Located in the San Luis Valley, a high-poverty rural area in the Rockies of southcentral Colorado, the Rio Grande Farm Park is a project of the San Luis Valley Local Foods Coalition. To read more about the unique history of the Park and its strong ties with local Guatemalan and Mexican immigrant communities, go to
https://www.riograndefarmpark.org/. The development and operation of the Park are overseen by the Park Director, in coordination with the Farm Manager and other members of the Farm Park team of staff and volunteers. There are a variety of tasks needed to assist the Park Director and Team, from administrative tasks such as helping to coordinate meetings, fundraisers and educational events, to getting hands dirty with the Park’s agricultural work and marketing of farm products.
Purpose of position:
The Rio Grande Farm Park (RGFP) Program Assistant is an immersive experience into agriculture, local food systems, and nonprofit administration. The program assistant will assist the RGFP Leadership Team in managing the Farm Park and its various programs. They will work with small farmers, family gardeners, community partners, and volunteers to ensure programmatic goals are met and Park projects are maintained. During the 2024-2025 period, this will include a particular focus on the yearly rollout of the Mercadillo en el Rio, an evening farmer’s market active throughout the Summer to early Fall season. This service member will also have the opportunity to work at the Valley Roots Food Hub, a related project of the Local Foods Coalition, depending on the MVS member’s interest and programmatic needs.
Major responsibilities:
- Work with the RGFP Operations & Development Director and SLVLFC staff to manage the Mercadillo en el Rio farmer’s market – running the market info booth, facilitating the exchange of market dollars and SNAP tokens, recruiting vendors, soliciting sponsorships, planning entertainment, and assisting in yearly evaluation and planning.
- Assist RGFP Land Manager with crop and production planning, seed purchasing, inventory management, sales, and other data collection.
- Promote restorative agricultural techniques that rebuild the soil and ecosystem of the San Luis Valley, while learning the interplay of ecology and farming.
- Help develop and deliver regenerative agricultural education curriculum for youth and community members; incorporate regenerative agriculture and soil health into education curriculum
- Develop, plan, and occasionally deliver farmer education workshops with help from experts and partners (primarily during off-season)
- Assist in managing RGFP farm interns and community volunteers, including monthly volunteer workdays.
- Assist with farm stand and Farm to Pantry projects.
- Assist with program evaluation and data collection, primarily with irrigation, land and farmer data; help develop data collection tools for farmers.
- Assist at the Valley Roots Food Hub, a local foods aggregation center, when needed.
Qualifications:
- Degree and/or experience in environmental science or education, non-profit or business development/administration, sustainable ag, biology, ecology, horticulture or other related areas are preferred.
- Data collection experience a plus.
- Interest in local foods systems and the local foods movement
- Ability to be flexible and work hard
- Strong verbal and written communications skills
- Spanish language and/or experience in Latinx cultural settings strongly preferred
- Comfortable relating to a wide and diverse range of Park users and partners
SLVLFC encourages all service members to commit a portion of their time to professional development. Leadership will invite service members to explore upcoming learning opportunities. Individuals may also seek out opportunities that interest them, especially during the off-season months.