Community Garden Volunteer Group Leader

Location: Atlanta, GA
Salary Range: $13.75 – $15.75 /hour
Exempt/Non-Exempt: Non-Exempt
Benefits: Full
Employment Type: Full Time
Department: Community Services
Description: The Atlanta Community Food Bank is a nonprofit organization supplying food and grocery items to over 600 partner agencies serving families and individuals in 29 metro Atlanta and North Georgia counties.

Position Description:

The Community Garden Volunteer Group Leader is to support the Community Service Group’s Community Gardening services. This position requires that you work Tuesday through Saturday work schedule with availability needed for most mornings. The Volunteer Group Leader will report to the Community Garden Manager.
Duties: Purposes, Responsibilities and Duties

1. To support the ACFB Community Gardening volunteer program as a group leader.
a. Communicate with scheduled volunteer group contacts in advance of scheduled work days
b. Training and supervising volunteers on site on day of service.
c. Providing tools, materials, refreshments for garden workdays.
d. Care for safety and appreciation of volunteers.
e. Lead groups in clean-up of work areas and equipment at end of shift.
f. Give written evaluations on volunteer experiences.
g. Keep accurate inventory and volunteer data records.
h. Communicate volunteer needs to the Community Garden Manager and Volunteer Department liaisons.
2. To Support Community Gardens and ACFB programs and facilities.

a. Work collaboratively with other Community Services Group community building initiatives, including Food Oasis.
b. Coordinating the Atlanta Area Plant a Row for the Hungry data collection process, including training and assisting Community Garden interns.
c. Working collaboratively with and provide support to the Food Well Alliance, the Captain Planet Foundation, the Atlanta Local Food Initiative and others that also provide services to our shared network of community, learning and therapeutic gardens.
d. Coordinate inventory and distribution of vegetable seeds to community partners.
e. Maintaining the Community Garden storage area and tool inventory at acceptable levels of cleanliness and order.
f. Ensure an adequate inventory of bottled water and snacks required for garden work days.
g. Provide other assistance to Community Gardens, including technical and mechanical support.
h. Other duties as assigned by ACFB Community Garden Manager.
Qualifications: Qualifications
Education

1. High school diploma or equivalent. Education in the horticulture field preferred.

Required qualifications

1. Minimum one (1) year outdoor gardening experience; Ability to operate power and standard equipment (rototiller, rakes, shovels, etc.) in a safe and efficient manner (training available)
2. Intermediate MS Office and Outlook skills.
3. Good verbal and written communication skills.
4. Enjoy working with individuals of all ages.
5. Dependable, a team player, and work with little supervision.
6. Ability to safely operate gardening tools and equipment and follow safety policies and procedures.
7. Comfortable working outdoors in the open environment with varying temperatures and be able to lift up to 50-70 pounds routinely.
8. Able to work in a fast paced environment.
9. Able to work a flexible work schedule.
10. Able to qualify to drive a fleet cargo van with trailer, have a valid driver’s license and a safe driving record and familiarity driving within the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Preferred qualifications

1. 1 year volunteer management experience
2. Experience with community outreach programs and training/leading participants.
3. Experience with meeting and event planning.

Urban Agriculture Fellowship

Overview. With up-coming announcements of City of Atlanta’s first food forest, urban allotments gardens, and several new community gardens across the City, Atlanta is gaining national attention for its innovative urban agricultural development and policy. To provide the necessary support for these and future initiatives, the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and the Food Well Alliance are looking for an Urban Agriculture Fellow to help make Atlanta a top-tier city for sustainability, strengthen our local food economy and the bring food access within .5 of a mile to 75% of Atlanta residents by 2020. The urban agriculture fellowship provides a substantive experience that serves as a basis for a fellow to attain professional skills in a variety of leadership fields such as sustainability, community engagement, urban agriculture development and management, urban planning, and many other related disciplines.

