Alamosa, Colorado

Educational Gardens Coordinator

La Puente Home Inc (Valley Educational Gardens Initiative) -- Alamosa, Colorado

1- or 2-year term
Ages 20+
Mennonite Voluntary Service

 

 

 

 

https://www.mennonitemission.net/Serve/placements/mennonite voluntary service/United States/541054/Educational Gardens Coordinator

Filled until 2025​

I. Purpose:

The Valley Educational Gardens Initiative (VEGI) is a program of La Puente Home, Inc. and is a collaboration between local schools, nonprofits, and community members to teach gardening and nutrition to children. VEGI also provides produce to families in the community, the food bank and at La Puente Home’s shelter. The focus of VEGI is to educate students about the important connection between growing food, living a healthy lifestyle, making good nutritional choices, caring for the environment and being involved in the community.

II. Description of Duties:

This position will provide garden science and nutrition education to underprivileged children through the development of gardening and nutrition education in schools and summer programs. This position will also provide fresh produce to the Food Bank Network and Homeless Shelter to allow families in crisis to live with a healthier diet. Without this position, VEGI would not be able to provide this hands-on education to youth in the San Luis Valley, or provide produce to the emergency providers.

III. Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Implement Garden-Science Curriculum Program in grades K-5 in the classroom and the garden at Alamosa Elementary
  • Develop and implement fun garden lessons and activities for Alamosa Elementary Summer School
  • Develop, organize, and lead a 10-week summer garden camp for elementary students.
  • Develop lessons, activities and oversee children’s groups that visit the garden in the summer
  • Provide and operate a garden-related craft table for kids at the Alamosa Farmers Market
  • Oversee overall organic garden production at the Alamosa Elementary School Garden
  • Oversee garden operations, including planning and prep, planting and replanting, weeding, watering, harvesting and vegetable distribution.
  • Oversee and utilize social media, maintain relationships with local media outlets and contribute articles, photos and information about garden educational projects and events
  • Create good rapport with community by attending community meetings and events, making public presentations, and other opportunities to engage the public
  • Garden Kick-Off Dinner and Silent Auction FundraiserSchool/youth events including school carnival, Boys and Girls club fair, stone soup harvest event

IV. Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree, or a high school diploma (or its equivalent), and 6 months of qualifying experience.
  • Commitment to the missions of Valley Education Gardens Initiative and La Puente Home.
  • Experience and/or interest in education and serving children.
  • Knowledge and interest in serving with diverse groups of people.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Ability to fulfill tasks independently.


Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with or knowledge of organic gardening/sustainable agriculture.
  • Proven leadership ability, public speaking and event planning.
  • Strong organizational skills, project and multi-task management.
  • Basic Spanish language skills.


V. Physical, Emotional, and Intellectual Demands

  • Serving in warm and cold temperatures
  • Using tools in the garden
  • Occasional weekend commitments
  • Interacting with children who have experienced varying levels of trauma
  • Interacting in the food bank with clients in crisis
  • Having a basic knowledge of gardening
  • Passion for researching and developing new ideas


 

 

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Constituent ID: 541054