Company description

Shalom Farms is a nonprofit, food justice organization. We believe that everyone deserves equitable access to nourishing food and meaningful opportunities to grow, choose, cook and enjoy that food. We grow and distribute fresh, affordable, and culturally relevant food across the Richmond region while working to confront the systemic barriers that create food insecurity. On our two Certified Naturally Grown farms, in Northside Richmond and Powhatan County, we work with thousands of volunteers each year to produce more than 100,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables, shared through Mobile Markets, Produce Rx (PRx), and community partnerships.

Job description

The Education Associate will be primarily responsible for leading field trips for kids of all ages at our Northside and Powhatan farm sites. Field trip programming connects food and farming to justice, health, and community, covering environmental and social science topics that complement Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOLs). The Education Associate will also give farm tours for volunteers and visitors of all ages and assist with other educational programming. Additionally, they will regularly be
responsible for guiding volunteers in seasonal farm work. When not doing work related to education or volunteer management, this person will do farm work and produce distribution within our wider programs team, email communications and data entry related to student and volunteer visitation, and other cross-departmental work as assigned.

Key Areas of Responsibility:
Education Programming
Lead engaging, age-appropriate education programming that connects students, visitors, and volunteers to food, farming, social justice, and environmental science.
Volunteer Management
Guide and work alongside individual volunteers and volunteer groups in completion of daily farm tasks.
Cross-Departmental and Other
Supervisor check-ins, staff meetings, cross-departmental opportunities, and other related assignments as necessary
Detail:
Education Programming
● Lead field trips for students of all ages at Shalom Farms' Northside and Powhatan farm sites.
● Facilitate programming that covers environmental and social science topics aligned with Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOLs)
● Adapt facilitation style and content to meet the needs of diverse groups across age, background, and learning level.
● Prepare materials and set up learning environments before each field trip; clean up and reset afterward.
● Organize and maintain spaces and materials used by students.
● Give farm tours to visitors and volunteers that reflect Shalom Farms' values and spark curiosity about food justice and sustainable agriculture.
● Collaborate on educational programming that builds community, encourages advocacy, and fosters the long term growth and development of our volunteers.
● Assist with off-farm outreach and engagement programming as a tool for both education and volunteer recruitment
● Assist with the evaluation of the student experience at the farm.
● Contribute to and participate in morning planning meetings.
● Attend and contribute to monthly Education & Engagement team meetings.
● Accurately and promptly record any on-farm safety incidents.
Volunteer Management
● Guide and work alongside individual volunteers and volunteer groups in completion of daily
farm tasks, providing clear instruction and a welcoming experience.
● Determine appropriate tasks based on volunteer age, skill level, group size, etc. and adapt or modify those tasks as needed in order to provide an accessible experience to all volunteers.
● Uphold Shalom Farms’ values and participate in building a culture that prioritizes safety, inclusion, education, warmth and humility.
● Assist with the organization and maintenance of farm equipment and outbuildings
Cross Departmental and Other
● Contribute to and participate in relevant staff meetings, committee meetings, trainings, etc.
● Collaborate with the Education Lead on programmatic changes and special projects in line with the strategic plan
● Participate in general farm work and packing barn duties as assigned
● Maintain regular 1:1 meetings with the Education Lead
● Support data entry and record-keeping for field trips and volunteer programming.
● Assist with email communications related to student and volunteer visitation, as needed
● Assist with the distribution of produce at mobile markets and join other cross-departmental opportunities as needed
● Work both Shalom Farms special events
● Other related assignments as necessary

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline