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Friday, March 26, 2021

FoodCorps Service Positions in Petoskey, MI


Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities is looking for our next round of FoodCorps service members (and so is Detroit, Flint and Muskegon!) to connect kids to healthy food in school, make real food a part of the curriculum, and create a future in which every school is a healthy school, and every child is well-nourished and ready to learn. 


Are you or someone you know planning to apply? Submit your application by April 1 to guarantee your application will be reviewed before any slots are filled. If you submit your application before April 15, your application will be received before the second round of interviews, giving you another chance to be considered. 


Share share share!
If you're not applying but know someone who might be interested, forward them this email or the link to apply! 


If you can share amongst your networks, thank you in advance! Please see the attachment, or use the information below to copy/paste into newsletters or other outreach materials.


Applications are now being accepted for those interested in joining our 2021-2022 FoodCorps AmeriCorps cohort. In Michigan, we are accepting applications to serve an 11.5-month term with our site partners in Detroit, Flint, Muskegon, and the Petoskey region. FoodCorps Michigan has connected over 50,000 children to healthy food in schools across the state since 2010. We complement school district wellness objectives by placing FoodCorps' trained AmeriCorps members in kindergarten through 8th-grade classes, as well as school district offices. 

Our program attracts people of all ages and backgrounds with interests in elementary education, dietetics, nutrition education, culinary arts management, public health, public policy, sustainable environmental programs, gardening education, and social justice programs. You can earn $22,000 plus receive health insurance benefits and a $6,345 award for educational expenses, including repayment of loans for those who complete their term of service. We review applications on a rolling basis. Please apply before April 1 to guarantee your application will be reviewed before any slots are filled. Service terms begin in August 2021. Questions??? Contact FoodCorps MI Program Coordinator Quan Blunt at quan.blunt@foodcorps.org.


Feel free to share Groundwork's Facebook post about it as well.

For questions specific to Groundwork Center as a host site for FoodCorps, please contact jen@groundworkcenter.org.


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* From Friday March 26 through Monday April 5 I'll be working limited hours. I may take longer than usual to respond. Thank you for your patience and feel free to call me if you need a more immediate response.
JEN SCHAAP  |  Local Food Policy Specialist
Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities

P    231-941-6584 x708
A  313 Howard St, Unit B  |  Petoskey, MI 49770

pronouns: she/her/hers

The Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities is a Traverse City based non-profit. Our work is member-funded and community-driven. Protect what you love. Become a member of Groundwork today.
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, March 23, 2021

Job Posting: Growing Hope Youth Programs Coordinator

Growing Hope is Hiring a Youth Programs Coordinator

Growing Hope is seeking a passionate educator to join our Youth Programs team as the Youth Programs Coordinator. This position implements and coordinates garden-based youth programs (K-12) on the Growing Hope Urban Farm and in the Ypsilanti community. The Youth Programs Coordinator will promote, schedule, and help run field trips on our Urban Farm and at our Farmers Markets; lead garden-based nutrition classes for students K-12th grade in after school programs and at community summer camps; and assist with running our Summer Teen Leadership Program. The Youth Programs Coordinator reports to the Youth & Schools Manager.

The Youth Programs Coordinator is a full time, salaried position at $36,000 per year. The position comes with medical/dental/vision insurance plus paid time off. See full job description below.

Please apply by April 9, 2021. Submit resume, or description of relevant experience, and a letter detailing your interest and qualifications for the position. Please include 3 references (professional or personal) to Apply@growinghope.net

--
Cassandra Van Dam 
Youth & Schools Manager
(Pronouns: she/her/hers)

734.786.8401 Office
906.370.8135 Cell
922 W. Michigan Ave. 
Ypsilanti, MI 48197

Growing Hope fosters an equitable and sustainable local food system where all people are empowered to grow, sell, buy, prepare and eat nourishing food.


The Growing Hope Urban Farm is a scent free space. Please refrain from wearing any products that contain fragrance 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.

