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Thursday, February 14, 2019

Growing Hope is Hiring Gardens Program Assistant, Ypsilanti

Hello! 

Please see an announcement about a job posting for Growing Hope.  Applications accepted until March 1st, 2019. Thank you for posting or passing along to your networks. 

Thanks,
Erica 

Part-Time Position with Growing Hope

GARDEN PROGRAMS ASSISTANT


About Growing Hope

Growing Hope is a 15-year-old non-profit organization rooted in Ypsilanti, Michigan whose mission is to foster an equitable and sustainable local food system that empowers all people to grow, buy, sell, prepare, and eat nourishing food. We envision a community where all people--particularly those with barriers due to race, class, culture, language, ability, and mobility--have access to nourishing local food that is culturally appropriate and affordable. People can grow and prepare their own harvests, and may earn a living as a food grower, producer, or entrepreneur.


Our areas of work include Youth & Schools, Farm & Garden, Farmers Markets, and Food Entrepreneurship. This position will work out of the Growing Hope Center and Urban Farm, a 1.4 acre property in the heart of Ypsilanti. The Urban Farm is a multi-purpose space used for organic-practice production, garden demonstration, youth and adult education and events.  


Organizational Culture and Values

Our culture is rooted in our values: Transformation, Education, Justice & Equity, Placemaking, and Integrity. We commit to upholding inclusive practices and policies while creating space for courageous conversations as a staff and within our community. Instead of simply providing services, we aim to leverage the vast resources already within our community in order to empower and partner with participants and customers. We believe that community members have the ability to make their own decisions about their health and wellness goals and that Growing Hope acts as a resource to increase access and opportunities to meet these goals.


About the Position:

We are seeking a well-organized person who is passionate about building an equitable and sustainable local food system to join our team. The Garden Program Assistant should have a firm understanding of the health-disparities and other socio-economic and racial issues our community faces, and be motivated to change them. This person's primary responsibilities will be bringing Growing Hope's vision closer to a reality through: 1) supporting Ypsilanti-area residents to start and grow their own home vegetable gardens, 2) leading our Farm Share program with local residents, which includes organizing workshops on cooking, nutrition, food justice issues and gardening, and 3) supporting garden development and maintenance on the Growing Hope Urban Farm.


This a seasonal part time position that will begin mid-March and go through September with the possibility of expansion based on performance and funding. The Garden Program Assistant will report to our Director of Programs, and work closely with our Farmers Market and Youth Programs Managers and Urban Farm Assistant.



Responsibilities Include:

  • Gardening: Assistant with maintaining our demonstration and education-focused gardens.

  • Organizing: Organize, promote and lead orientations for gardeners and garden mentors for the Home Vegetable Garden Program.

  • Education: Provide education/work with outside facilitators for lessons on cooking, nutrition, gardening, and food justice.

  • Maintenance: Support maintenance of overall site (including lawn care, care for decorative gardens, rain garden, hoop houses, etc.) to be a beautiful, organized and welcoming space for all visitors.

  • Garden Construction and  Installation: Facilitate the installation of garden beds, including ordering supplies, building wood beds, shoveling compost and planting.

  • Harvest & Post Harvest Handling: Lead weekly harvests and supervise and involve our teen leadership program in harvesting.

  • Food Safety: Support and promote food safety throughout the farm and harvest process.

  • Interns: Work with Program Director to manage and teach interns.

  • General Support: Support staff in preparing site for special events, tours, etc.


Qualifications

  • Passion for and experience with growing food and flowers using organic practices.  

  • Experience and comfort with cooking, with either experience or excitement to learn about use of whole and seasonal items.

  • Creativity, flexibility, resourcefulness and positive thinking.

  • Able to work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds in terms of race, ethnicity, gender (including nonbinary), sexual orientation, class, and religion.

  • Flexibility to work nontraditional hours in nontraditional settings, including evening and weekends as scheduled.

  • Ability to work independently and with a team.

  • Able to lift 40 lbs.

  • Work in various weather conditions such as heat, humidity, wind, rain, etc.

