Want to put your graduate skills to work where food, climate, and community intersect? Community Garden Connections (CGC) is looking for motivated graduate students to help lead this hands-on initiative connecting people to local food systems, environmental education, and climate resilience in the Monadnock Region of southwestern NH. Whether your passion is garden education for all ages, outreach and communication, community organizing, or food justice—this position offers meaningful work with real community impact. 

We seek 2-3 outstanding students pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Studies, ideally with an emphasis on Environmental Education, at Antioch University New England in Keene, NH — a beautiful region two hours from Boston and four hours from NYC by car or train. This Graduate Student Assistantship places you at the intersection of scholarship and practice, working alongside faculty, fellow graduate students, and community members. 

Not yet in a graduate program? This assistantship can be a compelling pathway into environmental studies. We encourage anyone with a passion for food systems, environmental education, or community engagement to explore our graduate degrees and certificates available through Antioch’s Evironmental Studies Department and reach out with questions.

About CGC

CGC builds community resilience by expanding access to fresh food and fostering education around growing, cooking, and food justice. We support 80+ raised garden beds at local nonprofits and social service agencies, plus a 1-acre plus donation garden and apple orchard — rooted in a shared commitment to equity, climate adaptation, and community health. To learn more: https://www.antioch.edu/centers-institutes/keene-community-garden-connections/

What You'll Do

Co-Coordinators build relationships with garden sites and community partners, design and evaluate educational workshops and outreach, and manage budgets and supplies across multiple non-profit agencies and garden sites. Beyond these shared responsibilities, each coordinator takes ownership of a focus area shaped by their own interests and professional goals. Current focus areas include community outreach and communication (social media, newsletters, press, and signature events like our Summer Celebration and Harvest Festival); garden education (workshops, cooking classes, Community Soup Days, and school partnerships); food justice and belonging (monthly Food Justice gatherings, community events, and regional equity partnerships); and land stewardship at CGC's one-acre climate-resilient demonstration garden. When applying, let us know which area excites you most — or more than one.

What We're Looking For

• Strong communication, organizational, and time management skills
• Collaborative, yet self-directed, you are comfortable working with a wide variety of  community members, colleagues, and social agency contexts
• Interest in any combination of: environmental education, food justice, climate communication, or community outreach
• Program design and evaluation, social media or gardening experience a plus—but not required

The selected student is expected to enroll at Antioch University New England during either the 2026 Summer or 2026 Fall semester. It's not too late to apply for either! More details on our graduate programs: https://www.antioch.edu/academics/environmental-studies-sustainability/

Students at Antioch generally pay for at least part of their own tuition, but we also offer numerous university-wide grants and scholarships to defray tuition costs, which are detailed here: https://www.antioch.edu/admission-aid/financial-aid/scholarships-and-grants/. 

Come join us and integrate graduate-level thinking with grassroots community action. Build the skills, relationships, and portfolio that today's environmental professionals need — one garden at a time.

Compensation

• We offer $18.00/hour for up to 20 hours/week (funded for a minimum of three semesters, with potential eligibility of more)
• Because you can't grow food online, successful candidates must move to the Keene area to participate in person. 
• A housing stipend of $5,000 per year is offered to support students.
• CGC will match Americorps, FoodCorps and CityCorps Education Awards up to $6,000.
• Opportunities for professional development (attending conferences, workshop skill development, and trainings) are offered to staff to participate with costs paid by CGC.
• The position is open to both federal work-study and non-work-study students entering in Summer 2026 or Fall 2026.