Timeline
Start Date: March 11, 2013      OR            Start Date: May 27, 2013
End Date: March 10, 2014                        End Date: May 23, 2014
Organizational Description
In 2007, the founders of Jones Valley Teaching Farm transformed three and a half acres of vacant downtown Birmingham property into an urban farm, driven by the singular vision of making our community a healthier place.
In late 2011, Jones Valley Teaching Farm reexamined our opportunities in order to identify ways to increase our long-term impact on young students. Through this process, we decided to both renew and re-define our focus on K-8 education, especially in Birmingham City Schools--an urban public school system.  Jones Valley is now intensely focused on empowering future generations with an education to eat smarter, think healthier—and live better as we develop and deliver innovative and relevant educational programs and services to school communities. As we launch this renewed educational focus, we begin with a measurable goal: to educate 10,000 students annually through our food, science and nutrition education curriculum and programs.  
Job Description
Individuals who work with Jones Valley Teaching Farm spend a year of service after graduation at a unique organization fighting some of the systemic issues connected to poverty: food and health disparities, and educational achievement in urban public schools. Jones Valley is seeking highly motivated, talented graduates to implement science and nutrition programs to K-8 students through our on-site educational programs, participate in the farming process on its 3.5 acre urban farm practicing sustainable, organic farming, and recruit local college and university student volunteers to help expand Jones Valley’s presence and impact in Birmingham.
●     Seed to Plate--Jones Valley’s K-8 field science and nutrition program--is the cornerstone of our education. The farm transforms into a learning laboratory where students explore, investigate and inquire about where food comes from and why it matters to their long-term health and well-being. Our lessons are designed using both Alabama course of study standards and and new national standards.
●     The urban farm is the center of Jones Valley’s on-site education programs; therefore, the quality of the farm’s development is directly correlated to the quality of our education programs. As a Teaching Farm Fellow, participating in the farming process allows you the opportunity to not only teach science and nutrition lessons, but live the lessons through service on the urban farm. Fellows will gain invaluable skills and knowledge in sustainable farming and agriculture working directly on the farm, helping to prepare soil, weed and harvest produce -- while also learning important farming, ecological and environmental principles.
●     Teaching Farm Fellows will recruit local college and university students to volunteer with and support Jones Valley. Fellows will also be placed in a leadership role as they will be responsible at times for supervising and guiding the volunteers. Volunteer activities include: assist in on-site education, assist in farm work, and outreach/promotion/development of creative campaigns at designated college/university campuses.

Skills Required
Successful candidates will exhibit
○     A commitment to improving the lives of Alabama families through health and education initiatives
○     A record of community service and/or civic engagement
○     Demonstrated student leadership
○     Ability to work and communicate well with a diverse group of individuals, including university/college   students, children and community-based partners
○     The ability to multi-task and exhibit flexibility in a fast-paced environment
○     Ability to work outdoors in all weather
○     Ability to  do physically demanding work
○     Comfortable speaking in front of small to medium sized audiences
○     A positive attitude
The Teaching Farm Fellow program is a collaboration between Jones Valley Teaching Farm and the AmeriCorps VISTA program through the Corporation for National and Community Service.

To apply please send current resume and unofficial transcripts to [email protected]