Farm Specialist

ABOUT EARTHCORPS:

EarthCorps (EC) is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization with a mission of developing leaders to strengthen community and restore the health of our environment.  EC’s Corps Program is an intensive year-long training program that unites young adults (ages 18-25) from across the United States to learn skills in community building, habitat restoration, and leadership. EC program participants are part of a group of emerging environmental leaders committed to teamwork, service, and personal growth.  As an organization we are working toward a world where ALL people and nature thrive together. 

ABOUT WAKULIMA FARMS

The primary project of the Specialist throughout the year is to support a partnership with Wakulima Farms. Wakulima USA is a farming and food business cooperative that advances small business development and food sovereignty for low income immigrants and people of color in the Puget Sound region. Wakulima means “Farmers” in Kiswahili the most widely spoken language in Africa. Wakulima’s founding members are Kiswahili speaking African immigrants who are committed to preserving traditional farming and food ways and creating shared prosperity through cooperative economics. Our organization empowers people to harness their traditional food ways, modern farming techniques and food innovation strategies to build successful businesses centered around healthy, sustainable, local farming and food production.

Wakulima aims to increase the total number, net income, success rate and growth rate of farmers and food business entrepreneurs from the communities we serve. We also aim to decrease health disparities resulting from food inequities and to increase the perceived value of traditional food ways in these communities.

TRAINING POSITION SUMMARY:

The Specialist role is a 50/50 split between work at EarthCorps and work with Wakulima Farms.  This training position offers a mix of office work, hands-on habitat restoration work, farming work, outreach, and community volunteer event leadership. Office tasks include using online tools to attract and track community volunteers, designing outreach materials and implementing outreach plans, and targeted recruitment for community volunteer events. Field work includes onsite leadership of farmers and volunteers of all ages, youth engagement, invasive plant removal, native plant installation, planting and harvesting crops, maintaining tools and equipment, and completing additional non-volunteer field projects on an occasional basis.

This training position is supervised by EarthCorps, but works closely with Wakulima Farms Manager, who will be their support in day to day tasks at the farm.  This training position is offered through a new state initiative called the Washington Climate Corps Network.  There will be required events and trainings as part of this exciting new opportunity. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  Time in this position will be split approximately 50% Wakulima Farms project work and volunteer management, 40% EarthCorps project work and volunteer management, and 10% training and education.

Wakulima Farms Project Support (50%)

• Farm Consultation and Guidance:
  • Conduct farm visits and assessments to understand the needs and challenges of immigrant farmers.
  • Assist farmers in developing farm management plans, setting goals, and implementing sustainable farming methods.
  • Offer recommendations on equipment, tools, and technologies to optimize farm operations.
  • Prepare oral and written reports, including photos of community events, project summaries, equipment use and maintenance logs, and incident reports.

• Training and Education:
  • Coordinate and collaborate with Farming Director to develop and deliver training programs on various aspects of farm management, including soil health, organic farming, crop rotation, and marketing strategies.
  • Coordinate and collaborate with the Farming Director to conduct workshops and demonstrations to teach immigrant farmers about new farming techniques and emerging trends.
• Community Engagement:
  • Organize community events, workshops, and networking opportunities to facilitate knowledge exchange and collaboration among immigrant farmers.
  • Promote the diverse produce and cultural heritage of immigrant farmers through local farmers’ markets, festivals, and other marketing channels.
  • Foster connections between immigrant farmers and local suppliers, markets, and buyers to enhance market access and profitability
  • Collaborate with Farm Director & provide emotional support and assistance to immigrant farmers, helping them navigate the challenges of farming  

EarthCorps Project Support 40%

• Outreach, recruitment, and planning for EarthCorps community volunteer events.
• Coordination and collaboration with EarthCorps team of Volunteer Specialists, working together to deliver quality community engagement events and projects.
• Maintain tools and equipment on a regular basis.
• Prepare oral and written reports, including photos of volunteer events, work project summaries, equipment use and maintenance logs, and incident reports

Workshops and Trainings (10%)

• Attend EarthCorps organized orientations, retreats, and professional development trainings to gain skills to apply in the Specialist role.
• Attend Washington Climate Corps Network workshops and events as scheduled.

Other Outreach & Communication Support:

• Strive for professional, clear, timely, and open communication amongst EarthCorps and Wakulima Partners.
• Work with the Wakulima Program Manager to ensure clear, timely, and consistent communication.
• Work with the EarthCorps Senior Partnerships Volunteer Manager and EarthCorps Program Director to meet personal and program goals, maintain consistent messaging about the organization, volunteer program, and crew program.

Habitat restoration, farming and community volunteer work are physically demanding. Each year new members consistently underestimate the physical and mental requirements. The Specialist must both have the capacity to perform restoration tasks in challenging physical situations and ability to motivate others. Service regularly involves:

• Long days of repetitively shoveling, digging, and swinging heavy tools.
• Heavy lifting up to 50 lbs. and bending.
• Working in the outdoors in all weather conditions, including heat/cold/rain.

Please consider the nature of the work prior to applying and let us know if you have any specific questions or concerns.

TERMS OF SERVICE:

• STATUS: Temporary, exempt
• PERIOD OF SERVICE: January 9 to November 22, 2024
• TYPICAL HOURS OF SERVICE: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00p.m. Tues-Saturday, alternating Tuesdays off, some evenings, overnights, and weekends are required.
• RATE OF PAY: $3,330/mo before taxes; $430 per month housing stipend.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Capacity to take initiative, stay motivated in an office and field settings, and work independently.
• Lived experience and experience working with immigrant communities.
• Capacity to delegate, manage time, multitask, stay organized, and be responsive.
• Commitment and ability to serve for the full length of the training program.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Passion for and understanding of Wakulima Farms and EarthCorps missions and goals.
• Knowledge of farming techniques, crop management, and sustainable agriculture practices.
• Familiarity with the challenges and opportunities faced by immigrant  interpersonal skills to work effectively with diverse communities.
• Ability to speak multiple languages, especially languages spoken by the immigrant farming community, is highly desirable.
• Experience in delivering training programs, workshops, or educational initiatives
• Interest in youth empowerment, social and environmental justice issues.
• Experience leading youth and adults in outdoor activities.
• Experience in community outreach or organizing.
• Effective cross-cultural communication including sensitivity to and awareness of cultural differences and a commitment to working in an inclusive environment.
• Experience leading and facilitating in a team setting.
• Proficient writer, editor, and communicator.
• Ability to bring positivity, humor, and optimism to challenging situations.
• Ability to be flexible and navigate ambiguity
• Ability to commit to self-care in a highly social office and program environment.
• Experience in a customer service setting.
• Valid driver’s license and comfort driving 12 passenger vans and large trucks.

BENEFITS:

• Education & Training
• Days off & holidays permissible as designated by EarthCorps (10 PTO days, as standard)
• Medical Insurance
• Subsidized ORCA Pass for bus transportation.
• Boots, pants, t-shirt, rain gear, and safety equipment provided.

COVID-19 Considerations EarthCorps we are requires staff and corps members be fully COVID-19 vaccinated. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination must be provided before or on the initial start of employment. If you believe that you are entitled to a medical or religious exemption to our vaccination requirement, please contact Human Resources to start the evaluation process.

EarthCorps does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, political affiliation, or religion.