays during which we make our Kapow! hot sauce.  Youth Leaders are selected from this group and are expected to start working again twice weekly the following spring. This program is designed to challenge young people to further develop their self confidence, public speaking, and responsibility.