Jobs: Veggielution Seeks AmeriCorps Members in San Jose, CA

We are now accepting applications one full time and one quarter time AmeriCorps position through the Silicon Valley HealthCorps, an AmeriCorps program in San Jose, CA. Veggielution operates a 1 acre farm at Emma Prusch Farm Park in San Jose, with a planned expansion in 2011. We empower youth and adults from diverse backgrounds to create a sustainable food system in San Jose. Our urban farm engages the community by providing access to healthy and local food, creating youth leadership opportunities, and developing creative solutions to social and environmental justice issues. The food we grow is donated, taken home by volunteers, sold at our sliding-scale Farmstand, or sold to local restaurants. Much of the farm work gets done during our volunteer workdays which are held at least twice per week and are open to the community. www.veggielution.org Our Members can expect to be fully integrated into the Veggielution team, where we emphasize open communication, innovation, and taking personal responsibility for your own success. We are looking for self-motivated people who are ready to become a major part of our farm community. Full Time Member: Farm Crew/VeggieYouth: This position is closely involved with running both the farm and VeggieYouth, a youth program for High School students. Our farming philosophy is based on community involvement. We work to involve as many volunteers into the farm as possible, and build leadership and ownership of the farm in our community. In addition to working as a part of the Farm Team, you will also work closely with the Youth Program Coordinator to help facilitate all VeggieYouth programs and lead the farm work aspect of the program.

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Duties will include:

• Help facilitate all VeggieYouth programs, including coordinating all farm work for the youth
• Help manage and run the farmstand and other food distribution efforts to low-income residents
• Work as part of the Farm Planning Team to organize all aspects of running the farm, such as crop planning, workday planning, and volunteer management
• Take responsibility for special farm projects such as worm composting, greenhouse operations, or chicken care
• Data entry such as sign in sheets, harvest logs,
• Blog about farm happenings (about 2 blogs per month)
• Help lead small groups of volunteers at most workdays except when youth program conflicts
• Attend staff meetings and other meetings relevant to your duties

The ideal candidate for this position has:

• At least one season of experience with sustainable farming
• Experience working with high school youth
• Comfort with facilitating groups of people
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Knowledge of current issues around food, health, and sustainable agriculture
• Articulate oral and written communication skills
• Enthusiasm and passion for Veggielution’s mission
• Fluency in Spanish or Vietnamese

This position has a one year term starting on Sept. 25th 2010 and ending on Sept. 22nd 2011. Full time Silicon Valley HealthCorps Members receive a living stipend, an education award, and health care.

To apply, contact svhealthcorps@healthtrust.org for an application.

Quarter Time Member: Community Education/Outreach

This position is focused primarily on educating the community. We serve the entire city of San Jose, with a focus on the neighborhood surrounding the farm, which is called the Mayfair neighborhood. This is a working-class community of more than 20,000 residents in east San José. The majority of Mayfair residents are first generation immigrants; mostly from Mexico, although there are an increasing number of families from Asia and Central America.

Duties will include:

• Coordinate tabling
• Coordinate and participate in one or more volunteer committees – current committees include Family Day, Community Engagement, and special committees for events such as volunteer appreciation
• Coordinate free gardening and cooking workshops
• Help coordinate Operation Frontline cooking classes for low-income families and adults
• Blog about your community education efforts (about one blog per month)
• Send out monthly newsletter
• Answering emails to the info@veggielution.org email address
• Update our Facebook and Myspace pages
• Participate in one volunteer workday per week
• Attend staff meetings and other meetings relevant to your duties

The ideal candidate for this position has:

• Knowledge of current issues around food, health, and sustainable agriculture
• Articulate oral and written communication skills
• Comfort in talking to groups of people
• Experience planning events
• Enthusiasm and passion for Veggielution’s mission
• Spanish or Vietnamese language skills

This position has a 6 month term starting on Sept. 25th 2010 and ending on March 25th, 2011, with the possibility of continuing for another 6 month term. You will be expected to complete 18-20 hours per week. Quarter time Silicon Valley HealthCorps Members receive a living stipend and an education award for completing 450 hours.

To apply, contact svhealthcorps@healthtrust.org for an application.