Food Works at Two Rivers Center is seeking (3) part-time (15-20 hrs/week) energetic Site Coordinators for its summer Gardens for Learning Day Camp located at the Barre City Elementary & middle school, Green Acres Housing Site and Highgate Housing Site in Barre, Vermont. The Site Coordinator will plan and implement a six to eight-week gardening, cooking, and nutrition education curriculum for children ages 5 – 17, along with additional employees, community partners and site interns.  The position runs from May through the end of August. Additional duties include promoting the program, preparing and caring for the sites raised-bed garden plots, and coordinating community guest teachers.

Qualifications:

·      Minimum of 2-3 years experience working with elementary school-aged children·      A love of food, gardening, and kids·      Comfort in the kitchen, willingness to experiment·      Knowledge of sustainable gardening techniques·      Background in education and/or curriculum development preferred ·      Organized but also creative, imaginative and playful personality·      Ability to multi task·      Experience supervising others·      Experience and comfort with behavioral issues and communicating with parents·      Experience managing and working within a budget·      Strong desire to teach and to learn·      Interest in sustainable food systems, hunger prevention, and community food security·      Background in botany, ecology, biology, nutrition and/or sustainable agriculture preferred.

$12/hr  - position starts May 17^th

^{For a detailed job description or to apply please e-mail a letter, resume & (3) references by May 1st} 2010 to the following address:

Danielle Pipher

Food Works at Two Rivers Center

Gardensforlearning@gmail.com
No phone calls please.

Job Posting: http://www.farmbasededucation.org/forum/topics/the-farm-institute-executive
Land’s Sake Weston, MA
Job Posting: http://www.farmbasededucation.org/forum/topics/lands-sake-executive-director

Whether you’re a veteran student organizer or completely new to the Real Food Challenge, apply today! The deadline is fast approaching.

Regional Field Organizer (RFO) Program
Through this year long position you’ll learn network-based organizing skills, plan real food events (like summits and summer trainings), support students in their campus campaigns and receive mentorship from experienced young leaders. More info: http://realfoodchallenge.org/RFO

Internships
Individually crafted to suit your needs and ours, internships with the real food challenge are 20 hrs/week for 3 months (summer) and may extend into the school year.  Projects include video production and multimedia, blogging and social media, event planning, food industry research, campaign development and graphic design.

The National Team
Tackle the ins-and-outs of the RFC from a national perspective.  Help make real decisions on the direction of the campaign, connect with other national allies and develop your own leadership skills.  More info: http://realfoodchallenge.org/national_team

As Maggie, a former member of the National Team, put it:

Application deadline is April 4th. Please email David@realfoodchallenge.org for more.

Garden of Eden Project Seeks Mentors

Mt. Zion All Nation’s Bible Church at 10575 S. Creeps Rd. in Dewitt is seeking garden mentor/mentors to assist them in the development of their new Eden Garden that will serve Mt. Zion All Nation’s Bible Church and Dewitt food pantries.  25 church members and various youth have already signed on for assisting in the project and over 500 community residents will be affected by this garden.  They plan to extend this garden space in the next few years to include a pavilion and a children’s play area.

The Eden program is looking for someone to lead programming, such as teaching a Gardening 101 class to church members.  They are also looking for someone who can provide hands-on help in the garden and be available for horticultural and garden design and planting advice.  They are also seeking material and/or resources showing basic gardening step by step instructions, explaining the abc’s.

If you are able to dedicate your time to this important project, please contact Sarina White at (517) 327-6273; j_white5817@comcast.net

Location Manager for Door to Door Organics

The Michigan Location Manager is the critical link in the success of Door To Door Organics (DtDO). Location Managers are responsible for all local operations, which include the oversight of all door to door employees, inventory, finances, products, sales, storing, packing and delivery.  The Location Manager must be a do it all personality, equally comfortable behind a desk, managing people, selling products and working in a warehouse.  The Location Manager must be successful at building and managing the local team to execute the overall goals of the Company; while remaining flexible enough to step into every person’s job that they manage at any given time.  The individual will work closely with and communicate constantly with the DtDO Central team, including daily operational calls and weekly management team phone calls.  Employee oversight will include a team of packers, warehouse employees and delivery drivers, along with all operational equipment.

