MAKE Farm VOLUNTEER (Education Focus)

The MAKE Farm Volunteer (Education Focus) position supports MAKE staff and participants in school field trips, educational activities and day camp programming located at MAKE Farm. MAKE Projects operates MAKE Farm as a training program for women with social, cultural and language barriers. MAKE Farm volunteers work alongside staff and program participants to collectively grow, harvest and maintain a beautiful, sustainably-grown CSA (community-supported agriculture) program. MAKE Farm (Education Focus) volunteers play an important role in helping to educate to young students, campers and the public about nature, ecology, farming and how to be good environmental stewards. MAKE Farm Volunteers in the Education Focus track can also be trained in farm operations and support farm production activities as needed and time permitting.

About MAKE Projects

MAKE stands for Merging Agriculture Kitchens and Employment. Our social enterprise restaurant and urban farm located in San Diego provides an exciting learning platform for our participants togain critical social, communication and job readiness skills. We operate an urban farm and cafe to provide a paid, real-world work experience for low-income refugee and immigrant women and youth. Our vision at MAKE Projects is to see San Diegans cross social, racial, economic, and geographic lines as we gather over a common love of food, flavors, and culture. We believe in the power of food to bring diverse populations together, unite a community, and educate each other about our history and differences, as well as our commonalities.


Description

This is an UNPAID, VOLUNTEER position.

Position Overview:

• Volunteer Title : MAKE Farm Volunteer (Education Focus)
• Hours : Part-Time; 4-8 hours weekly; Wednesday, Thursday and/or Friday 8am-12pm; minimum 12-week commitment
• Compensation : None
• Location : On-site in San Diego, California

Job Summary:

The MAKE Farm Volunteer (Education Focus) position supports MAKE staff and participants in school field trips, educational activities and day camp programming located at MAKE Farm. MAKE Projects operates MAKE Farm as a training program for women with social, cultural and language barriers. MAKE Farm volunteers work alongside staff and program participants to collectively grow, harvest and maintain a beautiful, sustainably-grown CSA (community-supported agriculture) program. MAKE Farm (Education Focus) volunteers play an important role in helping to educate to young students, campers and the public about nature, ecology, farming and how to be good environmental stewards. MAKE Farm Volunteers in the Education Focus track can also be trained in farm operations and support farm production activities as needed and time permitting.


Who You Are:

• Professional demeanor: We must role model a professional work environment for our program participants to learn the social and cultural norms of a typical American workplace
• Kind and patient: we are a teaching environment for program participants and school tours
• Adaptable and flexible : small-scale vegetable farming + a nonprofit organization environment = a dynamic environment where a growth mindset and positive attitude are key!
• Strong attention to detail, compliance and quality standards - so you can follow our farm procedures and policies for a safe, productive and healthy farm and team environment

Key Activities

1. Work in collaborative team environment to support the success of MAKE Farm and MAKE's training program in equal measure
2. Learn and follow all of MAKE Farm's lesson plans and on-farm standard operating procedures (SOP) - and also reinforce, coach and support program participants to learn and follow the same
3. Lead or co-lead on-farm teaching stations for school field trips that give age-appropriate lessons about nature, ecology, farming and how to be good environmental stewards (training and materials provided by MAKE staff)
4. Lead or co-lead on-farm fun activities for campers or farm visitors (training and materials provided by MAKE staff)
5. Support MAKE Farm staff and participants with on-farm production and CSA harvest activities, as needed and time permitting

Qualifications:

• Strong social and communication skills for effectively engaging with program participants and farm visitors
• Positive and professional demeanor
• Must be able to follow all farm safety procedures, including tool handling, lifting techniques, and working around farm equipment
• Must be able to lift 20 pounds and stand for long periods of time
• Must be comfortable working outdoors in hot or cold weather
• Must pass background check

Compensation and Benefits: This is an unpaid volunteer position.


This is a 12-week commitment. MAKE reserves the right to end a volunteer's status at any time, for any reason or no reason.


Salary


$0 - $0 per hour