New Farming and Food Systems Internship and Job Postings (6 Positions)
1) INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
University of Vermont 4-H Youth Agriculture Project Summer Work & Learn Crew Leader
Summer Work and Learn seeks one more crew leader to head up a crew of teens (6-10 youth age 14-21) on and off our Brattleboro farm. SWL helps youth develop life and job skills like communication, teambuilding, and leadership through hands-on learning about food, nutrition, and agriculture. A background in farming and/or working with youth is preferred, in addition to a
willingness to learn and teach, work hard, and enjoy being part of a team. Crew leaders will receive a weekly stipend, practicum credit if applicable, and free veggies from the field.
More info: https://www.uvm.edu/extension/youth/?Page=yap_opportunities.html#employment
Application deadline: Friday, March 26, 2010. To apply: please submit your cover letter, resume, and contact information for two (2) references to: Liz Kenton, ekenton@uvm.edu, 802-257-7967 ext. 18.
The Public Health Institute (PHI) is a large non-profit public health organization conducting a broad range of public health research, training, and technical assistance programs in California, throughout the nation, and around the world. PHI is seeking a part time temporary Research Specialist I for the Planning for Healthy Places program at Public Health Law & Policy (PHLP). This position is located in Oakland, CA.
Public Health Law & Policy (PHLP) pioneers innovative ways to leverage law and policy to improve public health. We provide practical legal and policy tools – including model laws and policies, fact sheets, FAQs, and toolkits, as well as tailored trainings and one-on-one consultation – to help make healthy communities the norm, not the exception.
PHLP’s staff attorneys, urban planners, and policy analysts partner with local, state, and national leaders to develop legal and policy solutions to public health challenges. Drawing upon an extensive network of scholars and scientists, PHLP identifies how law and policy can best influence health outcomes. We work with advocates, community leaders, health and planning agencies, public and private attorneys, and many others to develop practical tools accompanied by customized trainings and technical assistance. We capture and share the learning that comes from implementing new policy strategies in local communities and integrate these results to develop future solutions and support.
PHLP specializes in laws and policies that affect chronic disease with a particular focus on addressing health disparities in low income and communities of color. We are breaking new ground by creating land use, economic development, and redevelopment tools that can reshape urban and rural communities to improve health outcomes through the planning and development process. In many communities, the healthy choice is often not the easy choice – and we see law and policy as critical tools to ensure that all communities have access to safe, vibrant, and healthy environments. For more information, visit our website at www.phlpnet.org
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Research and writing on a variety of cutting-edge redevelopment, economic development, and land use policy tools as they relate to access to healthy food, opportunities for physical activity, and other public health issues
- Provide research, analysis, and information to strengthen state and local laws and policies to create healthy, sustainable communities
- Assist Planning for Healthy Places team in the development of tools and resources that can be disseminated to our network of constituents and partners
3) Farm Fresh Rhode Island is seeking a Program Coordinator for our Healthy Foods, Healthy Families program.
This position is 20-25 hours a week from mid June through October 2010. If other funding comes in we may be able to keep this person on staff during the late fall/winter, but that is to be determined. The Program Coordinator will work directly with Farm Fresh RI’s Program Director and Outreach Director to implement Healthy Foods, Healthy Families.The Healthy Foods, Healthy Families program offers a curriculum of nutrition education through fun, interactive activities for both parent and child. The curriculum also includes cooking demonstrations featuring healthy recipes and sampling of fresh produce. Low-income families, identified through their participation in WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant, and Children) or SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), sign up at the farmers market for the program. They commit to at least three weeks of the curriculum. Families receive a new item to help them use more fruits and veggies for each week they complete:
- Week 1: Recipe book (PDF) in Spanish and English
- Week 2: Canvas shopping bag
- Week 3: $25 in Fresh Bucks (coins that can be used to purchase fruits and vegetables at farmers’ markets).
