The Rio Grande Farm Park seeks a curious, hard-working Farm Assistant AmeriCorps volunteer to support activities on a 38 acre community farm in Alamosa, Colorado. The Farm Assistant AmeriCorps Volunteer will assist with land- based work, lead volunteer programs, and have opportunities to hone in on projects and programs based on their interests. This person will learn the ins-and-outs of growing produce in an arid climate, from water management to soil health. This person will also become a leader for volunteer projects, integrating community groups and students into meaningful and creative projects. This person will work closely with the Farm Manager and Director to practice regenerative agriculture and create a vibrant community space.
Service Activities
● Lead monthly Saturday volunteer workdays, including helping identify projects, planning and promoting events, and recording volunteer data.
● Assist with irrigation, including flood irrigation, drip line maintenance, and ditch maintenance.
● Assist with vegetable production, from seeding to weeding to harvesting.
● Assist RGFP farming program participants as appropriate.
● Assist with animals (in the event we have animals), which may include chickens or goats.
● Assist with the weekly Mercadillo during the growing season including planning, vendor orientation, site management, and data collection.
● Assist with land health activities such as cover cropping, tree care, and noxious weed control.
● Assist with landscaping projects in community areas.
● Assist with growing produce and general maintenance in the greenhouse.
● Work with each RGFP Farmer’s Cooperative grower for 1 day/month to learn different growing techniques,
provide feedback, and encourage educational exchange between growers.
● Help integrate meaningful and creative volunteer opportunities into needed tasks at the Farm Park, and work
with community groups to plan events and accomplish these tasks.
● As needed, create social media and newsletter content
● According to interests and skills, consider the needs of Farm Park and offer creative solutions to problems.
● Participate with the weekly Mercadillo farmers’ market during the growing season - helping to set up the
RGFP information booth, utilize a Point of Sale system to exchange SNAP and Credit Cards for market vouchers.
Community Need Addressed
The Farm Assistant AmeriCorps position at Rio Grande Farm Park addresses several unmet community needs, primarily focusing on sustainable agriculture and community engagement. By supporting activities on the community farm, the position contributes to meeting the need for locally grown, regeneratively produced food in an arid climate. Additionally, the role actively involves community members through volunteer workdays, fostering a sense of belonging and shared responsibility. The position recognizes the challenges faced by disadvantaged farmers and seeks to address these by maintaining arable acres for their use. Furthermore, the Farm Assistant's involvement in educational initiatives, such as the Rising Stewards program and multimedia content creation, addresses the need for youth education and environmental awareness in the community. Overall, this position plays a vital role in building a resilient and connected community through sustainable agriculture and education.
Position Outcomes
The Farm Assistant AmeriCorps position at Rio Grande Farm Park aims to achieve several key outcomes to bring about positive and quantifiable changes in the community. Firstly, increased local food production and distribution, specifically through the support of disadvantaged farmers, will contribute to improved food security. The active engagement of community members in volunteer workdays is expected to enhance community cohesion and participation. The outcomes also include improved land health and sustainable agricultural practices, demonstrated through activities such as irrigation, cover cropping, and noxious weed control. Additionally, the creation of multimedia content and educational initiatives is intended to raise awareness and understanding of regenerative agriculture, fostering a more environmentally conscious community. Overall, the desired results encompass a more resilient and interconnected community with increased access to locally produced, sustainable food.
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Living allowance
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Turn taking
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented
Decisions
Accepts responsibility
Tools
Carefully consider which tools or technological solutions are appropriate for a given job, 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, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients