A food system encompasses the path food travels from farm to fork. It includes growing, harvesting, processing, distributing, marketing and disposing of food. Improve social justice in Rustbelt Appalachia by joining Grow Ohio Valley’s efforts to improve local food systems. Candidates should have demonstrated interests in social justice, urban agriculture, education, and/or food systems work, with a desire to reduce poverty, a passion for service, and readiness to work with their hands. Members will integrate into GOV’s core operations in food justice and local food access, as well as facilitate garden-based learning in schools and communities. GOV is searching for exceptional candidates to fill these key roles.
Service Activities
WHAT DO AMERICORPS DO AT GROW OHIO VALLEY?
The URBAN FARM TEAM works to grow, process, and distribute fresh, local produce to the community. AmeriCorps members serving on this team will gain experience seeding, transplanting, tending, and harvesting vegetable crops using hand tools. Most work will be completed at the Grow OV urban farms, including the 14th Street Greenhouse, Farm 18, the Meadow, and the Orchard. Urban farm team members may also play a role in distributing local food to the community via our CSA and Farmacy programs.
The EDUCATION TEAM spends time sharing a passion for food and health with kids and adults in our community. Members of this team facilitate Grow OV's community education programs, with a focus on encouraging food literacy and developing resiliency in Wheeling's urban neighborhoods. These programs include farm field trips, school field days, cooking classes, home gardening classes, and more. Education team members work directly with community members to facilitate programming.
The EDIBLE MOUNTAIN TEAM is improving public health in the Ohio Valley. Help develop an overgrown hill into a recreation space for our community. Members of this team will spend time canvasing the community, developing public health programming, and creating recreation space on the Edible Mountain.
Community Need Addressed
● High rates of obesity and diabetes
● Low rates of fruit and vegetable consumption
● Poor health indicators
● Limited access to fresh, heathy foods
Position Outcomes
● Increased fresh food availability and access
● Enhanced food education
● Increased reach of program impact
● Improved food system
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Student loan forbearance
Delicious locally grown food
Skills you will gain
project management, team coordination, time management, self-sufficiency
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Maintain open lines of communication with others
Creativity & Problem Solving
Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise
Teamwork
Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, Consistently choose the best tool or technological solution for the problem at hand, Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines, Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Create environment of contribution, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently
Service
Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others