The Highwater Farm Youth Program Coordinator will be responsible for providing the primary leadership of the youth programs, including the hiring, onboarding and supervision of Highwater Farm youth crew workers in the 8- week Summer Youth Program and subsequent Fall Youth Program. As a key member of the Highwater Farm team, the Youth Program Coordinator will work closely with the Executive Director to plan, prepare, and facilitate crew worker experiences while also supporting other farm and program activities.
Outside of the Summer Youth Program, this position will be dedicated to leading volunteers through field work in the spring and fall and to hosting on-farm community events. Additionally, they will work on the farm under the direction of the Farm Manager as needed to plant, manage plants and weeds, harvest, process, and package produce for delivery. This position will require additional responsibilities that are shared among staff (weekend chores, irrigation, etc.)
Highwater Farm’s CSA program support community members who receive federal benefits. The Youth Program Coordinator will support important anti-hunger work by facilitating on farm SNAP, DUFB & WIC* transactions and assisting with organizational reporting for these programs.
*SNAP - Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program; DUFB - Double Up Food Bucks; WIC - Women Infants & Children.
Service Activities
• Facilitate the hiring and onboarding processes for Highwater youth programs.
• Work closely with the Executive Director to coordinate and facilitate summer program daily and weekly
logistics, including: work hours, morning meeting, on-site workshops, off-site cooking classes and farm tours,
service opportunities and farmers market participation.
• Uphold and train youth in work standards, mentorship, feedback strategies (Real Talk) and basic agricultural
work practices.
• Lead select workshops, games and activities focused on building introductory knowledge of social justice and
food justice issues; communication skills; and relationship building across social barriers.
• Provide on-site supervision of youth and volunteers, ensuring all participants are safe and experience
positive personal growth. This includes working alongside crews to model behavior and check-in.
• Coordinate at least two on-farm Community Lunch events during the summer season that incorporate
Highwater Farm produce and youth program participants.
• Coordinate on-farm Fall Movie Night.
• Share social media management and provide community with storytelling about volunteer and youth
programs.
• Facilitate and further develop pre and post surveys with program participants.
• Participate in program/season review upon completion of program to inform and guide subsequent
programs.
• Lead volunteers through farm work in the spring and fall.
• Participate in farm tasks throughout the season, including but not limited to: seeding, bed prep, irrigating
fields, trellising, weeding and maintaining crops, harvesting, processing and packaging produce.
Community Need Addressed
The Youth Program Coordinator at Highwater Farm will significantly contribute to addressing the unmet community need for empowering youth, fostering community engagement, and enhancing local food access. By leading and coordinating youth programs, this position aims to create a positive and educational environment for young individuals, instilling valuable skills in agriculture and social justice. The desired result is a quantifiable change in the participants, as they gain knowledge in sustainable farming practices, social justice issues, and communication skills. The program will also contribute to community building through on-farm events and outreach. Ultimately, the Youth Program Coordinator will play a crucial role in building a resilient and interconnected community with increased awareness of local agriculture and food justice.
Position Outcomes
The service as Youth Program Coordinator at Highwater Farm aims to achieve specific outcomes, including empowering youth, fostering community engagement, and enhancing local food access. The desired results involve measurable changes in participants, equipping them with agricultural skills, knowledge of social justice issues, and improved communication abilities. Through on-farm events and outreach, the program seeks to strengthen community bonds and create awareness about local agriculture and food justice. Overall, the Youth Program Coordinator role aims to bring about tangible positive changes in the community by nurturing informed, skilled, and engaged youth.
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Living allowance, Stipend
Housing Stipend
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem
Teamwork
Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time
Decisions
Accepts responsibility
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job
Planning
Drive decision making, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients