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Job Opportunities
7. BE
A PART OF THE SUMMER CREW AT THE STUDENT ORGANIC FARM!
Position: Member of
the Student Organic Farm Summer Crew
Location: Student Organic
Farm, College Road, ˝ mile south of Jolly Road, ~3.5 miles from the main MSU
campus
Hours: Part Time
and Full Time positions available
Farm
Description: The Student Organic Farm is a 10-acre
educational vegetable farm. We run a 60-share year round CSA and a seasonal
farm market on the MSU campus. We grow over 60 types of vegetables and 30 cut
flowers and herbs. We run a year
round farmer training program and also have volunteer and tours regularly.
Students and local community members are a large part of our farm.
Job
Description: Summer Farm Crew positions. Job tasks
include seeding, transplanting, harvesting, irrigating, weeding and other farm
tasks. We are looking for hard working, dependable people to work for our
summer season (roughly May through August). We prefer people to apply who have
farm work experience and require people who have at least done physical labor
before. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about organic farming and work
with a dynamic, passionate group of students and staff. Summer farm work is
hot, dirty, and tiring and extremely rewarding! We offer veggies to bring
home, opportunities to attend farming conferences at free or reduced rates and
all sorts of other learning opportunities. We work in all kinds of weather so
applicants must be aware of these types of working conditions and must be able
to supply proper clothing (boots, rain gear, sun protective clothing, hats,
etc) in order to work at the SOF.
Qualifications: Team
player, hard worker, dependable, pervious physical working experience
preferred, flexibility, willingness to learn. Availability from middle to end
of May (or sooner) through August (or longer).
Pay: starting at
$7 with opportunity for raises based on performance and previous experience.
To
Apply: Please answer the following questions and email them to
Corie Pierce at [log in to unmask] . Upon reviewing
applications we will set up interviews individually.
8. Position Available: Seasonal Assistant Farm
Manager
at the Michigan State University Student Organic
Farm
Farm
Description:
The MSU Student Organic Farm is a
certified organic 10-acre diverse vegetable, herb, and flower farm located at
3291 College Road ˝ mile south of Jolly Road in Holt, MI at the Horticulture
Teaching and Research Center on MSU’s south campus. The farm operates a
48-week CSA supplying 60-85 shares year round from roughly 4 acres of field
production, 4000 sq. ft of heated greenhouse and 12,000 sq. ft. of passive
solar greenhouses used for summer and winter production. From May through
October, the farm also runs a one day a week on campus farm stand. The SOF is
managed by two faculty project coordinators and two academic specialist co-farm
managers who are also course instructors. Approximately 6 to 8 student
employees, many volunteers, and students in the Organic Farming Certificate
Program participate in the day to day operation of the farm.
Farm
Priorities:
The Student Organic Farm is an
educational farm. Our top priority is to teach students and farmers about
organic farming and gardening. We have three main areas of focus we use to
achieve the goal of educating students, farmers and the greater Michigan
community about organic farming. They include:
1) Year
Round Organic Vegetable Production with Passive Solar Greenhouses
– students at our farm learn how to grow vegetables organically in all
seasons and how to market the produce through our year round CSA and on-campus
farm stand.
2) Organic
Farming Certificate Program – we operate a year long (from Jan
– Dec) certificate program where students take classes at MSU on organic
farming as well as work at the farm gaining valuable hands on farming
experience.
3) Community
Outreach – the farm hosts day-long workshops for farmers and
other community members on topics such as transplant production, passive solar
greenhouse operation, composting, post harvest management, and edible forest
gardening / permaculture. We also offer tours to MSU and community college
classes, MSU Extension, Master Gardener groups, K-12 groups and other community
members. Additionally, the MSU registered student organization that is
affiliated with the Student Organic Farm, EFFS (Ecological Food and Farm
Stewardship) works to promote sustainable food and agriculture on campus.
Description:
Assistant Farm Manager
We are looking for an enthusiastic,
hardworking individual who can work closely with the farm managers to execute
the crop production and marketing plans including seeding, transplant
production, transplanting, field and soil management, irrigation, weed, pest,
and disease management, harvest, organic record keeping, infrastructure
maintenance and operation of the CSA and farm stand. Candidates for this
position must possess a demonstrated ability to lead and motivate effective
teams and model horticultural and organic farming excellence while training and
managing employees, volunteers and students. The outreach component of the
farm’s mission will also include scheduling and giving farm tours. This
person needs to enthusiastically advance the SOF mission.
Job
Responsibilities:
1) Co-Management
of farm employees, volunteers and students
a. Maintain a
high farm crew morale and work standard
b. Lead the
crew in day to day activities
c. Run farm
crew meetings (weekly or bi-weekly, depending)
d. Aid farm
managers with hiring and training new employees
e. Assist with
farm safety and food safety education and protocols
f.