From July 13 to September 26, the Healthy Foods, Healthy Families program will be offered in English and Spanish to low-income families every week at these markets. Every WIC and EBT client is welcome to participate and can sign up the same day right at the market:
- Armory Park (West End of Providence)
- Broad St. (South Providence)
- Pawtucket
- Woonsocket
The Program Coordinator must:
- Speak English and Spanish fluently
- Have experience in community education (adult, child, or both)
- Have a knowledge of nutrition, cooking, and especially using locally-grown fruits and vegetables
- Have some experience managing people or programs
- Be comfortable with basic research techniques; be able to design surveys in order to evaluate the success of the program
- Have their own transportation and be able to work evenings and weekends. (Tuesday 4-7, Thursday 3-7, Saturday 9-noon, Sunday noon-3)
To apply please send a resume and letter of interest to Christie Moulton christie@farmfreshri.org by April 1st.
Hours: 40 hours/week occasional weekends, holidays and evenings
Salary: $28,165-$30,614 annually commensurate with qualifications and experience
Benefits: Health reimbursement, 16 days vacation, 6 days sick leave and 9 days paid holiday (under review)
Reports to: Natural Bridges Farm Manager
Job Category: Supervisor
Area of Focus: Homelessness, Job training, Farming and Agriculture, Social Entrepreneurship, community
Applications: Mail resume, cover letter and contact information for three references to Darrie Ganzhorn, Executive Director, P.O. Box 617, Santa Cruz, CA 95061 or email to darrieg@homelessgardenproject.org. Deadline for receipt of resumes: March 17, 2010
Description:
The Homeless Garden Project (HGP) is a 20 year-old nonprofit corporation based in Santa Cruz, CA dedicated to improving life by bringing together people from throughout the community in meaningful activities, teaching principles and practices of environmental, emotional, and economic sustainability, and providing work experience and wages for those who are homeless.
HGP seeks an experienced and dedicated individual to assist with the operations of the agriculture-based job-training program. We specifically seek an enthusiastic and outgoing person skilled in horticulture, program development, marketing, human relationships, and building partnerships. The ideal candidate will have a sincere commitment to ending homelessness and have experience working with individuals facing homelessness and/ormental health challenges.
Responsibilities:
Under the general supervision of the Farm Manager, the Supervisor assists in planning and implementation of all aspects of the program, to include production, and marketing for Natural Bridges Farm, Homegrown Gardens, and Women’s Organic Flower Enterprise. The Supervisor is directly responsible for the job-training component of the program.
Job Training
- Responsible for hiring, and supervision of trainees participating in job training program.
- Planning, implementation, and supervision of our job-training program. This involves daily infield teaching and maintaining a safe, productive work site.
- Develop and implement lectures and hands-on training programs for trainees; training in general work skills and behaviors such as, problem solving and social skills.
- Conduct training in horticulture skills such as propagating and tending annuals and perennials, composting, bed preparation, irrigation.
- In coordination with the Farm Director, daily management of work crews and assignment of garden duties to trainees, interns, volunteers, and community service workers.
· Conduct regular evaluations of clients’ progress in technical and general work skills.
- Facility quarterly meetings with trainees and individual meetings as needed.
- Serve as a positive role model
- Provision of meals and oversight of kitchen
Supervision
· Assist in the supervision of trainees, interns, and volunteers
· Enforce the policies of the Homeless Garden Project, including reliability, tardiness, and drug/alcohol abuse
· Provide support to help each trainee meet their personal goals that increase their long-term personal and economic stability
· Share with Farm Manager the performance of quarterly, confidential progress “check ins”
· Facilitate weekly circle meetings of staff and trainees
Farm Production
· Assist with planting, maintenance, and harvesting of all farm products.
· Assist in the planning and implementation of all production goals for the farm.
· Jointly responsible for the development and implementation of marketing strategy for CSA, nursery, WOFE and holiday store.
