Plant the Seeds

What happens with a dandelion? You see one pop up, golden in hue, and then a few weeks later you watch as it transforms into a fluffy gray globe. Eventually the wind scatters the seeds around, and next year you come back to find five new dandelions in the place of that initial one. The process happens over and over again until you have a most majestic field of flowers.

And that's how it works. You plant the seeds, provide fertile soil for them to grow, and then reap the exponential benefits over the years.

It sounds simple enough, but the reality is that it's hard to get going. It took Taylor a good four years to start a garden, mainly just because she was so nervous about screwing up or wasting money that she couldn't take that first step. She's since put the wheels in motion (and is excited for her third consecutive season) and learns more and more every year. And she tries not to kick herself too hard thinking about what knowledge she would have amassed had she started several years earlier. It always puts you in a vulnerable place to try something new.

We put some wheels in motion in our newsletter a few weeks ago when we offered up several opportunities for our readers. We planted the seed, and as result we are reaping an abundant harvest. Every week we get more people looking to give opportunities away. And we are trying to get more creative about exactly how we give them away (psst, we're open to advice; if you have creative ideas about contests do l et us know. We are always eager to learn!)

More than anything, we hope that you'll participate. Sometimes it's daunting to think about the possibilities, such as 'What happens if they don't like my submission?', 'There's no chance that I'll win', or 'What will happen if I actually do win?!' (more info to come about the aftermath of Taylor's recent win to the World Domination Summit and the incredible folks that she has met via the additional life-changing swag that The Hundred Dollar Club put together).

We urge you to not get too wrapped up in it all just yet. The most important thing is to not talk your way out of starting. Get going. Throw your hat in the ring. As this week's Words of Wisdom feature says, 'Vulnerability is our most accurate measurement of Courage'. So take a chance and put yourself out there in a real way. You never know what could come of simply participating.

Without any further ado, here are the latest and greatest opportunities knocking. Be sure to answer.

UVM FOOD SYSTEMS SUMMIT ticket giveaway

Win a free ticket to the UVM Food Systems Summit, coming up June 17th - 18th, 2014. We must admit that we've been dying to go the event the past two years, and will be eager to see a GFJ user make good use of the experience.

See our Instagram Challenge in the left side bar for details.

TEVA SEMINAR: JEWISH OUTDOOR, FOOD, AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ticket giveaway

While neither Dorothy nor Taylor were raised in the Jewish faith, we've both had plenty of opportunity to interact with it. We can always appreciate the intersection of food and spirituality, especially when it comes with a healthy side of understanding how humans interact with the natural world.

We're offering a free ticket to the Teva Seminar (details below).
Teva Seminar
June 9th - 13th, 2014
Falls Village, CT
Additional details

In addition, the winner will get a jar of pickles and a half pint of goat cheese. Still not convinced? Have you seen this viral video of Soft Baby Goat Love Pile? (We promise it will make your day). You get to meet the lovely goat girl (and if you're lucky, have your own soft baby goat love pile). Yes, we just pulled that card.

Here's how to enter for a chance to win:

Email info@goodfoodjobs.com following the submission rules below*:

List your name, phone number, and email address.
Submit a short essay (total length: 300-400 words) answering the following question: What's your favorite Jewish food and why?
Entries are due by 8 PM on Thursday May 22nd. The winner will be contacted directly via the email provided in the entry, and announced in next Tuesday's newsletter. We look forward to seeing your submissions.

GFJ & STERLING COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

Last week we announced three scholarships to Sterling College's new sustainable food systems courses. These are two-week intensive classes that cover food culture via value added food production.

The focused course format allows for two things: 1) an in depth look at a subject matter that interests you, and 2) the ability to swap out your vacation days for a life changing educational opportunity.

The deadline for the Artisan Cheese Institute has passed, but we're still offering one 50% scholarship in each of the following sessions:

Charcuterie: Butchering, Processing, Fermentation & Curing June 23rd - July 3rd ($950 value)
Fermentation, with Sandor Katz July 7th - 18th ($1,200 value)

HOW TO APPLY
Email info@goodfoodjobs.com following the submission rules below:

List your name, phone number, and email address.
You must include for which program you are applying: Charcuterie or Fermentation
Answer the following questions in the body of your email (total length: 500 words or less):
- If GFJ could provide any additional resource or tool to support the good food movement, what would be most useful/beneficial and why?
- Share your greatest summer memory, as it relates to food or any of your other passions.
Application emails are due by 8 PM on Wednesday June 11th. Our winners will be contacted directly via the email provided in the scholarship application.

ADDITIONAL FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Contests not your thing? Sterling has two additional opportunities worth noting.

If you feel the Green Mountains calling you, consider the Assistant to the President position from Sterling College.

Or if the greater food culture of the Northeast Kingdom is more appealing, Sterling College is hosting their first ever Food Jobs Summit on Saturday June 14th. Many of the employers from the area, including Jasper Hill Farm / Cellars at Jasper Hill, High Mowing Organic Seeds, and Pete's Greens with be present, with opportunities from entry level to major leadership roles.

The Northeast Kingdom, and the businesses that comprise the food culture in the area, hold a special place in our hearts. Taylor lived there (and loved every minute) for three years. Heading to the Food Jobs Summit not only gives you a great opportunity to meet potential employers and learn about what opportunities that they have available, but to get a feel for the surrounding area (yes, we understand that the prospect of moving to rural Vermont rightfully causes many folks to take pause). But there's no better way to ensure it's a good fit than to see it first hand. Stay tuned in the coming weeks for more coverage about the event, and how to make the most of a visit to the area.

Set your wheels in motion.

Cheers,

Taylor & Dorothy