Aid in recruitment of students and
volunteers for involvement at the SOF
2) Execution of
the weekly work list, including crop establishment and maintenance for field
and tunnels, infrastructure maintenance, etc…
3) Maintain
high standards of produce harvesting, storage, handling and marketing
4) One day per
week CSA and On-Campus Farm Stand marketing
5) Assist with
farm tours and basic outreach efforts
6) Execute
winter hoophouse seeding and transplanting (August through October)
Qualifications
Required:
1) Farm or
large scale garden organic vegetable production experience
2) Management /
leadership experience
3) Organizational
skills
4) Excellent
verbal communication/ interpersonal skills
5) Problem
solving skills
6) Enthusiasm
and passion for organic farming, positive attitude, energetic
7) Strong
desire to work with undergraduates and other students in a hands on educational
and production oriented environment.
8) Collaborative
and team oriented
9) Attention to
detail
10) Highly self
motivated
Start
Date, Hours and Pay:
Position is available May 1, 2007. The
position is a seasonal full time for the summer months (32-40 hours per week)
and then will taper to roughly 8-19 hours in the late fall and winter months.
Pay will start at $12-14 per hour depending on experience. Benefits are not
included.
To
Apply:
Send the following items to Corie Pierce
either via email at [log in to unmask] or regular mail at
Michigan State University, A430 Plant and Soil Science Building, East Lansing,
MI 48823:
1) A cover letter detailing your previous
experiences on farms, managing and leading others, and its relevance to your
interest in this position.
2) The names, contact info, and
relationship to 3 relevant references.
3) Your resume.
The
application process is rolling and we are looking to fill the position by May 1
2007 or as soon as we interview an outstanding candidate. Selected applicants
will be called for both an initial phone interview and then an in-person
interview. If you are out of state, we can arrange an alternative interview
process.
9. Allen
Neighborhood Center
1619 E.
Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48912
517/367-2468,
ext. 2003
Allen Neighborhood Center (ANC) on Lansing's Eastside has three
openings for VISTA workers (Volunteers in Service to America). All three positions will begin in mid- June
2007, though selection will take place by April 30.
VISTA workers with ANC
will enjoy a rich set of experiences working in this lively and diverse
community, while learning the fundamentals of community development and
neighborhood revitalization. Projects in which our new VISTAs will be working
include:
ˇ Community
Organizing/Outreach/Engagement,
to help build organized and connected neighborhoods of people
working together on a wide range of activities;
ˇ Our rapidly expanding
Food Resources Project, with its Allen Street Farmers Market and Hunter Park Gardenhouse (offering a wide
range of 'growing opportunities for adults and youth);
ˇ Youth Service
Corps , our job and life skills training program for
young teens who do newsletter delivery, landscaping, gardening, field trips,
and skill-building workshops;
ˇ Health Education and Advocacy, working with neighbors on priority
health issues
All positions are full-time, and each pays approximately
$750.00/month, plus benefits (Note: VISTA is known as the 'domestic Peace
Corps'---providing rich experiences, not riches). VISTA workers also
receive a cash award of $1200 at the end of the year of service, or if they
prefer, a $4700 educational stipend that can be applied toward education or a
student loan.
Candidates interested in 'healthy
community-building', community organizing, or neighborhood-based education
will find much to excite them here. Folks with solid 'people skills',
energy and enthusiasm, good written and verbal communication skills, and computer
skills are especially welcome. Familiarity with the Eastside is helpful.
Extensive training and mentorship are guaranteed. A one-year commitment is
requested.
Call Joan Nelson at (517) 367-2468 for further information;
or email her at [log in to unmask].
Additional information is also posted on our website, www.allenneighborhoodcenter.org. To
be considered for this position, please send a cover letter and resume to 1619
E. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48912 no later than April 20, 2007.
About Allen Neighborhood Center and Lansing's Eastside
Established in 1999, Allen Neighborhood Center is a dynamic hub
for capacity building and for activities that promote the health, safety, and
stability of families and neighborhoods on Lansing's Eastside. The
Eastside of Lansing is home to a diverse mix of people from a variety of
socio-economic, cultural, racial and ethnic backgrounds. This rich blend
of ideas, lifestyles, and traditions is reflected in a long history of people
committed to preserving and improving their neighborhood and celebrating its
uniqueness. Come join us!
EVENTS
10. Soil Quality and Composting to Enhance Crop Production
Presented by: Dr. John Biernbaum, MSU Dept. of Horticulture and Student Organic Farm
When: Saturday, March 24, 2007, 9 a.m. -4 p.m.
Where: B109 Plant and Soil Sciences Building
Parking is available in the Horticulture Demonstration
Gardens Parking lot off Bogue Street between Wilson Rd.
and Service Rd.
Topics to be Covered:
Introduction
to Soil Organic Matter Management for the short
and
long term success of your farm or market garden.
The importance of soil organic matter (SOM):
•
How SOM influences soil biology and reduces the risk from soil born diseases
•
How soil microbes digest SOM and make nutrients available
•
How SOM reduces risk of crop loss due to drought, flooding and soil erosion by
influencing
water absorption and retention.
•
Cultural (farming) factors that decrease or increase soil organic matter
How to increase soil organic matter:
•
The role of animal manure
•
The role of cover crops
•
The role of compost
•
Other sources of organic matter
Compost production and use:
•
Understanding the composting process and methods
•
What materials are available for making compost; pile building demonstration
•
Curing, maturity and assessing quality
•
How much to use and how to use it
There
is no cost, but please register by Wednesday, March 21, to reserve the correct
number of lunches.
Please
contact Adam Montri, Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS) at (517)
432-3381 or
[log in to unmask] for questions or to register. Space is
limited – please register as soon as possible.
11. Save the Date!
Michigan Farmers’ Market Association
Membership Kick-Off and Market-Style Resource Fair!
April 20, 2007, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Edgewood
United Church Fellowship Hall, East Lansing, MI
You are
invited to attend the membership kick-off and market-style resource fair for
MIFMA, the new Michigan Farmers’ Market Association. Reap the rewards of
being one of MIFMA’s charter members and a fellow champion for
farmers’ markets while harvesting a bounty of benefits!
•
Listen to SPEAKER Jim Farr, President of the Farmers’ Market Federation
of New York
•
NETWORK with Michigan’s most passionate farmers’ market enthusiasts
•
Learn about the BENEFITS that MIFMA has to offer
•
Vote for your favorite LOGO
•
Learn how MIFMA will help SHAPE the role of farmers’ markets in the
future
Everyone
involved in farmers’ markets is invited, so please share this invitation
with anyone you think would be interested. For more information on MIFMA, visit
www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu.
Please RSVP to (517) 432-0712 if you plan
to attend.
DON’T MISS THIS
OPPORTUNITY!!!
12. John Jeavons, known across the world for his
GROW BIOINTENSIVEŽ
workshops and book How to Grow More Vegetables: than you ever
thought possible on less land than you can image, will be visiting
Detroit and teaching two workshops on Biointensive growing
methods.
We are honored to have him visit Detroit and encourage you to take
advantage of this amazing opportunity to learn from Jeavons’
simple techniques, which are easy to implement in small spaces and
result
in a highly productive, nutritious and sustainable gardens.
Biointensive
agriculture is focused on building healthy soil. It emphasizes
garden
planning that uses deep soil preparation techniques, crop
rotation, and plant diversity to maximize yields. It also helps
gardeners understand human nutritional requirements and how to
effectively grow food to meet these needs
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
GROW BIOINTENSIVE Workshop
9AM
– 5PM. March 30-31st
Topics
covered: Environmental impact of agricultural worldwide, history of
Biointensive methods, garden garden planning, soil fertility and fertilization,
seed compost principles and techniques, compost crops,
Hands-on
demonstrations: Deep soil preparation,
out,
transplanting
April
1st - Economic Mini-Farming Workshop
9AM
– 5PM
Topics
covered: Planning for profits, sustainable
examples,
expenses, marketing goals, marketing
good farm models, and follow up resources
13. Video
IP Conference Opportunity on Insect and Disease Management for Organic
Vegetables
Thursday April 19, 6:00 to 8:30 at East
Lansing, MI (MSU Communication and Arts Building-Rm 204), and Ithaca, MI (RESD
building). This is a great opportunity to hear from expert organic farmers in
Illinois, Indiana and Ohio (no Mi farmer this time) and then an extension
specialist about organic management of insects and diseases. There is time for
questions and answers following the presentation. Hand outs are provided and
following the presentation you will be sent (if you want) a DVD of the
presentation. Cost is $10.00 per person, due to the cost of the room rental and
set up.
Please call Vicki Morrone for
reservations at MSU at 517-353-3542 or [log in to unmask]. Or Dan
Rossman at [log in to unmask].
END Have a Good week
All the Best
Vicki
Vicki Morrone
Organic Vegetable and Crop Outreach Specialist
Michigan State University
C.S. Mott Sustainable Food Systems
303 Natural Resources Bldg.
East Lansing, MI 48824
517-353-3542
517-282-3557 (cell)
517-353-3834 (fax)
http://www.MichiganOrganic.msu.edu/
http://www.mottgroup.msu.edu/
