Employment
Volunteer Opportunities
Education Associate
hiring in February 2024
Position Description
The Education Associate will co-lead the food, farming and nature education programming, including an apprentice program, new youth development programs and support all education programs. This includes the associated outreach through promotional activities, materials and the management and recruitment of volunteers, interns, apprentices and docents.
Farming: components include co-managing the up to 1-acre Discovery Garden, Education Fields, pygmy goats and chicken flocks, as well as, coordinating with farm staff and volunteers to accomplish large seasonal projects.
Programs: We run seasonal field trips and Farm Immersions (February-June & Sept-Nov), a weekly program with Santa Cruz Montessori (Sept-June), a monthly Home School program (Sept-June), drop in programs (year round), Summer Farm Camps, Summer Leader in Training and job programs (June-July), a partnership with Food What?! (March-Oct), a 10- month apprenticeship, a produce distribution program (year-round), field and garden volunteers (year-round). During the pandemic we constantly adjusted and developed programs to best serve the needs of our community.
Events: Supporters Picnic, Fall Feast, Harvest Festival, Farm U-pick Events, Specialty Workshops, Birthday Parties
The Education Associate will work with our Education Director and Executive Director in the planning, implementation, evaluation (data collection) and development of these core programs and events.
The Education Associate engages and inspires the youth and families we serve about multiple aspects of the food system from production to consumption to food justice.
If you are interested in this position please fill out the form at the following link and include a resume and cover letter.
https://forms.gle/v2rEQ28o8cxGMhAt5
To see full Job Details visit: https://www.indeed.com/job/education-associate-f9614c163e1ef1bd?_gl=1*1cxufsr*_gcl_au*MTY3OTc0MDAwLjE2OTQ0NTM0MDA.
Field Trip Docent
Our Docents help to guide children around the farm and Discovery Garden. After attending a docent training, you will lead students on farm tours, teaching them about life cycles, identifying plants, and helping to inspire wonder! We encourage docents to teach a hands–on approach to environmental education, letting the kids explore the farm in a guided fashion. We ask that docents commit to a minimum number of service hours within a year. For more information please click on the link below:
Board Member
Farm Discovery is currently recruiting 1-3 new board members. Join our dynamic, diverse group of board members in serving our community in this important way.
We are currently looking for members adept in: finance, law, HR, tech and are open to meeting with people with other areas of expertise. We will prioritize candidates who grew up in or reflect the diversity of our community.
email: director@farmdiscovery.org to inquire
Event Volunteer
Farm Discovery hold several annual events on the farm, including the Sheep to Shawl Festival, Fall Feast in the Fields, and Harvest Festival. We always need volunteers to help make these events a success. Volunteer jobs vary, but may help involve set up and tear down, helping people check in, and helping with food.
Garden Docent
Do you have experience with gardening or farming? We are always in search of people to help upkeep our farm and garden; our needs vary and jobs may be on specific projects on ongoing maintenance. For more information please click on the link below:
Produce Delivery
Produce Delivery Volunteers pick up organic produce on the farm once a week and deliver it to one of 2 food pantry and meal programs in Watsonville or Santa Cruz. Deliveries occur on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. While all 3 spots are currently full, we often need trained volunteers to fill in sporadically. To learn more or onboard email Ulises fieldmanager@farmdiscovery.org
Data Entry
This you can do from the comfort of your home and your efforts are super important for the evaluation and funding of our programs. Add participants to our database, help segment our contacts, and more from our office or your own cozy couch.
Group Volunteering
We have many opportunities for your larger groups to volunteer with us! Perfect for corporate groups, church groups, clubs, etc. Please reach out to Stephanie at education@farmdiscovery.org to learn about these opportunities.