High School Apprenticeship - Hydroponics Farm Technician

The Hydroponics Technician Apprenticeship program is a paid, work-based training program designed to prepare high school students for entry-level careers in controlled environment agriculture and ag-technology. Apprentices receive hands-on training in indoor hydroponics systems while developing essential workplace skills aligned with industry needs.

Location: Produce’d Farm – Atlanta, GA
Hours: 15 hours/week
Compensation: $15/hr

Why This Role Matters
If you’re a high school student who wants to serve your community through agriculture, this apprenticeship gives you a real chance to make an impact. You’ll help grow food that supports schools, families, and neighborhoods, and learn how modern indoor farming works. You won’t just pick up technical skills; you’ll learn how small businesses operate by working directly with entrepreneurs who built Produce’d from the ground up and currently maintain it.

What You’ll Do

• Plant, maintain, and harvest crops using our GrowBlock hydroponics systems
• Monitor water, nutrients, and system conditions (we train you)
• Help prepare orders for subscription customers
• Support tours and hands-on learning activities with students
• Keep equipment clean and follow food-safety guidelines
• Record simple farm data and track progress
• Work side-by-side with our Farm Manager and learn the rhythm of indoor agriculture

Life Lessons You’ll Gain

• Responsibility: Crops depend on consistency. You’ll learn to manage time and stay accountable.
• Problem-Solving: Systems don’t always behave. You’ll learn to troubleshoot calmly and logically.
• Teamwork: You’ll support others and see how collaboration keeps an operation running.
• Entrepreneurial Thinking: You’ll learn directly from founders, how decisions are made, how challenges are handled, and how to turn ideas into real solutions.
• Career Skills: Communication, professionalism, safety, and technical confidence that transfer to any job.

What We’re Looking For

• A high school student (16+) who enjoys helping others
• Curiosity about plants, sustainability, science, or hands-on work
• A positive attitude and willingness to learn
• Reliability because people and plants count on you
• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. and work on your feet

Training You’ll Receive

• Hydroponics and indoor farm operations
• Food safety and responsible handling
• Basic equipment and tool use
• Workplace and career-readiness training aligned with CareerRise competencies
• Exposure to real business operations and entrepreneurial decision-making

Future Opportunities
This apprenticeship builds a pathway into roles such as: Farm Technician I, Hydroponics Assistant, or STEM Education Support, fitting into Georgia DOL/TCSG agriculture and environmental career tracks.