Public Relations
- Knowledgeably represent the organization and its programs to the community at large, presenting talks, lectures and guided tours to donors, civic organizations or visiting groups, together with a trainee whenever possible
- Maintain and foster relationships with other public and nonprofit agencies, businesses and individuals
Skills:
· Strong physical labor skills (e.g. sit, stand, bend, lift, walk, carry)
· Working knowledge of organic gardening methods
· Demonstrated ability to make assignments and follow up on completion/evaluation
· Demonstrated ability to both follow and give directions, seek assistance, when needed
· Requires ability to work early morning hours, evening hours and weekends; in all weather conditions
· Demonstrated ability to organize, delegate, give direction, monitor others
Qualifications:
At least two years of very broad horticultural experience; An academic degree, equivalent work experience, or a combination of both, in one or more of the following areas: horticulture, horticulture therapy, organic gardening, social science, human services, environmental science, or related field; Able to effectively work with all populations to include: individuals with serious mental illness, disadvantaged youth, homeless, students and community members; Demonstrated ability to work successfully as part of a team
Desirable skills and qualifications:
Bi-lingual/bi-cultural background; Effective and positive interpersonal and management skills; Experience with creating and managing budgets; Aptitude for craft workshop production; Commitment to sustainable agriculture and food systems; Experience with social justice issues and affected populations
5) Weavers Way Community Programs (WWCP) seeks farm educator interns for the 2010 season.
The following internship opportunities are available:
Summer 2010 ‐ June 14th to August 17th (4‐5 days a week), Deadline to apply‐March 10th
Fall 2010 ‐ August 24th to November 16th (4‐5 days a week), Deadline to apply‐July 15th
WWCP Farm Education The farm education program consists of a .33‐acre children’s garden at the Weavers Way Farm at the Awbury Arboretum, where many groups from around the region visit to participate in educational programs. WWCP also has a .33‐acre community farm site at the Stenton Family Manor Homeless Shelter, where education and gardening is open to residents and community members. WWCP’s farm education program operates in conjunction with the Weavers Way Farm and Weavers Way Coop. The farm consists of two sites, including a 2‐acre CSA farm at Saul Agricultural High School and a 1.5‐acre market garden at Weavers Way Farm. The coop is a 3,600‐member community owned retail food market, with locations in Mt. Airy, West Oak Lane and soon to be Chestnut Hill. In 2009, over 3,000 youth and adults participated in WWCP’s farm education programs. A majority of those were school and community groups who participated in farm education or service learning activities at the farm. In addition to education, produce that the non‐profit raises is sold at farmers markets, to the Weavers Way co‐op locations, and area restaurants. A major portion of the produce at Stenton Family Manor is used on‐site in the shelter’s kitchen where meals are served daily to over 200 people.
Weavers Way Community Programs was created in 2007 to develop and expand the community enrichment work of the Weavers Way Co‐op. WWCP is a member of the Mt. Airy Community Services Corporation (MACSC) which has 501(c)(3) status. In addition to farm education programs, WWCP runs the school Marketplace program, a series of school‐based mini‐co‐ops run by students with guidance from their teachers and WWCP staff.
Contact: David Siller
Email: beezsveet@gmail.com
6) Experienced Organic Farm Help Wanted in Midcoast Maine
Bridge Farm is a beautiful historic riverfront diversified organic farm. The owners have worked hard in the past 2 years to restore the farm. They have improved soils, fencing, added sheep for fiber and meat, broilers, layers, turkeys, started an heirloom garden with Master Gardeners and have large veggie, flower, berry, herb gardens. We are MOFGA cerfified for our poultry and produce.
We need experienced farm help to help us grow the farm so that a farm store, farm market(s), animals and gardens can be expanded. We offer a separate small 1 bedroom apartment on the farm great for an individual or couple; 2 barns, tractor and other implements; a monthly stipend, some food and a share of the farm profits. This position is available now and we are looking for an individual or couple who want to help expand the animals, gardens, markets, are self starters; have some carpentry skills, are nonsmokers, committed to sustainability, organic farming…all with a well developed sense of humor. A commitment of at least 2-3 years would be ideal.
Contact: Kathy Coleman
Email: kcoleman@midmaine.com
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