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Description
The Youth Garden Project’s 1.5-acre garden sits at the crossroads of Grand County High School and a well-traveled bike path. It includes an orchard, a flock of chickens, three outdoor classrooms, a playhouse, two greenhouses, native plant garden, herb garden, sensory garden, nibble garden, rabbit enclosure, historic home, commercial kitchen, and over 70 garden beds. Our mission is to cultivate healthy children, families, and community through educational programs and connecting people with food from seed to table.
Position Overview:
Under the direction of the Produce Manager, the Food education and Access Coordinator will improve fresh food access and agricultural literacy for students and people of all ages in beautiful Moab, Utah. This is a full-time, hands-on volunteer position supporting the operations of a highly-productive garden and education space.
YGP is excited to find an individual who is flexible, collaborative, able to work independently, exhibits strong leadership, and is enthusiastic about using the garden and process of growing food to teach academic and life lessons to people of all ages and backgrounds.
- Target Service Dates: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2023
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION
Lead 45-minute daily garden activities during nine weeks of Summer Camp.
Design materials and lessons for Harvest of the Month, our in-school program that connects students to their local food system during school lunch breaks.
Improve passive education opportunities on YGP’s 1.5-acre site that supports agricultural literacy for people of all ages.
Design and lead engaging ag and culinary workshops for youth, families, and/or community members that meet identified needs or desires of our diverse community.
FRESH FOOD ACCESS
- Partner with the Produce Manager to equitably distribute farm-fresh produce to food-insecure households through partnerships with local food pantries.
- Assist with food rescue efforts through fruit gleaning from partner growers.
- Support the distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables to individuals and businesses in Moab.
- Support garden activities such as planting, harvesting, processing, and more.
- Work with the Grand County School District Child Nutrition Program and Moab Charter School staff to design and execute a plan to bring more fresh, local fruits and vegetables into school cafeterias.
- Attend and plan educational activities for children and families attending the biweekly Arts & Ag Market in downtown Moab.
- Support activities leading up to the Spring Plant Sale, which supplies hundreds of local families with food plants for their home gardens.
OTHER EXPECTATIONS
- AmeriCorps State members are expected to average 40 hrs/week during the length of their service.
- Several evenings and approximately 1 weekend day per month for YGP events will be required during the growing season.
- You will be part of the rotating weekend chores (feeding animals, watering plants, etc) schedule, approx. 1 weekend day/month. Events and chores will be worked into your expected weekly hours.
- Be an enthusiastic representative of the Youth Garden Project at all times.
- Ability to work outside in all weather conditions, in an oftentimes physically demanding role (gardening is great aerobic exercise!)
- Other duties as assigned.
Desired Skills and Experience:
- Strong interest in working at an educational garden and furthering the mission of the Youth Garden Project.
- Experience and comfortability working creatively with fresh food in the kitchen.
- Knowledge of nutrition, child and youth development, curriculum design, gardening, cooking, baking, food and land justice, working with youth in non-traditional educational spaces, and/or a willingness and desire to learn.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Highly organized through prep and execution of programs including data collection, participation tracking, and evaluation.
- AmeriCorps members will be certified in CPR and First Aid; certification opportunity will be provided if applicant is not already certified.
- Please highlight if you are English-Spanish bilingual in your application.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be 18 years or older, be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident, and be able to pass a federal criminal background check through AmeriCorps and Grand County School District.
Benefits:
- Biweekly living allowance payments totaling $16,502 annually (before taxes)
- The option for a $6,495 Education Award upon successful completion of service
- Eligible for AmeriCorps health and child care benefits
- Eligible for Student Loan Forbearance during service
- Eligible for SNAP Federal Assistance program
- Utah Food Handlers certification opportunity
- Support with finding housing through YGP networks (not guaranteed)
- Professional development in gardening, farm-to-school, education, nonprofit work, and more!
- Live and volunteer in the beautiful red rock country of Southeastern Utah, a world-wide destination for outdoor enthusiasts
To Apply:
- Please click "Apply" below to send a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to Produce Manager, Sarah Bowen.
- Priority application deadline by December 1st, 2022.
- Applicants will also have to apply through the AmeriCorps State website upon hire - starting a profile on the AmeriCorps State website will help expedite the process at my.Americorps.gov.