Essential Responsibilities

• Foster a team environment built around product quality, efficient operations and a strong work ethic
• Work to achieve a perfectly packed and delivered box every time, with the end customer experience in mind
• Expand sales in the local market
• Ensure that DtDO Central has adequate information on the local market to better meet their needs
• Work with the DtDO Central team to create and foster the DtDO culture
• Develop and document best practices both verbally and through the DtDO website
• Foster a team culture, where everyone is focused on our customer’s experience and is  willing to step up and support other members of the  team as needed
• Create and enforce an injury free workplace; demonstrate good judgment
• Actively promote the Company and products; lead and participate in sales activities as necessary such as presentations and distributing flyers
• If you don’t know or understand something, ask
  

Essential Duties

• Hire, train, develop, encourage, review and fire employees as necessary
• Enforce and maintain a safe and efficient warehouse and delivery operation
• Oversee the delivery vehicle fleet as necessary, keeping accurate maintenance schedule and safe operating vehicles
• Understand and enforce work place safety requirements·
• Fill in for any missing employee at any time
• Maintain disciplined communications practices with DtDO Central
• Act as the local lead for sales presentations
• Reinforce DtD policies and practices
• Develop and manage to budget expectations
• Perform other duties as needed
  

Requirements

• Must be able to work flexible hours depending on the work load, including overtime without notice (typical start time is 5am)
• Must have familiarity with Microsoft Office Word and Excel; the more computer literate the better
• Must have a clean driving record, current drivers license and be comfortable driving in all weather conditions
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs and function at repetitive work tasks
• Must be able to work in a refrigerated facility for an extended time at 35 degrees
• 
  

The Wisconsin State Legislature is now considering the Clean Energy Jobs Act, which contains programs that would make Wisconsin a leader in clean energy, stimulate rural economies and create new jobs.

But these programs will only become a reality if our state legislators hear from us! Opponents to clean energy legislation are mobilizing in the Capitol to oppose this bill. Now is the time to let legislators know that these policies will help Wisconsin – and help you!

The bill has great initiatives in it for agriculture and our rural economies, including:

• Energy Crop Reserve Program
• Renewable Energy Buyback Program
• Low Carbon Fuel Standard

Show your support for the Clean Energy Jobs Act by calling your State Senator and Representative and telling them that this bill supports farmers and rural economies and creates new jobs. It’s easy to find out who your State Senator and Representative are here

Calling is simple.

• Tell your legislators or their aides that you support the Energy Crop Reserve Program, the Renewable Energy Buyback Program, and the Low Carbon Fuel Standard within the Clean Energy Jobs Act
• If you can, explain how these policies will help you, your farm, or your business

If you would like more information, please contact Bridget Holcomb, MFAI’s Associate Policy Director, at Bridget@MichaelFieldsAgInst.org or at (608) 256-1859.

What is Emandal? Emandal has operated as a family camp/guest ranch since it was opened in 1908 by Em and Al Byrnes.  Since 1946, The Adams Family has continued the family camp tradition.  In addition they have added Environmental Education in the Spring and host the occasional wedding and private group retreat.  For 100 years Emandal has been a place for people to come and relax, learn, explore, reunite with friends and family, and meet new friends.  Emandal’s Seasonal Staff are essential in creating a quality experience for guests.

Why do people come here to work? We have found over the years that Emandal has been a great place for people to come while pondering life’s choices.  Working a season or two on the farm is ideal for transitioning from one experience to another…whether the end of school, between jobs, prior to graduate education, before a trip around the world, or while making decisions about a career change.