  • Reliable transportation (this includes bus, personal vehicle etc.)

  • Valid Michigan Driver's License, with a good record.


Qualities that will enhance your application:   

  • Experience working with, or interest working with, adults and teenagers in informal educational settings.

  • Interest to grow professionally within the organization.

  • Belief in asset-based, social justice approach.

  • Knowledge of the food system, farm & food policy and the local food justice movement.

  • Understanding of and experience talking about racism and social justice work.

  • Reside in Ypsilanti, or surrounding areas.

  • Experience driving a trailer, or willingness to learn quickly.


Hours & Compensation: This is an hourly position, $16.00 per hour, approximately 15 hours a week, with potential to increase to 25 hours a week pending funding. In addition to monetary compensation, staff are welcome to take home extra produce and flowers from the Growing Hope Urban Farm.  


To Apply: Submit resume or description of relevant experience and letter detailing your interest in the position, with ideally 3 references (professional or personal) to Apply@growinghope.net.  Applications accepted until Friday, March 1st at 5:00 pm. No formal education is required for this position.


Growing Hope encourages people of color and individuals who possess an in-depth understanding of poverty or economic hardship to apply. We welcome a diverse pool of applicants and make employment decisions on the basis of merit. We do not discriminate potential employees based on race, creed, age, physical ability,  national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or marital status. Accommodations will be made so that the application process and position is made accessible for qualified applicants.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Erica Bloom
Assistant Director   
Growing Hope 
922 W. Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 786-8401



Please note the Growing Hope Center is a scent free space, please refrain from wearing any perfume or cologne to our space. 

Attachments area



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Erica Bloom
Assistant Director   
Growing Hope 
922 W. Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
(734) 786-8401



Please note the Growing Hope Center is a scent free space, please refrain from wearing any perfume or cologne to our space. 
MIFARMTOSCHOOL is a listserv that links farm-to-school stakeholders and practitioners in Michigan, from school food service directors and school administrators to growers and distributors. Content posted to MIFARMTOSCHOOL does not necessarily reflect the views of Michigan State University or the Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems.

Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Reminder: Southeast Michigan School Garden Mini-grant accepting applications

Good afternoon,

 

Just a reminder that applications are being accepted for this grant program through February 25th! See below for details, and a new flyer attached for sharing purposes.

--
The Southeast Michigan School Garden Mini-grant program is now accepting applications for the 2019 grant year. With funding from the 
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Michigan State University Extension will award approximately 20 grants for schools or early care and education sites that are planning or implementing school garden programming. Grant awards will range from $500 - $1,500. In addition to funding, grantees will receive technical assistance, training and connection to a network of peers. The grant year is from April 8th, 2019 – April 7th, 2020.

 

The Southeast Michigan School Garden Mini-grant program offers planning and implementation grants to schools or early care and education sites located in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. The application must be submitted by an employee of the school or ECE site affiliated with the garden.

 

Note: For schools located in Detroit, we are partnering with local organizations which currently provide support to school gardens, including the Detroit Public School Community District's Office of Nutrition and Keep Growing Detroit to avoid duplicative efforts and maximize resources available to schools. We encourage schools to connect with these organizations (links below) and consider the resources offered before applying for this grant. We hope this grant will offer opportunities to complement these resources and contribute to sustainability of the network of resources available in the City.

 

Planning grants help schools and early care and education sites that are in the beginning phases of creating a school garden. Planning grantees will create a school garden action plan and form a school garden team by the end of the grant period.

 

Implementation grants help schools and early care and education sites that are ready to establish a school garden or will expand their school garden program. Expansion can include expanding the physical garden, curriculum implemented, students reached or other program additions. Having a school garden team is a prerequisite to apply for an implementation grant. Implementation grantees will create a school garden sustainability plan to maintain the garden and activities beyond the grant period.  

 

Please visit the Southeast Michigan School Garden Mini-grant page for more details regarding the grant program, eligibility, and requirements.

https://www.canr.msu.edu/community_food_systems/school-gardens/school-garden-mini-grants

 

Applications are due on Monday, February 25th at 5pm.

 

 

-- 

Kaitlin Koch Wojciak

Michigan State University Extension Educator

Community Food Systems

21885 Dunham, Suite 12

Clinton Township, MI 48036

Work: 586-469-6088

Cell: 313-695-7746

 

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer.  Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.

 

 

Friday, February 8, 2019

February 2019 Michigan School Garden newsletter

MICHIGAN SCHOOL GARDEN NEWSLETTER

February 2019

 

Articles

Southeast Michigan School Garden Mini-grant

By Kaitlin Wojciak

 

We are pleased to announce a new garden grant opportunity for school and early care and education sites:

Southeast Michigan School Garden Mini-grant is now accepting applications!

 

The Southeast Michigan School Garden Mini-grant program is now accepting applications for the 2019 grant year. With funding from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, Michigan State University Extension will award approximately 20 grants for schools or early care and education sites that are planning or implementing school garden programming. Grant awards will range from $500 - $1,500. In addition to funding, grantees will receive technical assistance, training and connection to a network of peers. The grant year is from April 8th, 2019 – April 7th, 2020.

 

The Southeast Michigan School Garden Mini-grant program offers planning and implementation grants to schools or early care and education (ECE) sites located in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties. The application must be submitted by an employee of the school or ECE site affiliated with the garden.

 

Note: For schools located in Detroit, we are partnering with local organizations which currently provide support to school gardens, including the Detroit Public School Community District's Office of Nutrition, and Keep Growing Detroit to avoid duplicative efforts and maximize resources available to schools. We encourage schools to connect with these organizations (links below) and consider the resources offered before applying for this grant. We hope this grant will offer opportunities to complement these resources and contribute to sustainability of the network of resources available in the City.

 

    Detroit Public School Community District's Office of Nutrition

    Keep Growing Detroit

 

Planning grants help schools and early care and education sites that are in the beginning phases of creating a school garden. Planning grantees will create a school garden action plan and form a school garden team by the end of the grant period.

 

Implementation grants help schools and ECE sites that are ready to establish a school garden or will expand their school garden program. Expansion can include expanding the physical garden, curriculum implemented, students reached or other program additions. Having a school garden team is a prerequisite to apply for an implementation grant. Implementation grantees will create a school garden sustainability plan to maintain the garden and activities beyond the grant period.

 

Please visit the Southeast Michigan School Garden Mini-grant page for more details regarding the grant program, eligibility, and requirements at:

 

https://www.canr.msu.edu/community_food_systems/school-gardens/school-garden-mini-grants

 

Applications are due on Monday, February 25th at 5pm.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

School gardens leaders require resources

School gardens leaders require resources to get started and to enhance a school garden.

by Beth Clawson, Michigan State University Extension

Whether your school is just getting started planning your school garden or have had a school garden many years there is always a need for resources. Taking the time to navigate your way about the internet or send for seed catalogs can be frustrating and time consuming. In a previous article, "School garden programs and starting a school garden takes planning," five steps for a successful school garden program are outlined. Having a school garden is one step to becoming a designated Michigan's Green School.

Step one was to form a committee. Committees are your number one resource. The collective knowledge and people power can really make the task of gathering additional resources that much easier through the division of tasks.  Below is a topic list of the kinds of resources that might be important to your school garden plan. Your first place for general gardening information would be your county Michigan State University Extension office, the MSU Extension website and the MSU Extension Gardening in Michigan website.

One of the best ways to get started is to look at what other schools have done.  Talk to the garden leaders at schools near you that have gardens or join an organization with the same or similar goals. This website is an organization with a single goal: Edible School yards.  A good general getting started guide is available from UC Davis Extension called Children's Gardens: A Resource Guide for Teachers, Parents and Volunteers. A more modern guide is the School Resource Guidebook at the Garden Project of Southwest Colorado.