Compensation and Terms. Urban Agriculture Fellow is $32,000 for 48 weeks over one calendar year. Fellows typically work approximately 40 hours a week, attendance at some events on Saturdays are expected.

Term. This fellowship will be one year: October 3rd, 2016 – September 29th, 2017.

Typical Qualifications. Seeking an applicant with a 4-year degree from an accredited college or university. Applicant must be highly motivated, great attitude, creative thinker, able to tackle complex problems while exemplifying professionalism at all times. Must be able to utilize computer applications as necessary to complete routine assignments.

Role and Responsibilities. Urban agriculture fellow will report to Mayor’s Office of Sustainability (suite 3450) in City of Atlanta – City Hall (55 Trinity Ave. Atlanta, GA 30506.) Tasks include: • Identify parcels of currently underutilized land owned by the City that have the potential to provide access to those that wish to grow food; • Collaborate with community organizations and various City departments to improve growers’ access to public and private land; • Work with new and existing urban farmers to facilitate the permitting process for hoop houses, washing stations, farmers’ markets, market gardens, and urban gardens; • Identify funding opportunities through marketing as well as private sector investment to build local food access for the City; • Support the deployment of Atlanta’s first food forest, urban allotment farms, and other special projects and programs; and • Engage with local non-profits, the academic community, and City departments to help make Atlanta a Bee City USA.

Please submit a one-page resume in .pdf format to jobs@foodwellalliance.com with “Urban Agriculture Fellowship” in the subject line by 11:59pm, Saturday, September 24th, 2016.

Edible Campus Initiative Coordinator, UNC Chapel Hill

Position Type: Permanent Staff (SHRA)
Budgeted Hiring Range: $33,000 – $36,000
Full-time/Part-time Permanent/Time-Limited Full-Time Time-Limited
If time-limited, estimated duration of appointment 1 year
Hours per week 40
Work Schedule
Weekdays; 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Department Name and Number NC Botanical Garden-525000
Date First Posted 08/10/2016
Closing Date: 09/07/2016
Position Location: Chapel Hill, NC

Department Description
The North Carolina Botanical Garden is an environmental education center consisting of approximately 700 acres, including 10 acres of display gardens, one quarter-acre community garden, nature trails and preserves, and indoor and outdoor classrooms and meeting facilities. NCBG’s mission is “To inspire understanding, appreciation, and conservation of plants in gardens and natural areas and to advance a sustainable relationship between people and nature.” The Garden is a national leader in southeastern native plants and environmental issues, including sustainable practices in horticulture and conservation.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.

Position Description
The Edible Campus Initiative (ECI) creates vibrant spaces on the UNC-Chapel Hill campus that encourage community engagement with food systems and sustainable thinking. ECI promotes interactive food and sustainable landscape education and integrates edible and native plants into the university’s campus through the creation of educational gardens. Students, faculty, staff and community volunteers participate in all educational activities.

The Coordinator’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to horticultural management of campus garden sites, educational programming and evaluation, communication and cultivating relationships with the University and the larger community
Garden Management *
• Design, plant and maintain ECI gardens
• Purchase seeds, plants, tools, soil amendments, garden infrastructure, etc.
• Coordinate horticulture management and site selection with UNC Grounds Services
• Coordinate volunteer work days
• Collaborate with the horticulture community
Education and Outreach *
• Provide on-site education through signage and programming that encourage the use of new healthy foods, food preparation, and nutritional impact and sustainable landscaping
• Collaborate with faculty and staff to provide technical assistance for UNC courses, research projects and/or engagement activities
• Develop, implement and coordinate educational workshops
• Serve as a preceptor for interns, work study students
• Advise garden-focused student groups such as the Urban Youth Learning Garden and Gardening and Ethnobotany in Academia
• Provide advice and resources to other universities and community groups interested in learning from the ECI experience
• Train and manage volunteers, including students enrolled in service-learning classes
• Establish and implement on-going assessment and evaluation of all ECI educational programming
• Assist with grant proposals for innovative learning opportunities and courses
Communications *
• Communicate regularly with stakeholders
• Publicize the ECI through the media and campus and community events
• Identify, publicize and coordinate garden workshops for campus and community
• Present to UNC and community groups
• Communicate regularly with UNC Grounds Services about satellite sites
Administration & Fundraising *
• Keep records and statistics on measureable outcomes
• Fundraise by writing grants, encouraging individual and in-kind contributions and events
• Provide reports as needed by funders and the North Carolina Botanical Garden (NCBG)
• Attend NCBG meetings and events

