Jobs: AmeriCorps Positions with Greater Lansing Food Bank, Michigan

Jobs: Demonstration Farm Coordinator and Garden Outreach Coordinator, Greater Lansing Food Bank, Michigan, 2013

Please see below for information about two AmeriCorps positions at the Greater Lansing Food Bank to start in October 2013. We are looking for a demonstration farm coordinator and a garden outreach coordinator. Resumes and cover letters are due by Aug. 23.  Demonstration Farm Coordinator We are seeking an AmeriCorps member to serve with the Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB), focusing on increasing our capacity to assist people grow fresh food and begin community gardens/farms. The AmeriCorps member will collaborate with staff (primarily Lansing Roots Program Manager) to engage, cultivate and educate specialized, individual volunteers and groups of volunteers for programming functions related to farming and gardening. The position will offer support to components of an incubator and training farm (Lansing Roots), now in its second season of production. Most service will be focused on our produce donation and demonstration farm plot, which models sustainable growing practices while producing food for the Greater Lansing Food Bank.  The position will shift focus seasonally, as appropriate and needed, while maintaining some core functions throughout the year. All tasks will be approached with the overarching theme of outreach, education and capacity building for the GLFB and its core functions, striving to increase access of fresh produce to those in need. We expect the Americorps member to model direct service by serving with and alongside volunteers and program participants.

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The member will:

·         Organize, schedule, and serve alongside volunteers to assist with the donation and demonstration farm at our Lansing Roots farmer training site

·         Organize, schedule or lead (as appropriate) a series of advanced classes and workshops targeted at the technical aspects of growing/farming

·         Assist in day to day farm operations

·         Develop educational materials to showcase best practices for sustainably growing fresh food

·         Assist with planning and maintaining the demonstration farm to maximize educational impact

·         Serve alongside the Lansing Roots Program Manager to ensure the delivery and distribution of fresh produce to those in need

·         Act as group and service leader liaison for workdays

·         Serve with the Lansing Roots Program Manager to recruit and develop a strong team of volunteers for long-term and/or specialized farm help

·         Continue to build outreach and education capacity through direct contact with community members

Qualifications:

·         Good general or technical  knowledge of farming

·         Interest in building a healthier food system, nutrition education and community development.

·         Comfortable speaking and presenting in front of groups

·         Experience interacting with individuals and groups in a supervisory role

·         Willingness and interest in interacting with all types of people, including low-income and socially-disadvantaged populations

·         Excellent communication skills and well organized

·         Ability to serve independently with adequate guidance

·         Self-motivation will increase possibilities of position

·         Willingness to learn new things and problem-solve creatively

·         Some evening and weekend obligations should be expected

·         Ability to farm outside in various climatic conditions

·         Ability to lift up to 35 pounds

Full-Time AmeriCorps Member Benefits: 

·         Training, support and professional development

·         Living allowance: $12,100

·         Education award: $5,550 at the completion of the service term (1700 hours)

·         Loan forbearance for qualified student loans

·         Eligible for health insurance with eye care and dental coverage.

For more information about the Greater Lansing Food Bank, please visit www.greaterlansingfoodbank.org

For questions related to this position, please contact Laura Wies – laura@greaterlansingfoodbank.org or 517-853-7813

To apply, send a resume and cover letter to Katie Ellero at kellero@ingham.org by August 23.

 

Garden Outreach Coordinator

The Garden Project, a program of the Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB), is seeking a full-time AmeriCorps member to serve as Garden Outreach Coordinator to our network of nearly 100 community gardens.  The goal of the AmeriCorps member will be to increase consumption of healthy foods and reduce food insecurity through gardening and food distribution.  The Garden Outreach Coordinator will perform a variety of duties to expand and enrich the services we provide to gardeners.  AmeriCorps members will model direct service by serving with and alongside volunteers and program participants.  We would expect the Garden Outreach Coordinator to serve cooperatively and creatively on a variety of tasks, including the duties outlined below and others, all with the overarching theme of outreach, education and capacity building for the GLFB.

AmeriCorps Members Will: 

·         Aid in the creation, expansion and maintenance of community gardens within our local network by providing individualized support to garden sites with the goal of making them more productive, successful and sustainable.

·         Train, support and model direct service at our Resource Center by providing gardening advice and aiding in plant, seed, and tool distribution.

·         Act as group and service leader for workdays, including planning and preparations.

·         Organize, schedule and serve with garden volunteers at the GP Demonstration Garden to propagate perennials, grow produce for donation, and demonstrate backyard vegetable production and neighborhood beautification.

·         Assist in documenting and evaluating Garden Project programs and sites.

·         Provide community education and outreach on resources and best practices through social media, electronic communication, public meetings and neighborhood groups.

·         Planning and support for workshops, events, fundraisers, tours, workdays and Garden Leader’s Trainings.

·         Aid in efforts to acquire garden resources.  Oversee seed procurement and seed starting by arranging logistics, materials, volunteer recruitment and training to ensure success of efforts

Qualifications:

·         Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.

·         Good general or technical knowledge of gardening and growing vegetables.

·         Willingness and interest in serving with all types of people, including low-income and socially-disadvantaged populations

·         Well organized and able to see projects through from start to finish.

·         Interest in community development and building a healthier food system for all people.

·         Reliable, self-motivated and completely trustworthy.

·         Able to serve independently, with adequate guidance, and within a team on multiple projects.

·         Some evening and weekend obligations are to be expected.

·         Ability to serve outside in various climatic conditions.

·         Valid Michigan driver’s license.

·         Ability to lift up to 35 pounds.

Full-Time AmeriCorps Member Benefits: 

·         Training, support and professional development

·         Living allowance: $12,100

·         Education award: $5,550 at the completion of the service term (1700 hours)

·         Loan forbearance for qualified student loans

·         Eligible for health insurance with eye care and dental coverage

·         For questions related to this position, please contact Julie Lehman at julie@greaterlansingfoodbank.org or (517) 853-7805.

·         To apply, send a resume and cover letter to Katie Ellero at kellero@ingham.org by August 23.