Description
New Farm Institute (NFI), a nonprofit created in 2012, provides farm-based education to engage people of all ages and abilities in healthy foods and sustainable farming. NFI’s initiatives build upon the education and outreach efforts begun in 2006 by the founders of Green Gate Farms, a community-based, certified organic family farm with locations in Austin and Bastrop, Texas. Each year, thousands of people visit, volunteer and learn on Green Gate’s 5-acre urban farm and 35-acre rural farm. NFI's goal is to take our existing farm-based education curriculum -- cooking, gardening, canning, marketing, natural building, carpentry, etc.-- and expand it. The community adjacent to the urban farm is Hidden Valley, High Meadows, a low income neighborhood of about 600 manufactured homes established in the 1970s. NFI wishes to expand our programming to meet the needs of all our neighbors, especially these children ages 8-15 and their parents.
Member Duties : The VISTA will build New Farm Institute's organizational capacity to fight poverty by utilizing our existing farm-based education curriculum -- cooking, gardening, canning, marketing, carpentry, etc.-- and expanding it to the under-served populations living near our community-based urban farm. Our staff emphasize welcoming neighbors and guiding them to healthier food and have invested in materials and staff needed for LoneStar SNAP and FMNP programs. Currently, NFI provides scholarships to our summer Farm Camps and offers informal after school activities, but parents and students have asked for more. Plans include establishing a community garden, providing job training, offering a year round after school program,as well as providing access to health fruits, vegetables, meats, and other farm products. Having a VISTA volunteer to document and expand this curriculum will provide staff with a strong foundation for programming and fundraising growth.
New Farm Institute (NFI), a nonprofit created in 2012, provides farm-based education to engage people of all ages and abilities in healthy foods and sustainable farming. NFI’s initiatives build upon the education and outreach efforts begun in 2006 by the founders of Green Gate Farms, a community-based, certified organic family farm with locations in Austin and Bastrop, Texas. Each year, thousands of people visit, volunteer and learn on Green Gate’s 5-acre urban farm and 35-acre rural farm. NFI's goal is to take our existing farm-based education curriculum -- cooking, gardening, canning, marketing, natural building, carpentry, etc.-- and expand it. The community adjacent to the urban farm is Hidden Valley, High Meadows, a low income neighborhood of about 600 manufactured homes established in the 1970s. NFI wishes to expand our programming to meet the needs of all our neighbors, especially these children ages 8-15 and their parents.
Member Duties : The VISTA will build New Farm Institute's organizational capacity to fight poverty by utilizing our existing farm-based education curriculum -- cooking, gardening, canning, marketing, carpentry, etc.-- and expanding it to the under-served populations living near our community-based urban farm. Our staff emphasize welcoming neighbors and guiding them to healthier food and have invested in materials and staff needed for LoneStar SNAP and FMNP programs. Currently, NFI provides scholarships to our summer Farm Camps and offers informal after school activities, but parents and students have asked for more. Plans include establishing a community garden, providing job training, offering a year round after school program,as well as providing access to health fruits, vegetables, meats, and other farm products. Having a VISTA volunteer to document and expand this curriculum will provide staff with a strong foundation for programming and fundraising growth.
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Living Allowance
$1108
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$1108 monthly
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Non-competitive eligibility (federal jobs), Relocation allowance (if applicable), Stipend, Student loan forbearance, Training
Education Requirements
Some College
Desired Languages
English
Other Conditions
Car recommended
Permits attendance at school during off hours
Subject to criminal background check