Farm Education Apprenticeship, Philadelphia, PA

Weaver's Way is Seeking a Farm Education Apprentice for 2014

Job Purpose: The Farm Education Apprentice will spend half the week farming, and half the week preparing for and running educational programs. The Apprentice will learn how to farm using pesticide free and chemical free methods. S/he will also educate youth on sustainable agriculture, nutrition and healthy living choices. Farm apprentices will learn class and tour group management.  Job Duties & Responsibilities: Farm work  (20 hours/week): Assist with production on small scale, diversified organic vegetable farms, including: weed, plant, and harvest at farms and greenhouse; learn about 100 varieties of vegetables grown; participate in pest management and season extension; aid in harvesting, setting up and selling produce at a weekly farmer's market; work with students to harvest for CSA, and maintain raised beds. Farm education programs (20 hours/week): Develop and write curriculum with Farm Educators; Help conduct educational group visits to the farm and assist with summer internship program; Prepare for and teach at “The Garden Club”- an after-school program for children at Stenton Family Manor, a Philadelphia emergency housing facility; Prepare for and teach at “Farm Club”- an after-school program for students at W.B. Saul High School; Manage volunteers while they work at the Children’s Garden, Stenton Family Manor or at Weavers Way CSA Farm at W.B. Saul High School; Assist in teaching students about farming and food justice.

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Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must be at least eighteen years old
• Prior experience in gardening and environmental education preferred
• Capable of lifting up to 30 lbs. and working under adverse conditions (heat, humidity, cold and rain)
• Able to complete and pass the PA Criminal Record, Child Abuse History and Federal Criminal History Record Information clearances
• Access to a vehicle is helpful, but not required

Skills/Attributes:

• Passion for social change and food justice
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Comfortable working with diverse populations 

Hours:     Estimated 40 hours/week, varying with the season (occasional evenings and weekends)

The approximate dates of employment for this position are April 1^st to November 15th.

To Apply:    Email cover letter and resume by December 30th to: alison@weaversway.coop with subject line: Farm Education Apprentice. No calls please.

About Weavers Way Community Programs:

WWCP’s mission is to build the Northwest Philadelphia community by fostering cooperative activities that support local food production, economic literacy, a sustainable environment, and healthy lifestyles. We envision a community where people have access to healthy food and lifestyles, and live in a healthful and sustainable environment; available land is used productively to meet common needs; low-impact and efficient modes of energy production and transportation are available; conservation and recycling is a way of life; and the cooperative business model is valued and practiced.

The farm education program consists of a 2.5 acre CSA farm at W.B. Saul Agricultural High School, a 1/3 acre children’s garden at Mort Brooks Memorial Farm at Awbury Arboretum, and a ½ acre community farm at Stenton Family Manor, a Philadelphia emergency housing facility where education and gardening is open to residents and community members.

In 2012, over 1400 youth and adults participated in WWCP’s education programs. A majority of those were school and community groups who participated in farm education or service learning activities at the farm. Education programs at Saul involve working with middle and high school students, while the other sites primarily work with pre-K through middle school.

In addition to education, produce that the Farm Educators grow is sold at farmers’ markets and to Weavers Way Coop. A substantial portion of the produce at Stenton Family Manor is used on site in the shelter’s kitchen where meals are served to over 200 people daily. Over 1,000 pounds of produce have been donated to Stenton in 2013, and over 400 pounds have been donated to students and staff at W.B. Saul High School.