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment and one year of experience that demonstrates possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Essential Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
This employee must possess knowledge of organic gardening and native plants and excellent interpersonal communication, management, and organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of organic gardening and sustainable agricultural and landscape practices
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Self-motivated, creative and detail-oriented
• Excellent team-building skills
• Willingness to work flexible hours including weekends
• CPR Certification

Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications:
• Fundraising experience and demonstrated success preferred.
• Minimum of five years of experience in the development, implementation, and evaluation of environmental/science educational programs preferred.
• Volunteer or professional experience with coordinating a community garden preferred.
• UNC community member preferred.

Required Licenses/Certifications
CPR Certification
Quick Link http://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/104043

Student Worker for Biodynamic Research at UGA

Student workers needed for organic research projects Work will include a mixture of field, greenhouse, and lab duties. Must be able to work outdoors in all conditions as needed. Looking for reliable students with a positive attitude and interest in applied organic research. ~ 10 to 20 hrs./week @$10/hr. Contact Dr. Elizabeth Little in the Department of Plant Pathology elittle@uga.edu

Asst. Farm Manager, Sterling Colleg

COMPANY DESCRIPTION
Founded in 1958 in Craftsbury Common, Vermont, Sterling College is the leading voice in higher education for environmental stewardship. The College was among the first colleges in the United States to focus on sustainability through academic majors in Ecology, Environmental Humanities, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems, and Outdoor Education. Sterling College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is one of only eight federally recognized Work Colleges in the nation.

JOB DESCRIPTION

An integral part of the Sterling College community, the Sterling Farm serves a threefold purpose:

• To demonstrate a range of techniques used in sustainable, agroecological production systems;
• To foster a working laboratory for academic inquiry; and
• To provide nourishing food for its campus community.

The daily management of the farm is shared among the Farm Manager, and two Assistants, and a team of student employees. Each of the Assistant Managers carry responsibilities according to their own skill-set, and work collaboratively under the supervision of the Sterling Farm Manager, with the support of the Sterling College Sustainable Agriculture Instructional Team.

We are currently seeking an Assistant Manager to take primary responsibility for livestock production. This is a full-time, 40 hr/wk, salaried position. Though work hours will primarily be completed Mon-Fri, weekend work will be required on a rotating basis. This Assistant Farm Manager position includes housing.

Duties and Expectations:

With training and mentoring from the Farm Manager, the Assistant Farm Manager is responsible for the following:

• Work with a team of student employees. She or he is responsible for supervising work crews and creating an educationally stimulating work setting, to facilitate completion of all farm management tasks.
• Coordinate with the faculty and staff to ensure the Sterling curriculum, and kitchen are well supported throughout the seasons. The Assistant Manager interacts with classes, helps supervise land management by students involved in independent studies, and ensures availability of land resources for research and other academic uses.
• Help manage production, coordinate harvests, manage infrastructure, maintain the farm landscape in an organized and aesthetically pleasing manner, and work directly with the Sterling kitchen to facilitate order placement and fulfillment.
• Act as the voice of the Sterling Farm, through community announcements and awarenesses, periodic on-farm events, and presentations to prospective students, community members and other visitors to the College. This requires public speaking, informal presentations, garden tours, and attendance at agricultural events, both on- and off-campus.
• Develop management protocols and keep records to track production and profitability.
• Collaborate with the Farm Manager and other Assistant Manager in all areas of the farm as the need arises.

