Blackwood Educational Land Institute is a teaching farm on a mission to model the indispensable role of regenerative food systems in all our lives. By integrating natural systems, healthy communities, and animal welfare, together we can co-create better ways to grow and source food.

As a non-profit, we seek to:

• Practice restorative agricultural techniques to inspire and prepare the next wave of farmers and ecologists
• Teach a strong work ethic to youth as they learn where their food comes from
• Provide programming to cultivate awareness about how regenerative food systems are critical to solving our environmental crisis
• Demonstrate the essential balance of food production and land preservation
• Foster the discovery and renewal of relationships with the natural world

Daily, we commit to lifelong learning, diversity and gathering with family, friends, and community.

General Summary:

The Educator is responsible for leading instruction during field trips and residential stays following the Blackwood curriculum. The Educator will follow the direction of the Program Curator to expand the current curriculum and implement new programming. The Educator will also work with the farm team on routine maintenance, land cultivation, and harvesting in order to hone understanding of regenerative agricultural practices. Blackwood’s education is focused on regenerative agriculture, small farm management, ecology, and the environment.
 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Examples of current and past programs include: school field trips, school residential stays, farm tours, farm school, Nature Camp, and farm work.
 

Curriculum, & Program Content & Resources:

• Instruct and lead groups of up to 30 utilizing Blackwood’s curriculum.
• Work with children and adults, adapting curriculum content to fit the audience.
• Lead service projects with residential stays including farming and construction projects.
• Study and learn Blackwood’s curriculum. Work alongside farm team to master Blackwood curriculum content and application of farm practices.
• Curate new curriculum content under the guidance and direction of the Program Curator and Farm Director.
• Balance Blackwood’s mission with schools’ pedagogy and/or specific teachers’ lesson requirements during field trips.
• Assist farm team on farm related work (including manual labor) when there are no groups to facilitate; typically, once to twice weekly

Communications & Marketing:                                                    

• Work under the direction of the Program Curator to ensure successful educational programming.
• Meet with Program Curator before trips to review and confirm instruction for each group.
• Attend monthly Blackwood staff meetings
• Promote all Blackwood programs to groups coming for trips or visits on the land.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work outside for extended periods of time regardless of weather conditions or time of day.
• Ability to lift 50lbs.
• Ability to stay overnight on the campus when needed.
• Confidence to lead diverse groups of students and capacity to adapt to stressful situations.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience working with children.
• Ability to confidently lead a group.
• Experience in a farm or garden, preferred.
• Experience with manual labor, preferred.
• Ability to work both as a member of a team and independently, and accept direction.
• Excellent problem solving skills.
• Zest for education and making the world a better place.
• Ability to work across multiple functions in multiple environments, both urban and rural.
• Ability to work some weekends and adjust to program schedules.
• Demonstrate initiative and is a self-starter.
• Must have personal vehicle and current driver’s license.

BENEFITS:

Contact for more information about benefits.

EMPLOYEE CONDUCT:

It is the responsibility of every employee to contribute to a positive work environment and work towards the Blackwood mission.