FarmStart Volunteer Opportunity

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Author: Sasha McNicoll

Posted: April 28, 2011

Categories: Food in the News

We are looking for a motivated and organized individual who wants to connect with Ontario’s ecological agriculture community, develop practical farming skills and knowledge, and participate in a dynamic and action-oriented organization that is dedicated to training new farmers!

In this position, you will attend a series of workshop and tours led by some of Ontario’s most inspiring and successful ecological farmers.

Position: On-Farm Event Coordinator

Type: 6 month volunteer (details below)

Organization: FarmStart

Location: Guelph, Ontario

Who we are

FarmStart is a not-for-profit organization, whose goal is to encourage and support a new generation of farmers to develop locally oriented, ecologically sound and economically viable enterprises. We support new famers through training opportunities, incubator farms, and start-up support. We aim to be as innovative and enterprising as the farmers we work with, and we’d love you to be a part of it.

Volunteer Opportunity

FarmStart’s On-Farm Event Coordinator is a volunteer position staring May 2011 and lasting until November 1st 2011. The position involves approximately 6 to 10 full days of work depending on availability ( up to 10 hours per day) on weekends, coordinating on-farm workshops (ex: pastured pigs, pastured poultry, soil health) and farm tours. This position will require driving to farms across southern and central Ontario (travel expenses will be covered). Visit http://www.farmstart.ca/workshops/ for a list of FarmStart workshops

Responsibilities include:

  • Purchasing snacks
  • Bringing necessary supplies
  • Setting up projector and slide show
  • Taking registrations and payment
  • General set-up and clean up
  • Introducing FarmStart
  • Supporting facilitator as needed
  • Collecting evaluations
  • Documenting the event (blog post, pictures or video)

Assets

  • Experience coordinating events
  • Experience public speaking
  • Familiarity with setting up audio visual presentations, including laptop, projector, power point (training will be provided)
  • Practical farming experience
  • Knowledge of ecological, direct market and mid scale agriculture
  • Excellent oral communication skills
  • Timely and attentive to details
  • Relationship-building skills
  • Ability to see tasks through
  • Familiarity with broader farm community in Ontario
  • Experience working or volunteering with non-profit organizations
  • Video experience

Position Requirements

  • Access to a car and valid driver’s license

A complete application will consist of:

  • A resume outlining relevant experience
  • A cover letter describing why you would be a good fit for this position

Email resume and cover letter in a single document to jobs@farmstart.ca.