Qualifications:

Applicants should have 1-2 seasons of experience farming in a production or educational setting; teaching experience, preferably in a small-scale farm environment; a demonstrated ability to work independently and as a part of a team. Management experience on a diverse farm or a similar system is preferred, and the completion a B.A. or B.S. program in an appropriate field by the start date of the hire is required.

Compensation:

The Sterling Sustainable Agriculture Assistant Manager position is a 12-month renewable position that includes a salary of $15,750; on-campus housing & meals; a professional development stipend of $300 to be used on your choice of workshops, conferences, or classes; and eligibility to enroll in Sterling College full-time employee benefits. There are two Assistant Manager positions and at least one of the two positions is required to live on campus. Being an integral part of the campus community is a key aspect of this position, therefore it is expected that you will maintain exemplary personal and professional boundaries.
The position’s start date is October 1st and the College will begin to review applications immediately. Applicants should include a résumé, a cover letter describing your interest in the position and three references sent to Gwyneth Harris, Sterling College Farm Manager, atgharris@sterlingcollege.edu.

Manager, The Kenyon Farm

Reporting to the Director of Green Initiatives and serving in a full-time capacity, the Kenyon Farm Manager is the chief administrator of the Kenyon Farm overseeing the student farmers and supporting the KF mission:

The Kenyon Farm is a student-centered program focusing on experiential learning, sustainable food systems and food production. Our mission is to engage the Kenyon community in a small-scale farming operation in the context of a liberal arts education and to support the academic values of Kenyon College.

The Farm Manager, working with the student farmers, is responsible for developing the KF’s role as an educational resource and providing the Kenyon community with opportunities to engage with the study and research of food, agriculture and the environment through academic inquiry and extracurricular activities. The Manager may contribute to courses related to sustainable agriculture and support faculty who integrate the KF into their courses. The Manager is also responsible for increasing access to local, sustainably-raised food to campus and the broader community.

Responsibilities:

Academic Integration and Student Engagement

Collaborate with the Director of Green Initiatives and the faculty to promote and guide experiential learning with the KF acting as a living laboratory for coursework. Integrate the KF across disciplines to support a discourse on food and agriculture and how they relate to environment, culture, economies, ethics, and public health. Support academic research projects in partnership with students and faculty.

Develop extracurricular programming for students to introduce them to the KF including volunteer workdays, community events, speakers, pre-orientation, etc.

Farm Operations

Manage daily operations of the KF based on a plan created in collaboration with student farmers, interested faculty and the college Food Service Provider (AVI). Supervise student farmers in plan implementation including but not limited to crop planting and harvesting, soil management, and animal management.

Organize the harvest, preparation and delivery of farm products to customers including AVI.

Maintain detailed tracking of all aspects of farming operation including crop and animal selection, planting maps, and revenues.

Maintain a record of valuable information and “lessons learned” from farming operations.

Employee Management

Manage two to six student farmer employees who live at the farmhouse including hiring, orientation and training, supervision and evaluation.

Manage summer interns including hiring, supervision and evaluation.

Collaborate with local farmers and facilitate their engagement with students and faculty.

Strategy and Administration

Assume primary accountability for leadership and direction of the KF in developing project goals and strategy with attention to curricular engagement, expansion of farm production and public educational programming.

Engage and update key constituencies on operations at the KF. Foster, promote and strengthen interactions among various departments and introduce new employees to the KF.

Collaborate with Office of Communications on marketing the KF and on online resources such as website and social media.

Maintain knowledge of leading sustainable food programs in higher education and best practices at campus farms to guide the direction of KF development and to enhance opportunities for academic inquiry. Collaborate with Director of Green Initiatives to promote those opportunities.

