Are you looking for a way to giveback to your community?  Join the AmeriCorps Vista program and support the Delta County School District Farm to School Program. We currently are searching for a program coordinator to start in January.

Start: Flexible

End: Flexible

 40 hours per week

Host Organization/Location: Delta County Farm to School Program 

Supervisor: Angela Flores, Farm to School Director

The Farm to School (FTS ) Program Coordinator will be involved in curriculum development, program planning, building sustainability for programming, recruiting and managing volunteers, fundraising, and ongoing professional development. They will engage youth and community members to build, maintain, and expand school gardens through a start-to-finish growing season. They will coordinate educational programs with 8 schools during the school year and educational programs throughout the summer.  Programs include farm field trips, guest visits, summer camps, garden clubs, and youth farmers markets. Members provide outreach and engagement at community events to promote Farm to School and the organization’s programs and mission.

Coordinator Duties: 

Work with school staff and administration to develop, fund, and launch culturally-relevant curriculum and school food and garden programs:

1. Fundraise for projects and programs via grant writing, executing fundraising events, and community outreach.

2. Recruit and supervise volunteers to support school garden and food programs.

3. Build systems and resources for ongoing maintenance and sustainability of the program after the VISTA assignment has ended.

4. Work with school administration and staff to integrate educational activities and programs relating to food, nutrition, gardening, and sustainability for the school community.

5. Develop and work with AmeriCorps Garden Educators to implement nutrition and agriculture curriculum during the school year and summer growing season.

6. Work with AmeriCorps Garden Educators to recruit community experts and develop and implement education for Summer Programs.

7. Streamline communication about school food and garden programs within the school community, including administration, teachers, parents, and students.

Build systems for efficiency and sustainability of food access programs, including localizing the procurement and purchasing of local produce:

1. Survey school community to identify local sources of ingredients, including gardeners, farmers, ranchers, fisherman, and distributors

2. Help to safely source produce from school garden to incorporate into food and nutrition education programs

3. Assist with expanding on-site gardens based on produce needs, by working with school staff and recruiting community volunteers

4. Track and report on % increases in consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables with the school community.

AmeriCorps Member Benefits

Members will receive living allowance payments totaling $16,201.92/ $675.08 bi-weekly pay periods.

The Member receives a $6,895.00 Education Award upon successful completion of service or an End of Service Stipend of $1,800. Professional development and training, and attendance at the Community Resource Center's Vista Program trainings.

Provided workers compensation, unemployment insurance. Eligible for Student Loan Forbearance during service. Eligible for Federal Assistance Programs.

Vista Alumni have the option to use the Non-Competitive Eligibililty hiring status to obtain federal employment after their year of service.

Minimum Eligibility for Program
18 years of age
U.S. Citizen or lawful resident
Able to pass a Federal Background check
High School Diploma / GED, or be working to obtain one during year of service

Access the application HERE, email farmtoschool@deltaschools.com for more info or visit the Community Resource Center to learn more about the AmeriCorps Vista program and National Service.

Start: January 2023

End: January 2024

 35-40 hours per week

Host Organization/Location: Delta County Farm to School Program 

Supervisor: Angela Flores, Wellness Coordinator

Brief Program Description

The Mountain Roots Healthy Futures Program builds community food security by creating synergies among education initiatives, nutrition and food access programs, public health and human services, and agricultural/conservation programs in the central Rocky Mountains and southwestern Colorado. Community-driven initiatives in the Healthy Futures Program include Farm to School, Sustainable Agriculture & Community Gardens, Hunger Solutions (Food Security), and Public Health programs, working together to build and sustain healthy communities, healthy people, and a healthy environment.

Brief Position Description

Within a Colorado mountain community Farm to School program, you’ll lead agriculutural work and decisions in 8 school gardens, teach hands-on lessons in environmental science, food & nutrition, and outdoor experience summer camps. The position requires extensive time outdoors and exposure to natural elements and physical labor affiliated with agricultural farming.

Service Description

Farm to School (F2S) AmeriCorps Members are part of a team that works with Delta County Farm to School staff and volunteers to connect youth to the earth, to their food, and to the community as part of our district-wide Farm to School program, bridging gaps that enable partner organizations to be more efficient and effective at providing nutrition, health, and garden-based environmental education to rural youth.

F2S Members engage youth, team members, and community members to build, maintain, and expand school gardens through a start-to-finish growing season. Programs include farm field trips, guest visits, summer camps, garden clubs, and youth farmers markets. Members provide outreach and engagement at community events to promote Farm to School and the organization’s programs and mission. Members gain exposure to organic agriculture, curriculum development, program planning, volunteer engagement, and participate in ongoing professional development.

We look for candidates that are passionate, patient, flexible, intelligent, creative, kind, caring, self-motivated team players, and who feel strongly about the importance of connecting kids to the source of their food for the betterment of themselves, their communities, and the larger world. Background or experience with experiential education, environmental studies, sustainable agriculture, local food systems, and health/nutrition, experience working with youth, strong professional communication skills, computer skills, and clean driving record This position has recurring access to vulnerable populations.

Member Duties

• Build, maintain, and expand school gardens through a start-to-finish growing season.

• Lead garden maintenace and professional development activities with Farm to School team members

• Deliver hands-on curriculum on nutrition, gardens, food sources, environmental science, cooking, and sustainability with students grades K-6, and in summer camp settings.

• Introduce fresh local foods through tastings, garden clubs, summer programs, and other activities.

Healthy Futures AmeriCorps Member Benefits

Members will receive living allowance payments totaling $12,000/ $595.88 bi-weekly pay periods.

The Member receives a $4,366.50 Education Award upon successful completion of service, professional development and training, and attendance at statewide AmeriCorps Member conferences.

Provided workers compensation, unemployment insurance. Eligible for Student Loan Forbearance during service. Eligible for Federal Assistance Programs.

Minimum Eligibility for Program
18 years of age
U.S. Citizen or lawful resident
Able to pass a Federal Background check
High School Diploma / GED, or be working to obtain one during year of service

For more info visit: https://www.mountainrootsfoodproject.org/healthy-futures

To apply: email completed application to farmtoschool@deltaschools.com Please reach out with any questions