Farm to School (F2S) AmeriCorps Members are part of a team that works with Guidestone Colorado 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.
F2S Members engage youth and community members to build, maintain, and expand school gardens and community gardens through a start-to-finish growing season. Programs include farm field trips, guest visits, summer camps, 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.
Service Activities
• 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 student’s grades K-12, in school garden classes and summer camp settings.
• Introduce fresh local foods through tastings, summer programs, and other activities.
• Lead the Youth Farmers Market, selling produce from the Community & School Farm with kids from the Boys & Girls Club.
• Community outreach/engagement, such as expanding volunteer involvement in the school gardens, organizing events, developing promotional strategies, coordinating, and leading community workdays.
• Support production activities at the Community & School Farm in the spring and fall, and as needed on an emergency basis.
• Support City of Salida Community Gardens at garden sites through community engagement, education, technical support and partnership development.
Community Need Addressed
The Garden Educator position at Guidestone Colorado addresses the critical need for connecting youth to the earth, their food, and the community through the district-wide Farm to School program. As part of the Mountain Roots Healthy Futures Program, AmeriCorps members collaborate with Guidestone staff and volunteers to build, maintain, and expand school and community gardens, fostering nutrition, health, and garden-based environmental education for rural youth. Primary responsibilities include designing and delivering hands-on curriculum, introducing local foods through tastings, leading the Youth Farmers Market, and engaging in community outreach to promote Farm to School initiatives. The position is based at 1435 Holman Ave, Salida, CO, with outdoor and community building service conditions. Qualifications include a passion for connecting people to the source of their food, experience in sustainable agriculture, and strong communication skills.
Position Outcomes
The desired outcome of the Garden Educator position is to cultivate a deeper connection between youth and the food they consume, promoting healthy communities and environmental stewardship. Through hands-on training, ongoing professional development, and exposure to organic agriculture, AmeriCorps members will gain the skills necessary to effectively engage youth, deliver curriculum, and contribute to the broader goals of the Farm to School program. The position aims to empower AmeriCorps members to build, maintain, and expand gardens, facilitate educational programs, and lead community outreach efforts, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of partner organizations in providing nutrition and health education to rural youth. The overall impact is a more resilient and sustainable local food system, with AmeriCorps members playing a key role in building healthier communities, fostering environmental awareness, and addressing global challenges through localized solutions.
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Living allowance
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Stay positive and outcome oriented
Decisions
Accepts responsibility
Tools
Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment