Started in 2016, the Green Team Job Training Program provides farm-based employment, work readiness training, job placement assistance, and mentoring for women facing or experiencing homelessness at our City Farm on 1300 South. The program utilizes a cohort-based model – developed with support from Climb Wyoming – that relies on the power of women working in groups.
Through on-the-job training and weekly life and job skills workshops, the program helps participants develop new skills and strengthen existing skills, cultivate strong work habits, build their confidence, develop key social and emotional skills, secure housing and permanent employment, and achieve other personal goals. Our program partners help connect participants to available resources, including housing vouchers. The program also helps participants improve their health and well-being by providing regular access to fresh produce and hands-on food preparation experience, as well as consistent physical activity and daily yoga and breathwork.
Annually, the program serves up to 12 women, with approximately 80% achieving stable housing and reliable employment after the program. Green Team program participants grow most of the seedlings sold at our annual Spring Plant Sale, as well as organic produce that feeds thousands of low-income individuals and families annually through WCG programs and community partnerships.
The program takes place at the 1-acre City Farm, located on City-owned land in Glendale. The farm is 100% solar powered and serves as a demonstration site for regenerative agriculture and permaculture techniques. Hundreds of community members visit the farm each year to participate in educational volunteer opportunities, tours, and research projects. City Farm is thus a unique gathering place for people of all backgrounds, including program participants, volunteers, WCG donors, aspiring urban farmers, etc. The interactions that occur on the Farm between team members and the broader community are invaluable to their success in building professional connections that can lead to future employment opportunities.
For more information about our Green Team Job Training Program, contact Job Training Program Director, Jackie Rodabaugh (801.948.0431;
Read an in-depth report of our Job Training Program here (compiled in 2021).
Are You Interested in Joining the Green Team?
Become a vital part of the team. Read all about the program, including answers to frequently asked questions.
Are You A Case Worker or Another Service Provider?
The Job Training Program staff, including Program Director Jackie Rodabaugh and Case Manager Jen Cornish, work closely with case workers, service providers, and other community services to provide women interested in the program with an opportunity to learn more, while women actively participating on the Green Team have extra support to achieve their goals. Due to the program’s structure, the Job Training Program is a natural fit to assist case workers and ensure women experiencing/facing homelessness are supported with a holistic approach.
If you would like to learn more about this programming and how it may benefit women within your caseloads or networks, please reach out to:
- Job Training Program Director Jackie Rodabaugh (801-948-0431;
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ) - Green Team Case Manager Jen Cornish (
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; 435-850-9329).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a typical day like in this program?
During training, you can expect to work hard and get your hands dirty! The work day starts with yoga and breathwork and a typical day might include weeding garden beds, planting seeds, harvesting vegetables and cut flowers, and turning compost piles. Lunch is provided every day and there are breaks built in, just like a normal work day. A big part of the program includes participating in “NOURISH Days” where you’ll participate in job skills workshops, enjoy guest speakers, and focus on your strengths and goals with our mentors. The work day is about 6.5 hrs long.
What kind of job can I expect to get after this program?
During training, you’ll work with our staff to create an Action Plan. We’ll help you consider past jobs, certifications you’ve held, and your interests as you make a plan for getting a stable job after graduation. You will also have access to a network of partner employers who are interested in hiring our graduates. In the past, Green Team graduates have gone on to work in healthcare, food service, retail, agriculture/farming, and get additional training and education.
Do I have to be unemployed to participate in the program?
No, you do not. Some women come to the Green Team under-employed and others decide to work multiple jobs while participating in our program. We know that everyone’s situation is different but ask that you are able to commit to a schedule of Tuesday through Friday for 16 weeks on the farm.
How long does the program last and what happens at the end of the season?
The program lasts for a period of sixteen (16) weeks. As we near the end of the season, our team will help you determine an Action Plan for your next steps. Even after you graduate, there is always a place for you at the City Farm. We welcome our graduates back for events and visits, and provide ongoing support to you.
Do I need to go through the program alone?
At WCG, we believe in the power of community, especially when going through challenges. The Green Team is truly a team - you’ll join a group of women and go through all of training together. Many of our program graduates remain friends long after graduation. We also have a team of staff members who are there for YOU throughout the season and beyond.
Do I need to be homeless to participate?
This program is intended for women facing homelessness. We know that homelessness can mean a lot of different things and that everyone’s situation is different. If you have questions about if you’ll qualify, please contact our team at 801.948.0431.
Do I get free housing through this program?
During the course of your season, our Case Manager will work alongside you as you navigate community housing resources and aim for stable housing. Housing is not automatically provided through our program, but we will help you find the right resources.
Where is the farm? Can I stop by and see it?
The City Farm is located at 743 W 1300 S, on property owned by Salt Lake City. We love showing people around our certified organic farm and ask that you make an appointment with Job Training Program Director Jackie Rodabaugh (801-948-0431;
Can I volunteer on the farm?
Absolutely! Volunteers are a huge part of what we do on the farm and we have regularly scheduled community work days. Please visit our Volunteer page to learn more about opportunities at the City Farm and to connect with our Volunteer Director.
I am an employer - how can I hire a Green Team graduate?
Thanks for your interest! The Green Team thrives on community connection and we provide easy pathways for employers to hire well-qualified graduates. Please contact Job Training Program Director Jackie Rodabaugh (801-948-0431;
- The Job Training Program is a transitional, hands-on employment opportunity for women who are making their way back into the workforce after a varied length of absence. While working at the farm, team members are encouraged to be curious, ask questions, and be mindful. Team members are also “building those muscles” when it comes to strong communication skills, conflict management, leadership, and working as part of a team, to name a few.
- Graduates of the Job Training Program have expressed a sense of personal growth and professional readiness due to their participation in the Job Training Program, and they more often than not have a strong desire to continue working in a job that is meaningful and exciting.
How to Support the Job Training Program
- Volunteer your time: Spend time working alongside the team in the garden, prepare a delicious lunch, lead a workshop and share your skills and knowledge, and provide mentorship for team members and graduates.
- Donate priority supplies: We need items like warm layers for early spring/late fall work, warm and waterproof footwear, and other seasonally appropriate workwear.
Job Training Program in the News
- Green Phoenix Farm Helps Homeless Women in Salt Lake Get Back on Their Feet Through Gardening, Sept. 2022
- Your Brain On Gardening: Nature's Way of Boosting Those Feel-Good Chemicals, Nov. 2020
- KRCL Radioactive, Dec. 2019
- The Green Team Farm: Tackling Food Insecurity in Salt Lake City’s West Side, Nov. 2019