School Garden Instructor

 

Job Title: School Garden Instructor  

Reports to: Education Coordinator 

Employment Type: Part time (28 hrs/week)

Compensation: $17-20/hour DOE 

Location: Roseburg, Oregon

Start date: Flexible between November 2023 – January 2024

 

Umpqua Valley Farm to School 

UVF2S is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides school garden and nutrition education, farm to school, and community agricultural support throughout Douglas County. We believe food security begins with a strong community connection to the land and its food. By supporting local food systems and providing education to Douglas County youth and families, UVF2S cultivates skills and passion to build food-community connections. UVF2S aims to achieve an equitable and sustainable food system that nurtures and strengthens Douglas County’s people and economy.

Position Description

UVF2S is hiring two or more school garden instructors to teach lessons about gardening, cooking, health, culture, and local agriculture to 2nd-5th grade students in their school gardens and classrooms. They develop and maintain productive and engaging school gardens that serve as outdoor classrooms throughout the year. Instructors build relationships with school faculty and staff, volunteers, and community partners to ensure the sustainability and future success of the farm-to-school program in Douglas County. The position is part time at 28 hours/week and will work with two elementary schools in Roseburg and/or surrounding communities. 

Responsibilities

  • Create a safe, structured and warm learning environment for all students modeling respect and curiosity for learning, while encouraging students’ interests and talents
  • Collaborate with UVF2S staff and school faculty to develop lessons that are integrated with classroom teaching and core academic standards
  • Deliver virtual and in-person lessons for 2nd-5th grade students
  • Lead after-school garden clubs, field trips, and summer camps
  • Assist in the development of innovative virtual and in-person programming
  • Document lessons and programs, and implement assessments effectively and consistently
  • Provide feedback on lessons and programs demonstrating a commitment to improving program quality and rigor over time
  • Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and community partners to generate support and enthusiasm for UVF2S programming
  • Work with school administrators and teachers to integrate environmental issues, wellness, and garden activities into school events and curriculum
  • Collaborate with school nutrition staff to utilize local produce in school meals
  • Identify and train school garden champions at each school
  • Recruit a group of core volunteers to assist in maintaining gardens during summer break
  • Actively participate in weekly education team meetings, observations, and check-ins
  • Collaborate with the Phoenix Farm Manager around programming needs including crop planning and availability of seeds, plant starts, and produce
  • Support Farm Manager and/or School Garden Champions with site care responsibilities when called on, including watering and site checks as needed
  • Prepare healthy snacks for nutrition lessons, adhering to proper food safety guidelines
  • Maintain clean and organized work spaces both in the office and at school(s)

Skills and Qualifications 

We are seeking an independent, self‐motivated, creative, and enthusiastic individual who enjoys nutrition, gardening and working with young people in a fast‐paced environment. Preferred skills and qualifications for this position include: 

  • Experience working with youth in an educational setting
  • Gardening or farming experience, knowledge, and skills
  • Experience creating or adapting garden‐based lessons and activities
  • Experience in community outreach and engagement
  • Strong organizational and interpersonal communication skills 
  • Ability to multi‐task, be a team-player, and think creatively
  • Regular and reliable attendance
  • Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or Associates Degree with two years’ experience
  • A valid driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable vehicle. Use of a personal vehicle for travel between schools is required.
  • Professional conduct while working with partner organizations
  • Ability to work independently at times, show initiative, and communicate
  • U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident
  • COVID vaccination OR exemption letter is required to work in schools
  • Instructors will be required to undergo a background check with each school district and provide vaccination status which will be held on file with the individual districts 

How to Apply

We strongly encourage people of color, people from working class backgrounds, women, LGBTQ people, or those who are members of other marginalized communities to apply.

Please send your resume, cover letter, and three professional references to info@uvf2s.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Umpqua Valley Farm to School is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate against any employee or job applicant on the basis of age, race, national origin, religion, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity.

March is the month of the broccoli harvest!  Springtime is when we plant broccoli seeds in the greenhouse and starts in the garden.  Its time from seed to harvest is about 100-150 days, so we want to plant early to ensure a summer harvest!  You may see broccoli in your local grocery store all year, but it is most in-season in the late spring and summer time.  There are so many healthy and flavorful meals you can make from broccoli, and the Oregon State University Extension’s Food Hero has some yummy recipes listed in this month’s newsletter.  Read more about broccoli, along with recipes to incorporate it into your meals this month below.

 

(click image to download PDF version of newsletter)

From November 15 to December 15, we’ve set a goal of raising $1000 through SeedMoney

to purchase seeds, supplies, and a camera and editing software. Now more than ever, it’s important to provide youth with hands-on lessons so they can step away from screens and work with their hands. If we reach our goal, we will purchase the equipment so we can make short, instructional lessons to go along with kits we will send home with families so they can garden at home. Please consider sharing and donating! Our work cannot be done without the support of the community we live in, and we thank you!

squash blossom and bee
flowersorchard

 

October is National Farm to School Month

A month dedicated to recognizing and shining a spotlight on the accomplishments, success stories, and connections fostered from connecting kids, families, and communities to healthy, local, foods and garden education that farm to school programs are providing within schools across Oregon.

This month is a time to celebrate the connections created through farm to school programs across right here in our local communities in Southern Oregon. Times look a bit different right now but now more than ever
Umpqua Valley Farm to School believes in the importance of continuing to adapt and mold to our ever-changing world, which seems like new changes every day right now, with the mission to continue to provide food and garden education to kids and families.

Throughout the month of October, Umpqua Valley Farm to School has organized a booth at the local Umpqua Valley Farmers Market, along with a few other fundraising opportunities. Keep reading to find out those happenings and events!

 

October Farm to School Events 

Starting Saturday, October 10th Umpqua Valley Farm to School will have a booth open to the public at the Umpqua Valley Farmers Market. We will be there the following four Saturday’s in October, providing fun garden project kits, free activities for the kids, and even a raffle basket full of goodies from various vendors at the market. We will be selling raffle tickets each of the Saturday’s in October we are at the market, for a chance to win a basket filled with $300 dollars worth of donations from other vendors at the farmer’s market. The basket raffle winner will be drawn the last Saturday  at the market in October. That October 31st (Halloween) in case you want to throw it on your calendar. Be sure to head down to the market to sign up before.

We have partnered with several local restaurants  who will be donating a portion of sale throughout the month of October to local farm to school programs. Those restaurants include:

* Logger’s Pizza and Tap House will be featuring a special pizza of the month- created by our very own Umpqua Valley Farm to School. The pizza will be a featured special of the month and includes loads of fresh local ingredients. A portion o of the pizza purchases will be donated to farm to school programs.

 

As fall makes it’s way in and we begin our transition into October and all things fall, be sure to check out all of the fun ways to get yourself and the family involved in supporting National Farm to School Month.

October is National Farm to School month and it is also National Pumpkin Month. Oregon State University Extension’s Food Hero hub explains the various and delicious ways to enjoy pumpkin this month. Follow the link to read the full newsletter.