The Ranch & Homestead Experiential Educator will run education programs at the Hutchinson Homestead & Learning Center and is a good fit for an individual who is passionate about working with youth, supporting local agriculture, ranching, agricultural history, traditional arts and experiential education, and building connections in the community. The position offers space for a member’s creativity, through opportunities to help with agriculture-focused programs and incorporate arts and hands-on traditional skills into the ranching curriculum. The position is focused on pioneer, homestead, and ranching education and includes exposure to fundraising, marketing, and farm and ranch production.
Guidestone operates the Hutchinson Homestead & Learning Center with the vision of bringing the story of the land and history to life through events, programs, and community celebrations to create a dynamic living, historical, and cultural interpretation and agriculture education center that bridges the past to the future of agriculture in our community. The Hutchinson Homestead & Learning Center provides a home base for Guidestone operations, is a primary site for Farmhands Youth Education Programs and will continue to grow to support community events and agritourism opportunities in the Upper Arkansas Region.
Service Activities
● Support in all aspects of summer program planning and implementation.
● Support the development and implementation of Little Spurs and fall after-school programs.
● Support school field trip programming.
● Assist with the development of teaching and interpretation materials.
● Ensure a safe, effective and positive learning environment, and empower students to connect to the land and
learn about history, traditional arts and agriculture.
● Provide tours and visitor center support when open to the public.
● Assist with the development and implementation of community events, including Pumpkin Patch, Music at
the Mill, and other events at the Hutchinson Homestead and Hutchinson Ranch.
● Support production activities at the Community & School Farm in the fall and as needed on an emergency
basis.
● Support farm events and adult education, such as plant sales, open houses and the High Altitude Gardening
Series.
Community Need Addressed
The Ranch & Homestead Experiential Educator position at Guidestone Colorado plays a crucial role in connecting youth to local agriculture, ranching, and traditional arts while fostering experiential education and community connections. Located at the Hutchinson Homestead & Learning Center, this AmeriCorps position involves running education programs, developing Little Spurs and fall after-school programs, and supporting school field trips, ensuring a safe and positive learning environment. The role encompasses pioneer, homestead, and ranching education, with exposure to fundraising, marketing, and farm and ranch production. AmeriCorps members will actively contribute to program planning, teaching, interpretation, and community events, aligning with Guidestone's mission to bridge the past and future of agriculture through dynamic living educational experiences. The position offers professional development, a living allowance, and various benefits to support AmeriCorps members throughout their service year.
Position Outcomes
The Ranch & Homestead Experiential Educator position at Guidestone Colorado is designed to achieve several desired outcomes and quantifiable changes. Through the implementation of education programs at the Hutchinson Homestead & Learning Center, the service aims to foster a deeper connection between youth and the local agricultural and ranching heritage. The desired result is an increased understanding and appreciation for traditional arts, agricultural history, and experiential learning among the participating students. Quantifiable changes may include measurable improvements in students' knowledge about agriculture, ranching, and local history, as well as increased engagement in hands-on learning experiences. Additionally, successful implementation of community events and programs, such as Pumpkin Patch and Music at the Mill, will contribute to the Hutchinson Homestead & Learning Center's role as a dynamic living educational and cultural interpretation center, with attendance metrics and community participation serving as quantifiable indicators of success. Ultimately, the service aims to leave a lasting impact on the community's awareness of its agricultural heritage and the importance of sustainable practices.
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, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them
Tools
Seek opportunities to improve knowledge of tools and technologies that may assist in streamlining work and improving productivity
Planning
Create environment of contribution, Drive decision making, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients