AmeriCorps VISTA positions are paid volunteer positions. The living stipend is minimal and supplementary to the volunteer time committed to this work.
Full time (approximately 40 hours per week)
Begin Date: August 8, 2008 End Date: August 7, 2009
REQURIED CRITERIA: minimum age 18, retired persons also welcome to apply, some college education, good social and interpersonal communication skills, good writing and computer skills, effective group leadership skills, experience in community organizing and recruiting, commitment to WEI mission and North Circle program, interest in organic farming and the organic farming movement, ability to work independently and as a team player, responsible and efficient work ethic, driver's license and good sense
PREFERRED CRITERIA: experience working or living on a farm, local area resident in East Central Minnesota, experience with organic farming, understanding of building construction process and/or experience in food value-added processing
VISTA Duties: The Vista will continue to develop the third year of WEI's North Circle Project which will be aimed at more direct recruiting of farmers as growers and stewards of the project; beginning construction of the processing house and implementation of the first pilot year of product development; continued development of community education and outreach on organic farming and local food security. This year will involve a lot of direct work with farmers and expanded farmer training in organic farming in preparation for the first year of North Circle production, development of the Good Soil Farmer's Market in North Branch, as well as working with elected officials and county commissioners to bring organic farming into view as a rural development strategy with a special focus on small family farms, beginning organic farmers and farms-at-risk.
AmeriCore VISTA Program Benefits: childcare assistance if eligible, choice of education award or end-of-service stipend, health coverage, living allowance, relocation allowance, VISTA and on-the job training, possible on-site year-round residency at WEI
WEI as AmeriCorps VISTA Service Location: The Women's Environmental Institute is committed to a mission of environmental justice, agricultural and food justice, sustainability and food security. The North Circle Project, now it its second year, is aimed at promoting organic and sustainable farming by opening doors to new markets for locally grown fruit and vegetables. Farms form the cornerstone of our rural communities. By strengthening the rural farm economy, we increase food security, preserve the character and viability of our rural communities, practice good stewardship the land and put good healthy food on the family table. The North Circle Project seeks to build a collaborative community of organic growers around a new business venture: a state and organically certified kitchen and processing facility for making a line of value-added vegetable and fruit products to be marketed locally under the North Circle community brand. The AmeriCorps Vista volunteer will help coordinate the third year of this project.