Develop annual budget and maintain detailed accounting of expenditures and revenues for the farm.

Collaborate with Office of Development on funding support.

Property Care

Collaborate with Office of Residential Life and Maintenance Department on care of farmhouse and property.

Minimum Qualifications

Academic background with coursework related to agriculture or food systems.

2+ years experience growing produce and raising livestock with sustainable practices.

2+ years experience in project management.

Proven ability to multi task, consistently meet or exceed deadlines and goals, and work effectively with diverse groups and individuals.

Must be self-directed, organized, attentive to detail and enthusiastic about sustainable agriculture.

Kenyon College is a nationally prominent, private liberal arts college where academic excellence goes hand in hand with a strong sense of community and close relationships among students and professors.

Compensation and Benefits

Salaries at Kenyon are competitive and commensurate with experience. In addition to an attractive salary, Kenyon offers benefits for employees and their family members. Children of employees are eligible for 100% tuition waivers at Kenyon, and through the Great Lakes Colleges Association, children of employees are eligible for 85% tuition waivers at fifteen other of the nation’s finest liberal arts colleges.

We also offer health and dental insurance, TIAA/CREF retirement, and many other benefits, including provisions for a spouse, families, and domestic partners. Details about benefits as well as conditions of employment are described more fully in our Administration and Staff Handbook.

For more information: http://careers.kenyon.edu/cw/en-us/job/492388/manager-the-kenyon-farm

 

Univ. Michigan Sustainable Food Program Specialist(s)- Two Jobs

Job Description
The University of Michigan is growing its efforts in sustainable food systems education! Two full-time positions are available to support this work, including the new Campus Farm Manager and the University of Michigan Sustainable Food Program (UMSFP) Specialist. The Campus Farm Manager position, based in Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum, will steward the growth and operations of the Campus Farm with an emphasis on student leadership and formal and informal learning opportunities. The UMSFP Specialist, based in Student Life, will further the UMSFP mission to foster collaborative leadership that empowers students to create a sustainable food system at the University of Michigan while becoming change agents for a vibrant planet. These positions will work closely together. L

Job Summary
The University of Michigan Sustainable Food Program (UMSFP) is a student-driven initiative formed in 2012 that focuses on promoting education, building community, and producing sustainable food. Its mission is to foster collaborative leadership that empowers students to create a sustainable food system at the University of Michigan while becoming change agents for a vibrant planet. UMSFP builds on a long history of interest in and work on food sustainability issues on campus. Faculty members and student groups were working on food issues for nearly a decade before the foundation of UMSFP. This program, however, fills various needs that existed in 2011 and continue today, including a need for central organization for this work and the lack of a campus farm to serve as a space for experiential education, hands-on community building experiences, and on-campus food production. UMSFP is spearheaded by a student Leadership Team, with guidance from an Advisory Board, but the core work of UMSFP is carried out by its 12 student organization Member Groups which carry out their individual missions within the broader mission of the program. Students have laid the groundwork for growth of this program, with an operating manual, business plan, and standard operating procedures, and have developed a network of stakeholders across campus and the community. The Program Manager joined the UMSFP team in 2014 to support student initiatives and serve as a stable point of contact within that stakeholder network.

The Program Specialist supports the student-driven nature of this program by directing the administration and management of student development, programming, and budgetary aspects of UMSFP. This includes, but is not limited to, working closely with UMSFP student Leadership Team to coordinate programming; mentoring student leaders in navigating the university and creating lasting change; overseeing the trajectory of UMSFP and the Campus Farm; operating the program budget in partnership with student leaders; working with student leaders to document procedures for creating and maintaining on-campus gardens; serving as point of contact for key university departments such as Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum (MBGNA), Graham Sustainability Institute, Occupational Safety and Environmental Health (OSEH), Office of Campus Sustainability (OCS), and various academic departments, and acting as liaison between student leaders and campus and off-campus entities.

