Community Food Bank Farmer AmeriCorps Position - Good Cheer

Updated: over 2 years ago
Location: Langley, WASHINGTON
Deadline: 01 Sep 2021

Description:


SUMMARY
Program Type:
AmeriCorps State / National
Program
21-22 Good Cheer Community Food Bank Farmer
Program Start/End Date
09/01/2021  -   07/15/2022
Work Schedule Full Time
Education level
High school diploma/GED
Age Requirement
Minimum:  18    Maximum:  25
Program Locations WASHINGTON
Accepting Applications
From  06/10/2021  To  09/01/2021
Contact Carol Squire
PO Box 144
Langley   WA   98260
3602210130
[email protected]

Committed to creating a hunger-free community, South Whidbey Good Cheer Food Bank is the oldest non-profit on beautiful Whidbey Island. We enjoy strong community support and collaborate with many of our partner helping agencies, county departments and local municipalities. Our food bank is a model for dignified, grocery-style service which allows ’shoppers’ to choose what they need and want. We offer a large amount of fresh produce sourced from local farms, grocery rescue and our own organic farm. 200 hundred volunteers work alongside our staff of 20 in the food bank, kitchen and garden and in our thrift store operations whose revenues make our organization so sustainable. With this strong position in the South Whidbey community, Good Cheer is partnering with the Coupeville Farm to School program to connect our communities, educate a new generation of healthy eaters, support our local farmers and strengthen our local food system so that no one on Whidbey goes hungry Good Cheer grows organic produce on 2 acres of farm and garden for the food bank. We work closely with local farmers, the Organic Farm School, SW Tilth and the SW School Garden program to make sure fresh produce is available to all. We need a Community Farmer that can join and benefit from our collective efforts as they assist our team and volunteers in all aspects of managing a community, non-profit farm and garden. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis as applications are submitted.

The Good Cheer Food Bank Farmer will work alongside garden staff to help cultivate 2 acres of vegetables. Thanks to our mild maritime climate, we focus on winter production and have farm projects year round. Produce goes to the food bank, school garden programs and other community partners. Start date October 15.


Member Duties : The Community Farmer will help Good Cheer connect the many moving parts of operating a food bank that is committed to a healthy and hunger-free community. After gaining an understanding of our key functions, they will support our volunteers in the food bank, commercial kitchen, garden, and surrounding areas for gleaning. The Community Farmer will learn and assist with all aspects of growing healthy food while regenerating the soil and caring for the environment, from planning, seed starting, planting, weeding, irrigation, harvesting, cleaning, packaging and storing produce.
Program Benefits : Stipend ,  Training ,  Education award upon successful completion of service ,  Childcare assistance if eligible ,  Health Coverage .
Terms :
Permits working at another job during off hours ,  Permits attendance at school during off hours .
Skills/Eligibility:

Positions are through Washington Service Corps. All applicants must be under 25 at the start of their term, and pass a background check (including fingerprinting) to be eligible. Members commit to a 40 hour per week, 10.5-month service term and will receive a $2,308 monthly living stipend (pre-tax), qualified student loan forbearance , a basic health plan, childcare (based on income eligibility and need), and a $6,345 education award upon successful completion of the service term. 

How to Apply:

For more information and to apply visit: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?fromSearch=true&id=104900

Applicants can either apply through the Americorps website or by sending a resume and letter of interest to [email protected] and [email protected] (though all applicants must eventually apply through the Americorps website). 

Washington Service Corps is holding a virtual recruitment fair Thursday July 15 from 2-5 PM PDT. Interested applicants will be able to talk to partner organizations via text message, video or audio chat. To register visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/americorps-service-recruitment-fair-tickets-157143998931