Sunday, March 21, 2021

Greetings Dear Beloved:

Dear Beloved,

Life is gradually passing away from me as a result of my present medical condition and my personal doctor confided in me yesterday that I have only a few more weeks to live. In view of this setback, I want to donate my estate for humanitarian assistance, since this has always been the plan of my late husband and besides I have no child. In an effort to compliment the good work of our creator for humanity and the wish of my late Husband I donate the sum of 10,000,000.00 Euro (Ten Million EUR) to you. Upon your acknowledgement of this mail and informing me of your nationality and current place of resident, my bank will facilitate due processes for transfer of this legacy to you. May God bless you as you use this money judiciously for the work of charity to help the less privileged.

Sincere regards,

Ms. Melvida Bullock
Email: melvidabullock@gmail.com

Friday, March 19, 2021

New Discovering Resilience workshop for farmers in April!

Hi Folks,

Are you dreaming about hosting a farm event again, now that Spring is here? As the pandemic fades, many farmers are looking forward to gathering on their farm again with customers and neighbors for food, fun, and swapping stories. I know I am!

Before sending out the invitations, it's important to think about the legal implications. 

  • What if someone is injured? 

  • How does this affect taxes and reporting? 

  • What are my responsibilities to guests with disabilities? 

  • Should I be adding this to my insurance?

Farm Commons has answers. Make sure your farm is ready for the jump start of another season by signing up for Discovering Resilience, our online workshop for farmers nationwide on Tuesday evenings in April. There's still plenty of time to fit it in around seeding and fence repair- you'll be thankful for the added peace of mind this summer when you have the legal knowledge and skills you need to resolve key legal vulnerabilities on your farm. 

Not sure if Discovering Resilience is right for you? Get a taste of what you have to gain by checking out our free tip sheet on sorting out the basics of agritourism legal risks! Also, check out our tip sheet on farm insurance, as it's the primary way to address the legal risk of liability for on-farm events.

Full details for Discovering Resilience are here- it's just $49 for the whole course. These workshops are supported by grant funding, which is what makes them so affordable. Just remember to sign up before April 1st!

Thanks and best of luck for an amazing growing season!

-Rachel

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.

10 Cents Info Session for Farmers and Local Food Vendors

Friends,
Before you head out for a beautiful weekend, please spread the word about this event coming up on Monday! For more on why this is a significant moment for farmers and other local food vendors to reach out to schools and early childhood education centers for promising new markets, you can also read a column I wrote here. And if you would like to spread the word through social media, you'll find a post to share here. Thanks! And register below!
Register now
Learn more about this expanding market opportunity with schools, early childcare centers, and residential child care institutions.
10 Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids and Farms
10 Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids and Farms is a state-funded program that matches what schools, early childcare centers, and residential child care centers spend on Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables, and legumes with grants up to 10 cents per meal. One goal of the program is to invest in Michigan agriculture and the related local food business economy. Learn more about 10 Cents, including grantees for the 2020-2021 school year, at tencentsmichigan.org.

This school year, 10 Cents grew to $2 million in state funding to provide over 130 grants across the state. That means grantees have incentive funds to purchase more locally grown fruits, vegetables, and legumes from Michigan farmers and vendors for child nutrition programs! 

This information session will include:


Recordings will be shared after the event. 

Registration is required to participate in this free virtual information session.
When
2:30 – 4:30 pm on Monday, March 22, 2021

Where
This virtual presentation will be held on Zoom. Once you register, you will get the link to join the upcoming meeting at the appointed time and date. If you haven't used Zoom before, you can download the app or the web browser client
STAY CONNECTED
About MFIN

The Michigan Farm to Institution Network (MFIN) is a space for learning, sharing and working together to get more local food to institutions. We aim to meet the Michigan Good Food Charter goal of 20% Michigan food to institutions by 2020.
About Cultivate Michigan

In 2014, MFIN launched a local food purchasing campaign designed to help farm to institution programs grow and track progress.

