Barnstable Land Trust and Resilient Roots seek Land Stewardship/Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator

Do you, or someone you know, want to gain experience serving on the land with two local nonprofits?

We are seeking a Land Stewardship/Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator to serve with Barnstable Land Trust and our partner organization Resilient Roots from December 28, 2020 to July 30, 2021. This opportunity is provided by and supported through TerraCorps, an AmeriCorps program. Read below to learn about the position, and be sure to share this with anyone who might be interested!

Before applying, ensure that you are able to commit to the full 7-month service term totaling a minimum of 1,200 hours of service, from December 28, 2020 to July 30, 2021. Take the time to consider in advance your ability to live on a pre-tax stipend of up to $10,944 paid over 18 bi-weekly pay periods ($608 per pay period). TerraCorps members are responsible for their own housing and must have access to reliable transportation.

Position Description:

Land Stewardship/Sustainable Agriculture Coordinators Build the long-term capacity of their Service Sites by creating networks of volunteers to support hands-on stewardship of community lands. They have the opportunity to organize, train, and collaborate with municipal boards, neighborhood and civic associations, community members, youth groups, and schools to care for, improve access to, and support the long-term resiliency and sustainable use of community lands.  Members in this role may also help create raised beds or community gardens, monitor and maintain urban farmland, establish sustainable food systems, provide new farmer trainings, lead community workshops, etc. By providing training and organizing collaborative land-focused projects, they increase resources for communities, demonstrate responsible land management, help individuals build skills, and nurture an inclusive sense of public ownership in the local landscape. LSC/SACs generally spend roughly 60% of their time in the office and 40% in the field.

TerraCorps members engage with their supervisors to develop and carry out three or more capacity-building projects over the course of the service year. Some of these projects will involve recruiting, training, and/or managing community volunteers. Barnstable Land Trust (BLT) and Resilient Roots (RR) have proposed the following potential project(s) for their Land Stewardship/Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator:

·         Enhance BLT’s volunteer property stewardship program by developing and leading property monitoring trainings, improving reporting measures, and supporting trail map creation to recruit and support stewards

·         Enhance RR’s online engagement presence through the creation of educational videos and social media content

·         Partner with BLT and RR in development and implementation for permaculture garden design, land management planning, and visitor engagement for the Fuller Farm property owned by BLT in Marston’s Mills

·         Assist RR to establish community gardens at Homeless Not Helpless residences

·         Help organize and teach workshops and permablitzes (garden raising parties) and other educational events.

Development of these and other projects will occur during the first two months of service and consider the member’s interests and skills.

Desired Qualifications

·         Strong writing and verbal communication skills

·         Able to serve both independently and as a member of a team

·         Comfort navigating computer software programs (Microsoft Office Suite, website builders (i.e. Wix), iMovie)

·         Proficient with social media platforms

·         Training and experience pertinent to the Coordinator position and projects listed above

·         Experienced in training and educating community members and volunteers of a variety of ages and abilities

o    Able to be active outside in a range of weather conditions, and navigate uneven terrain

o    Willing to perform strenuous physical labor

o    Ability to navigate independently in the field utilizing map, compass, and GPS units

o    Strong interest in improving community food security and sustainable agricultural practices

o    Willing to serve some weekend days from March -July when events are held.

For questions about Barnstable Land Trust and Resilient Roots’ service position, contact Kelly Barber, Director of Land Stewardship, at kelly@blt.org.

Resilient Roots is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate and promote awareness about permaculture landscapes that are primarily edible and guided by ecological principles. We empower people, through our educational and outreach events, to grow their own food in a manner that is sustainable and uses local resources.  We provide a structure to connect, support, and collaborate with individuals and organizations interested in learning and practicing the art of permaculture landscape design. Learn more at resilientrootscapecod.org

TerraCorps, an AmeriCorps program, works at the intersection of land conservation, food systems reform, and environmental justice to create a future where land is the foundation of health and well-being for ALL people in EVERY community. TerraCorps believes in the power of local nonprofits to understand and serve their communities best. We also know that our vision -to create a future where land is the foundation of health and wellbeing for ALL people in EVERY community- is best achieved by helping grassroots organizations get more done. Learn more at terracorps.org

To apply: Click the button below and scroll to the bottom of the page.