Frostburg Grows seeks a VISTA member! Applications must be received by July 24, 2016
Frostburg Grows, a project of Western Maryland Resource Conservation and Development Council, with assistance from University of Maryland Extension and Frostburg State University (FSU), started in 2012 with funding from EPA, American Rivers, Appalachian Regional Commission and others. We have built 6 large high tunnel greenhouses, a native tree nursery, a composting facility, and solar energy and rain water collection systems on a former coal mine. We do local food system development and food security work including food production and grower training in the high tunnels, which are important in Western Maryland for extending the fruit and vegetable growing season. We run hands-on workshops teaching how to build and operate high tunnels, growing and marketing food. Our composting operation, with the City of Frostburg and the Allegany County Solid Waste Management Board, saves the City money, keeps organic matter out of the landfill, and provides a valuable soil amendment for our food production. Because of the degraded mine site, we do not use the soil on site and instead grow in raised beds using imported soil and our own compost. Our collaboration with FSU includes service learning with the local AmeriCorps group, ASTAR! in Western Maryland. We provide food to the Frostburg Food Pantry, the Summer Lunch Box Program and the Western MD Food Bank and actively help address food deserts and hunger in our area. We are partners in the Western MD Food Council and allied projects. We see Frostburg Grows as a successful and inspiring model for what can be done on former coal mine land in Appalachia, and how integrated sustainable development focused on food can create jobs, improve human health, improve environmental quality and build community. Member Duties: The VISTA member will assist with two major efforts: 1) To help with strategic planning, organizational development, refining our business model, contacts management, communications, volunteer coordination and securing funding to institutionalize and help make Frostburg Grows a permanent and financially self-sustaining operation and organization. And 2) to help with efforts to publish and create written, web and video products, as well as workshops, tours, webinars and site visits, able to share and teach the Frostburg Grows story, innovations, design and practices with others interested in similar sustainable economic and food system development in Appalachia, coal communities, and related areas. The position is in Frostburg, Maryland. The service year begins Aug. 22, 2016. To apply online, go to: https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=68402&fromSearch=true <https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/viewListing.do?id=68402&fromSearch=true> After applying online, please send an email, cover letter and your résumé/CV to both Corey Armstrong and Dan Fiscus at their email addresses below. Applications must be received by July 24, 2016 For more information and to send your application materials contact: Corey Armstrong: 301-687-3136 [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Dan Fiscus: 301-687-3136 [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> Visit www.frostburggrows.com<http://www.frostburggrows.com> And on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FrostburgGrows/ More info on this position: <https://www.facebook.com/FrostburgGrows/> VISTA Program Benefits: Living Allowance, Training , Stipend , Choice of Education Award or End of Service Stipend , Education award upon successful completion of service , Health Coverage*, Relocation Allowance. *For details about AmeriCorps VISTA healthcare benefits, please visit http://www.vistacampus.gov/healthcare Terms: Permits attendance at school during off hours; car recommended; permits working at another job during off hours . Service Areas: Community and Economic Development; Environment . Skills that are helpful: Recruitment, Communications, Local Food System, Public Speaking, Public Health, Non-Profit Management, Business/Entrepreneur, Teaching/Tutoring, Veterans, Fund raising/Grant Writing, Leadership, Community Organization, Education, Team Work, Environment, Writing/Editing.