Friday, March 12, 2021

Growing Hope, Ypsilanti, MI, Hiring a Farm & Garden Manager

Hello!  

Growing Hope in Ypsilanti, MI is hiring a Farm & Garden Manager. A short description of the position is below. Full position details and how to apply is attached. 

Please help spread the word! 

About the Position
The Farm & Garden Manager is a full-time position. The salary ranges from $37,000-$40,000, depending on experience. The position comes with medical/dental/vision insurance, plus paid time off. This position manages, supervises, and helps implement all farm and garden programming and cultivation on the Growing Hope Urban Farm and in our gardening programs in the Ypsilanti community. The Farm & Garden Manager reports to the Assistant Director and is responsible for the direct supervision of the Home Garden Coordinator, Urban Farm Coordinator, as well as farm and garden interns and volunteers.  

Position Responsibilities  

  • Ensure the Urban Farm is a welcoming, educational, and inclusive urban garden space for Growing Hope neighbors and the broader Ypsilanti community. 

  • Oversee and maintain all areas of the Urban Farm; ensure infrastructure, vehicles, and growing supplies are maintained and updated as needed.   

  • Oversee produce, herbs, and flower production for earned revenue, specifically to Ypsi Area Online Market.    

  • Oversee Growing Hope's garden programs.

  • Oversee revenue goals, expenses, and budgeting for the farm. 

  • As needed, support other forms of farm revenue including grants, fundraising, and events. 

  • Support youth programs on the Urban Farm including teen program and youth field trips. 

  • Support garden design and signage for all areas of the farm, particularly demonstration garden beds and sharing garden. 

  • Oversee farm and garden volunteer and intern programs.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Erica Bloom  
(she/her/hers)
Assistant Director 

734.786.8401 Office
922 W. Michigan Ave. 
Ypsilanti, MI 48197

The Growing Hope Urban Farm is a scent free space. Please refrain from wearing any products that contain fragrance 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.

Monday, March 8, 2021

Farm to School Jobs in NW Lower Michigan

Look what jobs are available in NW Lower Michigan. Apply today and share widely!
  • Pellston Public Schools is hiring a chef to enhance its food service program with homemade meals, fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and new dishes. They will work under the tutelage of chef Nathan Bates, known for his inspiring meals at Boyne Falls Public Schools. "This is an exciting chance to train and retain a chef who will help the current food service team reach the district's common nutrition goals," Bates said. The deadline to apply is March 12. (See attachment.)
  • Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District posted a Nutrition Facilitator position to provide nutrition education through taste-testing and cooking demonstrations in low-income schools. Elena Mosher, TBAISD's Farm to School Coordinator, says, "The position will support our SNAP education program, which provides direct education to K-5 graders focused on growing, cooking, and eating local, healthy foods. The goal is to make fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods fun and exciting, and expose students to new foods." Posted until filled. (See attachment.)
  • FoodCorps, a national organization connecting students to healthy food, has openings through Groundwork's Petoskey office, and at other sites across the state and country. Two of the three service members in Petoskey would continue to conduct hands-on lessons and build a schoolwide culture of health in Alanson, Boyne Falls, East Jordan, and Pellston schools. FoodCorps invited Groundwork to participate in a nationwide pilot, creating the third opportunity focusing on school meal quality and ultimately what ends up on cafeteria trays. Applications are reviewed as they are submitted. Contact jen@groundworkcenter.org for more info.
An article about this is here, in the Record Eagle Ag Forum.
Please share!
 
Jen

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JEN SCHAAP  |  Local Food Policy Specialist
Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities

P    231-941-6584 x708
A  313 Howard St, Unit B  |  Petoskey, MI 49770

pronouns: she/her/hers

The Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities is a Traverse City based non-profit. Our work is member-funded and community-driven. Protect what you love. Become a member of Groundwork today.
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.