Good Cheer Food Bank and Thrift Stores
Last Updated On: julio 26th, 2022 at 04:08PM MST
Contact information
Farm Address:2812 Grimm Rd
Langley, Washington, 98260
Primary Contact: Stephanie Turco
Secondary Contact: Carlee
Primary Phone:
Type: Cell
Number: 360-221-0130
Email: garden@goodcheer.org
Email: carlee@goodcheer.org
Website: https://goodcheer.org
Internship information
General Farm Description: Good Cheer Food Bank serves the South end of Whidbey. We are a choice-based food bank and focus on providing whole foods and fresh produce as much as possible. The food bank is chiefly funded by the revenues from two thrift stores. We are strongly supported by the local community and receive regular donations from local farms and backyard gardeners. We participate in the Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Farm to Food Pantry Initiative and receive funds to purchase products directly from local farmers. Our garden program focuses on growing produce in the fall, winter and spring when donations are at their lowest. We cultivate 1.25 acres on 2 sites a short distance apart: our flagship garden in front of the food bank in 2009; and the Big ACRE on nearby unused school district property. We also grow for the SW school cafeterias, school garden programs, and share produce with other hunger-relief or social support organizations around the Island. We follow organic practices and transitioned to a low- to no-till system in 2020. The garden team is composed of 4 individuals: the Garden Team Lead, Carlee, garden apprentices, and the Garden Coordinator Stephanie. We'll hire for two other positions for the 2023 season later this year. One will be March-October 2023 and another will be for a summer position May - August 2023CRAFT Member Farm? No
Internship Starts: 10/1/2022
Internship Ends: 6/15/2022
Number of Internship Available: 1
Application Deadline: Sept. 15
Minimum Length of Stay: 8.5 months
Internship Details:
We are currently hiring for one apprentice position to help from September 2022 – June 2023. This position is hosted through Americorps. Terms are 8.5 months beginning either September 1, September 15 or October 1. End dates are mid-May to mid-June.
Description:
Apprentices will be included in all aspects of farm management in order to fully understand the flexibility, forethought, and stamina farming requires. They will work occasional (pre-scheduled) weekends covering basic duties like watering and opening and closing greenhouses.
Work includes:
–Field Work – mostly hand powered, but we occasionally use a walk-behind tiller
–Starts Propagation, Direct Seeding, Transplanting, and Irrigation
–Harvesting, Washing, Packing – estimating and communicating with the Produce Manager
–Record Keeping – planting, labor, materials, harvest totals
–Farm Maintenance – weeding, mowing, and keeping a clean workplace
–Plant and Soil Care – pest and disease scouting, soil impvrovement, brewing compost tea, etc.
–Composting – a few hot compost piles and worm bins
Apprentices will work in the food bank and donation center to better understand how our organization functions and to get to know the community. Other aspects of nonprofit management:
–Volunteer Coordination and Recruitment – individuals, service groups, work parties
–Outreach – social media, writing blog posts, connecting with food bank shoppers, site interpretation
–Community Engagement and Events
To Apply:
Americorps members must eventually apply through the MyAmericorps portal: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=104900.
However it is a very difficult system and we don’t want it to be a barrier to someone applying.
If you are struggling, please submit a short personal summary, 2) outline of work/volunteer experience or resume , 3) and contact information for three references. Answers to the following questions are helpful.
1. Why do you want to farm, and what has led you to apply for this position?
2. What is something related to agriculture that you are interested in learning more about?
3. Farming is physically hard, requiring both strength and stamina. What is the hardest work, both physical and mental, you’ve done?
Applications for the Americorps position will be reviewed on a rolling basis. All paper work must be completed by September 15, 2022. This is a hard deadline.
Educational Opportunities: The program will include lessons and trainings that support the professional development of the AmeriCorps member. These will be discussed at the beginning of the service term and at regular check-ins with site staff. These can include field trips, interviews with community members, classes hosted by the garden team or other community organizations, or trainings. We will collaborate with the Coupeville Farm to School program throughout the service term.
Skills Desired: This position is hosted through Americorps so all applicants must: --be at least 18 years old, --have a high school diploma or GED, --be a US citizen, US national, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the U.S. --No more than three previous terms as an AmeriCorps Member --Pass a criminal history background check, including an FBI check Some previous gardening or farming experience would be preferred for the Americorps member, but it does not have to be an entire season on a farm. Beyond that , we are looking for a capable person who has the physical and mental strength to perform hard, manual labor outdoors in all weather conditions, is familiar with the physical demands of farming, and understands that farming is not a typical 9-to-5 career. Someone who takes initiative, and has a capacity for independent learning; is interested in connecting with the community. A good team member who starts each workday present and ready to work. As a nonprofit, we rely on volunteers so expect to be around people more than on a typical farm.
Meals: Apprentices have access to food from the food bank and produce from gardens. Lunch and snacks are available every day at the food bank.
Stipend: --Americorps position: $3,143/month stipend (pre-tax), student loan forbearance, basic health insurance, childcare (if applicable), and an education award upon successful completion.
Housing: We will help the Americorps member find affordable housing on the island.
Preferred method of Contact: email