Deadline for Community of Gardens Position on Jan 22, 2018

Seeking Community of Gardens Coordinator
Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture is seeking a part-time Community of Gardens Coordinator. The Community of Gardens is a network of gardens, food pantries, and community meal services throughout the Watauga County. The network includes church gardens, Lettuce Learn school gardens, plot-based gardens, and other community gardens, as well as organizations such as FARM Cafe, Hospitality House, and Hunger and Health Coalition.
  
The goal of the Community of Gardens network is to facilitate strong relationships between gardens, community volunteers, agencies working on food security, and community groups offering food to those in need. Community of Gardens is intended to strengthen food access and food security in the High Country through sharing resources and ideas, as well as coordinated, strategic planning.

Responsibilities:
Outreach & Communications (20%)

• Regularly communicate with network members, respond to emails in a timely manner, maintain email correspondence within the network, and send out monthly newsletters
• Facilitate meetings with stakeholders, including: Lettuce Learn school garden coordinators, community garden coordinators, food banks, and other food access and food security stakeholders
• Continue to seek out gardens, agencies, and community groups to grow the network
• Maintain and regularly update Community of Gardens website, email list, and facebook page
• Work cooperatively with other BRWIA staff, including assisting with BRWIA events, tabling, and presenting to community groups

Grant writing & Fundraising (15%):

• Seek out and apply for funding and resources for the Community of Gardens, including but not limited to: garden coordinator stipends, garden materials, garden infrastructure projects, and workshops related to gardening and education through gardens
• Work with garden coordinators to creatively fundraise as needed, including fall and spring plant sales

Volunteer Recruitment & Management (20%):

• Recruit and manage volunteers to work in gardens
• Recruit and manage a Community of Gardens intern(s)

Project Management (45%)

• Lettuce Learn
• Food Outreach Project: Track and maintain records of food produced and donated by gardens; Coordinating collection of excess garden harvest from community gardens; Delivery of produce and processed garden collection to food pantries in Watauga County
• Garden Workshops: Organize workshops related to gardening practices, food preservation, and education through school gardens
• Ashe & Watauga Seed Libraries: Encourage community members to utilize the Seed Libraries resources; Reach out to gardeners to grow and save seeds to replenish the Seed Libraries; Organize seed saving workshops

**Please note that while there will be opportunities for the Community of Gardens coordinator to get their hands dirty, this position primarily requires office and coordinating work.

Essential Qualifications

• Professional written and verbal communication skills
• Friendly, approachable demeanor
• Experience with volunteer recruitment and management
• Experience managing databases, keeping records
• Computer and internet skills
• Enthusiasm for and knowledge of fresh vegetables and fruit, passion for local food systems
• Ability to work efficiently, both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to organize and facilitate meetings
• Experience with community event planning, specifically workshops or fundraisers 
• Efficient time-management skills
• Driver’s license and dependable access to a car

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on gardening experience 
• Grant writing and/or fundraising experience 
• Coordinating experience 
• Creative energy and enthusiasm for building/strengthening community networks

Hours & Compensation

• The position is flexible, part-time (15-20 hours a week), with opportunity to grow.
• The position is based in Boone and requires in-office work and frequent in-county travel.
• Pay is $12 to $15 per hour depending on experience and skill set.

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to Courtney Baines at courtney@brwia.org with "Community of Gardens Application" in the subject line.

​Deadline to apply is January 22, 2018. Position to start early February.

---