Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS) is a nonprofit organization promoting the health and well-being of Vermont's children, farms and communities by providing programs to connect schools and farms through food and education. GMFTS aims to serve school communities in the Northeast Kingdom (NEK) of Vermont with school gardens, educational programming and fresh local farm foods, benefiting over 5,000 students. For more information about GMFTS, please visit www.greenmountainfarmtoschool.org.

This position is part of the Lyndon Economic opportunity AmeriCorps Program (LEAP). LEAP is a national service program that places AmeriCorps members with non-profit organizations throughout the NEK of Vermont to support those organizations in expanding their services that many communities rely on. LEAP supports their members in their path to educational and career attainment through direct service, on-going trainings, and professional development opportunities offered during the service year. Position dependent upon LEAP federal funding.

The primary responsibilities of the AmeriCorps Farm-to-School Coordinator will be to develop, grow, present, and evaluate GMFTS’ Farm-to-School Programs. This is a full-time year-long AmeriCorps position. The Farm-to-School Coordinator reports to the Farm to School Program Manager.

The AmeriCorps Farm-to-School Coordinator will:

• Develop and maintain relationships with GMFTS partners
• Serve as the primary contact for 3-5 schools
• Create lesson plans for programming and maintain educational materials
• Deliver GMFTS educational programs and events including taste tests, field trips, workshops and special events
• Plant, maintain, and harvest school gardens
• Recruit and train community volunteers
• Design outreach and publicity materials
• Use database to collect, analyze, and report data for program evaluation
• Photo document activities and download in a timely manner
• Work closely with staff, parents, food service directors, and farmers
• Facilitate Farm-to-School Committee meetings
• Serve as an independent member of a team of Coordinators
• Plan, organize, and attend community and organizational events
• Create educational newsletters highlighting Vermont Harvest of the Month
• Communicate organization’s mission through social media (Facebook, Instagram)

Qualifications

• Be a US citizen
• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Knowledge of local food systems and sustainable agriculture
• Strong interest in working with children, teaching (formal or non-formal) experience required
• Some knowledge of gardening and vegetable production needed
• Excellent public speaking, writing skills, and organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, rapidly growing non-profit environment
• Offer contingent upon results from National Service Criminal History Check
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

Compensation: AmeriCorps Members who complete their term of service in a full-time position will receive:

• A biweekly stipend totaling approximately $13,700 for the year (subject to adjustment based on funding)
• Mileage reimbursement
• Health insurance, if not covered under another policy
• Child care, if necessary
• Student loan forbearance
• A $5,900 Education Award for past or future education (subject to adjustment based on funding)
• Subsidized housing
• Career mentoring, professional development, and strong work experience
• Eligible for monthly SNAP benefits