Imagine Water Works

We are currently accepting applications for our Indigenous Youth Farmers Program.

Completing this application should take about 20-30 minutes. Applications are due by 11:59 PM on Friday, June 19, 2026. No farming experience required.

What is the Indigenous Youth Farmers Program?

• A unique opportunity for Indigenous youth to learn both urban and rural farming practices, meet and build community, and practice traditional lifeways centering Indigenous knowledge and values.
• Learn from local Indigenous teachers, Imagine Water Works staff, and each other.
• Attend 6 workshops, including two educational field trips.
• Co-steward The Imagination Farm with support from peers and mentors.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Louisiana youth, ages 16-24 with North, Central, or South American Indigenous ancestry. If you are unclear on this qualification please contact deja@imaginewaterworks.org
• No farming experience is required.
• If you are younger than 16 or are unable to fully participate, we welcome you to attend our field trips! To receive more details and an invitation to our two field trips, share your contact information with us here: https://forms.gle/TVnhvBeZfscnmu4M8.

What are the additional benefits?

• A $300 stipend at the end of the program
• A Certificate of Completion
• Food, snacks, and sport drinks while on site
• A sense of belonging and a “home base” at the farm, now and in the future, with continued mentorship from all who are connected to the farm
• Completion of the program qualifies each farmer for IWW’s Imagination Farmers Program, an ongoing paid opportunity to continue stewarding the Imagination Farm, and/or IWW’s Imagination Responder Program which activates during and after major hurricanes and floods.

What is The Imagination Farm?

The Imagination Farm (TIF) is a Two-Spirit, Creole Indigenous farm and sacred intergenerational space where those most impacted by climate change can explore, imagine, and share solutions for our future. TIF feeds both our stomachs and our spirits. We encourage experimentation, collaboration, education, imperfection, and creativity, as we collectively build in the midst of ongoing climate catastrophe. More about the farm can be found HERE.

Where do we meet? The Farm is located at 2718 Painters St., New Orleans. We will be going on site visits and will provide transportation between the farm and field trip sites within New Orleans and Terrebonne Parish, LA. Funds for transportation support are limited. We will do our best to meet everyone’s needs via ride shares and carpooling. Ride share support will be available for the following parishes: Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard. When is the program?

August-November 2026, plus graduation, with the opportunity to stay connected to volunteering and other paid opportunities through the Imagination Farmers Program and Imagination Responders Program.

What is the application timeline?

• Friday, June 19th @ 11:59pm: Applications are due.
• Early July: All applicants will hear back on the status of their application, and select applicants will be invited to the 2nd round.
• Late July: All 2nd round applicants will be notified, and select applicants will be invited into the program. All applicants will receive an invitation to our two field trips.

Use the form below to apply by June 19th. Loading…

This program is made possible by many Imagine Water Works friends, with leadership from Ida Aronson, Déja Jones, and Chenier “Klie” Kliebert.

Issues with the application? Try the direct link here: https://forms.gle/k4AHaVx4FZx85z2c7. How can I support this program?

Your support will help us pay for meaningful workshops, transportation, first aid, and farm tools, and will ensure that the program can thrive for years to come. To donate, use our donation link here and specify that your donation is for the Indigenous Youth Program. If you are a philanthropic organization and would like to partner with us to help support this program, please email klie@imaginewaterworks.org. 

Donate to support our work

The post Apply Now! Indigenous Youth Farmers Program appeared first on Imagine Water Works.