Within a Colorado mountain community Farm to School program, you’ll teach hands-on lessons in environmental science, food & nutrition, and outdoor experience summer camps. The position requires extensive time outdoors and exposure to natural elements and physical labor affiliated with agricultural farming.
Service Activities
Member Duties
• Build, maintain, and expand school gardens through a start-to-finish growing season.
• Design and deliver hands-on curriculum on nutrition, gardens, food sources, environmental science, cooking, and sustainability with students grades K-6, and in summer camp settings.
• Introduce fresh local foods through tastings, garden clubs, summer programs, and other activities.
• Community outreach/engagement, such as expanding volunteer involvement in the school gardens, organize events, develop promotional strategies and materials for print and social media, coordinate and lead community workdays.
Community Need Addressed
Farm to School (F2S) AmeriCorps Members are part of a team that works with Delta County Farm to School staff and volunteers to connect youth to the earth, to their food, and to the community as part of our district-wide Farm to School program, bridging gaps that enable partner organizations to be more efficient and effective at providing nutrition, health, and garden-based environmental education to rural youth.
Position Outcomes
F2S Members engage youth and community members to build, maintain, and expand school gardens through a start-to-finish growing season. Programs include farm field trips, guest visits, summer camps, garden clubs, and youth farmers markets. Members provide outreach and engagement at community events to promote Farm to School and the organization’s programs and mission. Members gain exposure to organic agriculture, curriculum development, program planning, volunteer engagement, and participate in ongoing professional development.
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Living allowance, Relocation allowance (if applicable), Student loan forbearance, Training
Education Benefits
College Degree, GED/High School Diploma
Skills you will gain
We look for candidates that are passionate, patient, flexible, intelligent, creative, kind, caring, self-motivated team players, and who feel strongly about the importance of connecting kids to the source of their food for the betterment of themselves, their communities, and the larger world. Background or experience with experiential education, environmental studies, sustainable agriculture, local food systems, and health/nutrition, experience working with youth, strong professional communication skills, computer skills, and clean driving record. This position has recurring access to vulnerable populations.
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Lead group discussion, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise
Teamwork
Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
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, Facilitate group planning
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment