School gardens inspire curiosity in food, science, nature, and the environment. Garden lessons and activities expose young people to growing and preparing fresh nutritious foods and provide an important connection to nature. The Walla Walla Valley Farm to School Program (WWVF2S), a program of the Sustainable Living Center, seeks to inspire healthy communities through food, farm and garden experience. WWVF2S is a dynamic team of driven educators working to get the community excited about nutritious food, building relationships, and connecting with the natural environment. WWVF2S is seeking individual(s) to join our Garden Education Manager (GEM) team in the vital role of planning, coordinating, and delivering garden programming in an elementary school setting and caring for school gardens in Walla Walla and/or College Place elementary school(s) on a part-time or full-time, ongoing basis. The role’s primary focus is to engage students in the 21’st Century Learning (21CCLC) after school program in garden and garden related lessons/activities. GEMs are responsible for their school garden(s) and are instrumental in promoting the benefits of school gardens to students, parents and staff, and building excitement around garden efforts. Additionally, GEMs support awareness and community building outside of the school/school garden setting, including conducting outreach, hosting workshops, assisting with Farm Field Trips and similar activities. |
- Work as part of the GEM team to care for the program’s gardens and build enthusiasm around garden activities. Activities will take place at gardens, in classrooms or other designated elementary school spaces, at the Sustainable Living Center/Walla Walla Valley Farm to School office at the Walla Walla Community College’s Water & Environmental Center, and in the community
- Partner closely with 21CCLC staff to:
- Provide engaging, relevant programming/lessons/activities to after school students
- Prepare for lessons – plan for volunteer/intern assistance where applicable
- Communicate and plan for scheduled student time and any specific scheduling needs
- Identify and communicate supply needs – partner with supervisor/colleagues as needed
- Coordinate tasks with garden volunteers at assigned garden(s) - as applicable
- Offer Garden Club activities outside of regular programming, as applicable
- Communicate and coordinate garden schedule
- Schedule and prepare club activities, if applicable. Recruit and involve parents and volunteers
- Take extra garden produce to the cafeteria for use in meals or for distribution to students/families. Use signage to highlight garden produce served in the cafeteria
- Maintain the school garden as a safe and inviting outdoor learning space
- Work with community partners, team, and supervisor to provide garden activities in community
- Involve stakeholders and the community in garden activities by providing updates and information through monthly principal updates, social media contributions, and a garden blurb for quarterly Farm to School newsletters. Maintain impact worksheet, including produce harvested, students engaged, etc
- Participate in, and promote, home scale composting system and education in the garden and on site
- Maintain school garden, shed, and equipment in good repair, in order, and ready for its next use. Act as the school’s garden point person by becoming familiar with garden resources and working to develop relationships with staff, students, and parents
- Communicate with peers, partners, and supervisor to ensure individual and team needs are met, fostering a team centered environment that ensures the success of the program. Participate in webinars, team training, and team meetings regularly
- Other duties as assigned
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