Duties & Responsibilities
Student Supervision and Mentorship (25%)
• Provide support and guide the UMSFP student Leadership Team, Campus Farm interns, and Member Group Council by facilitating efficient communication and acting as a point of contact within the Ann Arbor area community and serving as an expert in navigating within the University
Campus and Community Relations (25%)
• Promote a positive relationship with all internal and external stakeholders, especially students
Champion efforts for diversity, equity and inclusion within UMSFP and the campus community
• Meet regularly with U-M stakeholders to cultivate relationships and strategically guide the growth of the program
• Serve as a constant contact point at U-M for both external groups (unaffiliated with U-M) and internally (OSEH, Student Life, MBGNA, Graham Institute, OCS, faculty, staff, students and others) to facilitate communication between the annual Leadership Team, Member Groups, the University, and community partners
• Join students in representing UMSFP at pertinent events to create visibility and cultivate community and University relationships (on and off campus fairs like Earth Fest, Festifall, Local Food Summit, Harvest Festival, etc.)

Campus Farm Operations (15%)
• Collaborate with Campus Farm Manager to connect the Campus Farm with student groups, activities, events, and projects
• Partner with Campus Farm Manager to orient summer interns and work-study students with Campus Farm and Cultivating Community
• Collaborate with Campus Farm staff and students to compile and streamline the use of summer volunteering lists
• Create a bridge between Michigan Dining and Campus Farm in providing high quality produce to food service outlets across campus such as U-go’s and Fields Café
• Partner with Campus Farm students and staff to establish practices and messaging regarding a high standard of safety and quality with food production, harvesting, processing, and distribution
Programming (20%)
• Provide logistical support for student-driven programming that integrates a diversity of interests around campus (e.g., UMSFP Harvest Festival and other educational events)
• Coordinate with Leadership Team and Campus Farm staff if necessary in developing program ideas originating from outside UMSFP (e.g. Telluride summer course visits to Campus Farm, CSP Summer Bridge Scholars Program, General Electric leadership development day, Local Food Summit)
• Assist student farm staff and UMSFP Leadership Team, with guidance from MBGNA and UMSFP Advisory Board, in meeting goals of UMSFP Business Plan and adjust goals accordingly
• Support students in developing inclusive programming

Development (5%)
• Serve as the PIC for student-driven fundraising activities
• Help identify and secure U-M and other sources of funds that are inaccessible to students acting alone (e.g., Transforming Learning for a Third Century funds)
• Work closely with fundraising staff in Student Life, the Graham Institute, and Matthaei Botanical Gardens to identify and apply for pertinent funding opportunities to support staff, including student interns, and projects
• Budgeting (5%)
• Manage the program budget in consultation with the Leadership Team and MBGNA
• Provide the necessary credentials to authorize spending for UMSFP and the Campus Farm

Strategic Planning and Visioning (5%)
• Steward a long-term vision for the program based upon experience with the Leadership Team and Member Group Council each year

Education and Experience
Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative and professional manner
Ability to work in a matrix organization with multiple lines of accountability
Experience organizing people to consensus
Experience in leadership development and mentoring of others
Strong work ethic and positive attitude
Willingness to work a flexible schedule with seasonality of workload demands
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Bachelor’s Degree with 1-2 years relevant experience
Energy, passion, and patience to support and grow the sustainable food community on campus
Desired Qualifications*
Experience working in a university setting as staff or student organizer
Experience with small-scale farming, ideally with working knowledge of permaculture or strong willingness to learn
Experience working with multiple stakeholders including, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners
Experience managing budgets
Experience in grant writing or business development
Degree in education, leadership, environmental science, and/or sustainable agriculture
Master’s Degree or comparable experience

Learn more about these positions by going to the UM Jobs Career website at http://umjobs.org/. Search for the UM Sustainable Food Program Specialist job by job opening ID – 128551. Search for the Campus Farm Manager by job opening ID – 128358.