  • Grants and funding: where to get funding and applying for it is another area that requires time.  Most of these sources are not overly heavy on requirements but they all require applying or writing up a request.  A couple of generic clearing houses that list multiple grant offerings for school garden related projects that may prove useful are Garden ABCs and K-12 School Grants.
  • State standards and curriculum: all gardens offer outdoor classroom opportunities – Education Outside offers more information.

 

Gardens don't have to be expensive. With some ingenuity, imagination, a bit of elbow grease and determination, you can have very productive and rewarding gardening experiences. For more gardening information visit the Gardening in Michigan website at Michigan State University Extension.

                        ____________________________________________________________

 

School Garden Grant Information

Southeast Michigan School Garden Mini-Grant

 

 

  • American Honda Foundation - Due dates three times per year
    • Schools, nonprofits classified as 501(c) (3) s and private or public schools (elementary and secondary) are eligible.
    • Award range: $20,000 - $75,000 for one year
  • Captain Planet Foundation
    • Schools, nonprofits and other organizations classified as 501(c) (3) are eligible
    • Projects must: be project-based; performed by youth; have real environmental outcomes; be based in the United States.
    • Award range is between $500 - $2500. At least 50% matching or in-kind funding for projects is preferred.
  • Cartons 2 Gardens ContestRegistration open, final submissions due March 29th, 2019
    • K-12 public and private schools are eligible to participate
    • Participants start by collecting at least 100 empty cartons from home, community or cafeteria. Projects will construct purposeful garden items and structures using the cartons.
    • 15 projects will receive award packages for their entries, including one grand prize valued at $5,000
    • Register and learn more at this link
  • Gro More Grassroots GrantsDue on February 15th, 2019 at 11:59 PST
    • Nonprofit and tax exempt organizations (including schools) are eligible
    • Awards provide funding for the development of new and expansion of existing youth garden programs and greenspaces.
    • Grant recipients will either receive $500 or $1000 to support their initiatives
    • Learn more and apply here.
  • The Home Depot FoundationCommunity Impact Grants currently open
    • Schools and 501(c) (3) organizations are eligible.
    • Awards are up to $5,000
    • The Home Depot also has opportunities to match donations from local stores with nonprofits. Follow this link for more information on how to request a match. 
  • Katie's Krops Grower Grant ­– applications due by December 31st
    • Youth ages 9-16 are eligible to apply
    • Winners will receive a gift card to start a garden, technical assistance, garden supplies, and more
    • Winners are also eligible to win scholarships for higher education
    • All produce grown must be donated to community members in need
    • Learn more and apply here
  • Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation
    • Public schools are eligible
    • Awards from $5,000 - $25,000
    • Visit this link to answer preliminary questions and learn more.
  • Salad Bars to School Grant
    • Any district or independent school participating in the National School Lunch Program is eligible to apply. To qualify for a Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools grant, applicants must offer the salad bar as part of the reimbursable meal served in your district.
    • Schools use the award (approximately $3,147 value) to implement salad bars as part of their daily meal program
    • For more information and to apply, follow this link.
    • The top five program awards will be a grant package worth $2,100. An additional 20 grant packages worth $500 will be awarded.
    • Learn more and apply here
  • Youth Micro-grants through Karma for Cara FoundationRolling deadline
    • Youth under age 18 who are working on a community service project (including school and community gardens).
    • Awards are between $250 - $1,000.

School Garden Educational Opportunities

  1. Starting and Sustaining a School Garden at Tollgate in Novi, MI

MSU Extension's Annual School Garden Conference May 10, 2019

Online registration is available at:

https://events.anr.msu.edu/SchoolGarden2019/

          Keynote Speaker:  Hanifa Adjuman, Education and Outreach Director, Detroit Black Community Food Security Network

 

  1. MOFFA (Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance) Educational Opportunities
  • North American Association of Environmental Educators Professional Development

            https://sites.google.com/site/nationalschoolgardennetwork/networking

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 



Kristine Hahn

Michigan State University Extension Educator

Community Food Systems

Oakland County Office

1200 Telegraph Rd. #26E

Pontiac, MI 48341

248-802-4590


*Please note my new office location


MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.  Michigan State University programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.


