Job Announcement
Farm Education Intern
Watsonville, CA
Full-Time Temporary Seasonal Position
Position open until March 31, 2022
Farm Discovery at Live Earth
Farm to Fork, Seed to Mouth, Child to Community Connections

About Farm Discovery and Live Earth Farm:
Live Earth Farm, established in 1996, is a 150-acre diversified, organic, family farm overlooking the Pajaro Valley in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains in California. Live Earth runs a year-round CSA with over 800 members, growing over 50 different fruits and vegetables surrounded by a native landscape of redwoods and oak woodland. Produce is directly marketed through local farmer’s markets, restaurants, a thriving web store, and our weekly CSA program.

The education programs at Live Earth Farm began with the farm in 1996. Farm Discovery at Live Earth was formally established as a nonprofit organization in 2007 to compliment and expand the educational programs at Live Earth Farm. FD hosts more than 3500 children and families on the farm each year for farm based, hands-on learning opportunities through 9 different programs.

Farm Discovery has a consistent track record of solid financial standing, and we’re on a growth trajectory. We are now looking for a new person to join our team and take a leadership position in the fields to drive our farm and food programming forward into our next decade of work.

Position Description
The Farm Educator will co-lead the food, farming and nature education programming, including field trips, summer camp, 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. This is a full time temporary seasonal position March through August with the possibility of staying on. On-site housing is available pre tax.

We run seasonal field trips and Farm Immersions (April-June &Sept-Nov), a weekly immersive program (Sept-June), a monthly Home School program (Sept-June), drop-in programs (year-round), Farm Camps, Summer Leader in Training and job programs (June-July), two large annual community events, a partnership with Food What?! (March-Oct) and internship programs. This position will work in concert with our Assistant Director of Education, and Executive Director in the planning, implementation, evaluation and development of these core programs, taking leadership on the farm and food aspects. Additionally, this position will be instrumental in developing and implementing internships and value-added products.

This position requires a collaborative individual with a high level of organization and flexibility, is comfortable working with youth and in the kitchen. You will be a leader in our organization, as a youth educator. You are someone who can engage and inspire the youth we serve about multiple aspects of the food system from production to consumption to food justice. You are approachable, a great communicator, and passionate about our mission. You get the big picture, while being a strategic thinker who can dive in and get the daily work done with a strong attention to detail. You’re playful, comfortable being you, and willing to share your personal magic with Farm Discovery students while creating safe space on the farm and in the kitchen.

Responsibilities:

Farming: components include supporting the Farm Manager in 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 have constantly adjusted and developed programs to best serve the needs of our community.

Events: Supporter’s Picnic, Fall Feast, Farm U-pick Events

The Farm Educator will work with our Assistant Director of Education and Executive Director in the planning, implementation, evaluation (data collection) and development of these core programs and events.

The Farm Educator engages and inspires the youth and families we serve about multiple aspects of the food system from production to consumption to food justice.

Responsibilities

  • Working with the Education team on farming and culinary curriculum creation, revision, and implementation for all programming
  • Lead farm tours and teach organic farming/gardening skills, environmental stewardship and nutrition.
  • Assist Farm Manager with seasonal and day-to-day organic farming operations.
  • Assist Farm Manager with goat herd and flocks of chickens through overseeing daily and long term husbandry. Facilitate planning and raising of baby chicks.
  • Maintain order and cleanliness of the Education Barn, Kitchen Classroom, and restroom
  • Support program, development and administration staff on community building and fundraising events (Supporter’s Picnic, Holiday Sip & Shop, Land Stewardship Workdays, etc.)
  • Participate in development of programs
  • Participate in program evaluation (quantitative and qualitative)
  • Assist in training and supervision of seasonal junior staff and field/animal volunteers
  • Restocking supplies and keeping tabs on necessary inventory of needs (animals, fields, facilities, arts/crafts)
  • Help create and share outreach materials for education programs
  • Build community relations & network to help broaden the organizations scope
  • Social media, marketing, blog entries

Expectations

  • Understanding of Live Earth Farm Discovery Program Policies, Staff Bios, Community Agreements, Staff Schedule
  • Commitment to great customer service during educational programs, including volunteer engagement
  • Passion for building community and deep relationships through food and agriculture
  • Positive, creative, flexible, and takes initiative
  • Ability to work independently, in a team setting, and in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
  • Complete tasks successfully and within specified deadlines: demonstrate strong time management skills implementing programs on time and on budget
  • Dependable with thorough follow through
  • Ability to balance multiple programs/projects at once; strong organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Good communication skills: verbal, written, electronic and with a variety of audiences
  • Desire to learn and ask questions; openness to different ideas/ways of doing things; think about what you are learning, what you do not know, observe & take notes of your observations; program debriefs
  • Highly competent in use of computers and necessary technology on a daily basis; additional software experience a plus (Salesforce, Google Applications, social media)
  • Physically fit to meet the demands of working on a farm with youth, experience/ability to dig beds by hand and the ability to lift 50lbs
  • Utilize and can exemplify tools or strategies for maintaining self-care and personal wellbeing to implement work/life balance
  • Willingness to work non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends as farm/programs demand

Preferred:

  • Cultural identity and lived experience relevant to the youth we serve.
  • Rooted in Santa Cruz County, particularly the Pajaro Valley.
  • Experience working with youth of all ages, infants through college age.
  • Cooking experience—catering experience a plus.

Position Details:
This is a 40-hour per week, full time temporary, seasonal position with paid sick time, and holidays and a Patagonia Pro Membership. Salary from $28,000. In addition, the farm will provide produce and fresh eggs. On site housing is available.

To Apply:
*Please fill in the following form: https://forms.gle/KDhbCza7PrTPsTnC8
the form will require the following two items to be uploaded within it:

  • A cover letter that shares the unique skills you bring to the table and includes the date or range of timing you are interested/available to start
  • A resume with at least two professional references

We will begin reviewing and accepting candidate material immediately.