What sorts of jobs are available? We have a variety of positions available beginning as early as January, and a few more available in mid June.  End dates vary depending on the position, though usually late September-mid October.  Though we are a farm, we operate as a guest facility and the work reflects this.  We encourage people to stay more than one season so they can experience the farm’s life cycle.

Life on the farm… We think of these as the “pros and cons” of life on the farm, but of course what is a benefit to one person, may be a drawback to another.  With that in mind:

Benefits of living and working at Emandal:

• Natural surroundings offer ample opportunities for getting out, exploring and even learning.  These include the Wild and Scenic Eel River, lots of hiking and biking trails on property and in the adjoining Mendocino National Forest, farm animals and a garden if you want to learn more in your spare time.
• Opportunity to meet lots of interesting people-both staff and guests- from all over the country (and occasionally all over the world).
• Great food and housing.  The food here is always yummy-and you are provided 3 meals a day as well as food for time off.  In addition, all housing has a kitchen (or access to a kitchen) and most housing has private bedrooms and shared bathrooms.

Things to Consider:

• Privacy can be an issue.  When you are living and working with the same people in a small community, it is not always easy to find time to yourself.  We encourage people to do so and as the spring turns to summer, this becomes easier as staff schedules will vary.  However, if you are a person very attached to lots of privacy, you may want to consider this aspect of life on the farm.
• Country Life.  Though we feel it has lots of benefits, if you are used to the instant gratification of city life, life at Emandal will be a big adjustment.  We are 40 minutes from a town (Willits) of about 6,000, and the road to town can be treacherous at all times of year.  If you do not have a car, you may be at the mercy of others to get to town.  Also, we have no cell phone service and referring to our dial up internet connection as slow is being generous.  We feel like the rewards outweigh the drawbacks, but it is something to really think about.
• Dietary Restrictions.  If you have severe dietary restrictions, communal meals may be challenging for you. Though we serve lots of veggies, there is not always a “veggie entrée” option, and many of our dishes contain dairy.  This said, we use our own meat and dairy when possible.

Essential Expectations for all Emandal Employees

• Flexibility: easily adapt to ever-changing needs, duties and situations
• Effective Communication Skills: ability to clearly and constructively communicate with co-workers, supervisors, and guests
• Ability to work as part of a team: ability to relate to peers, accept supervision and guidance; proactively and responsibly problem-solve and take initiative
• Satisfactory Physical Health: ability to lift, unload and move up to 50 lbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will I have access to internet and phone? We do have a staff computer in the office, and some houses can connect to the internet if you have your own computer, however the connection is always very slow.  All houses but one have phone lines, and there is a phone for staff use in the office
• What is housing like? There are 6 different staff houses.  Except for the ones used in summer (which are “Sweetwater Bungalow” tents), they are all heated by wood stove, have shared kitchen and bathroom (sometimes 2) and have private bedrooms.  Some have private yards, while the one closer to the main farm house does not.
• What is Emandal’s smoking policy? Emandal is a smoke free workplace.  We do operate as an education and guest facility and tobacco use doesn’t fit in to working in close proximity with guests.
• What is Emandal’s visitor policy? Though we are happy for staff to have visitors, realize that it is not always possible.  Usually if visits are arranged ahead of time, and do not interfere with your work time, they can be easily accommodated.  Just remember that communication is key.

So…if all this sounds good to you, please read on about our application process:

We will begin reviewing applications in January. Please download the application for the job that interests you and send it, along with a cover letter and resume, to us via email, fax, or snail mail.  We plan to begin making decisions for the Spring Season in February, but will continue to accept applications until all positions (for Spring and Summer) are filled.If you would like to apply about a position after March, please email to inquire about availability as positions sometimes become available.  Good luck and hope to hear from you soon!

Please let us know if you have any questions. Here is our contact information:

Emandal – A Farm on a River
16500 Hearst Post Office Rd.
Willits, CA  9549

Phone (707) 459-5439
Fax (707) 459-1808

Email employment@emandal.com

Current Openings

Head Naturalist/Environmental Education Director (1) Hiring for 2011 begins in fall of 2010