"Always be humble and kind." - Tim McGraw

 

Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Cooking class for Flint kids, successful farm to school policies, school garden grants, & more!

February 2019
Happy February! We hope this finds you warming up after a very chilly week, planning spring gardens, visits to your local farm or having a farmer visit your classrooms, and thinking of ways to incorporate more local products into your everyday menus and/or experiential learning. 

The Michigan Farm to School newsletter took a brief break in January to reorganize and reformat, which we hope you enjoy and find helpful with its new look.

As always, thank you for all you do for Michigan’s children.

- The CRFS Farm to School team
News
Flint kids learn to cook healthy foods with a chef
Children at the Center of Flint's Increase in Access to Nutrition
Programs like the Nutrition Prescription Program, offering $15 vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables to spend at the year-round Flint Farmers Market, and a cooking class for children, are helping to establish positive dietary habits while improving access to healthy foods that kids want to eat.

Michigan Schools Receive Grant to Help Support Farm to School Efforts
Support for farm to school efforts in Westwood Elementary in Traverse City and Glen Lake Community Schools were bolstered with the receipt of Fuel Up to Play 60 grants recently. Westwood Elementary will host visits from local farmers as part of their grant funds, while Glen Lake will visit local farms and develop posters to highlight the farm to school partners within their community.

2019 NFSN National Partner of the Year
The National Farm to School Network has chosen the Intertribal Agriculture Council as their National Partner of the Year for 2019. Through this partnership, the two agencies intend to engage in intentional program and policy collaboration to connect members and increase farm to school opportunities in Native communities.

Events
Trending Topics: Farm to Early Care and Education in Family Child Care
February 7
1-2 PM EST

This webinar, hosted by the National Farm to School Network, will share new resources to support farm to ECE in family child care, best practices from county level farm to ECE initiatives, and examples of farm to ECE in family child care success.

Green Apple Day of Service
Register by March 15 for mini-grant eligibility

In an effort to bring schools around the world together to celebrate their role in preparing the next generation of leaders in sustainability, schools can participate in the Green Apple Day of Service. Your school can select the date for the project, with access to mini-grants and resources to see the project come to life.

White Privilege Conference
March 20-23
Cedar Rapids, IA

The White Privilege Conference is scheduled to take place for its 20th year in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Enabling participants the opportunity to examine concepts of both privilege and oppression, the conference also includes solution and team building strategies as part of the experience.


Resources
New National Farm to School Network Policy Resources
Supporting Farm to School with Community Benefit Dollars explores opportunities for partnerships between farm to school practitioners and non-profit hospitals. It also looks at resources for hospitals to support farm to school to help foster public health.


City and School District Farm to School Policy Opportunities explores local school wellness and city purchasing policies shown to be successful in supporting farm to school activities. 

Opportunities
Children transplanting in a raised garden bed
2019 Gro More Grassroots Grant
Deadline: February 15, 2019

For programs looking to install or expand gardens or green spaces for youth, the Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and KidsGardening will award 175 grants totaling $100,000. This particular grant is open to all nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, with the top 25 programs eligible to receive $1,000 checks.

Children build a raised bed from recycled milk cartons
Carton 2 Garden Contest
Deadline: March 25, 2019

Collect 100 or more empty milk and juice cartons from you home, cafeteria, and community and re-purpose them as part of the national Carton 2 Garden Contest sponsored by Evergreen Packaging.
Innovative garden ideas using re-purposed cartons can be submitted online!

Jobs
FoodCorps Service members sit together at a table to brainstorm ideas
FoodCorps Service Members (Nationwide)
Deadline: March 15, 2019

FoodCorps believes that every child - no matter their race, place, or class - has a right to healthy food at school. Applications are now open for the next class of leaders - people who want to serve up change in your community. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Positions are open in 17 states and the D.C. Metro Area.

About Michigan Farm to School

Farm to School centers around efforts to serve local foods in school and early care and education settings. We share ideas, tools and resources to support a range of efforts, from school garden programming to farmer visits and field trips.