PRESS RELEASE; Contact: Joanna Green, 607-277-0180, joannajgreen@gmail.com

Education: Groundswell Center for Local Food and Farming is now accepting applications for its 2012 Summer Practicum in Sustainable Farming And Food Justice in NY.

Farm-to-College intensive teaches sustainable agriculture, food justice

Ithaca, NY – In cooperation with the Environmental Studies Program at Tompkins Cortland Community College, Groundswell will again offer its Summer Practicum in Sustainable Farming and Food Justice from May 31st to June 26th, 2012. The Summer Practicum is designed for students from any discipline as well as non-students who are interested in learning more about sustainable agriculture, local food systems and food justice. The class will meet for four days each week to explore these issues through readings, discussion, lectures, field trips, labs, and immersion in the actual work of operating a successful and sustainable small farm.

“It’s an exciting, very dynamic way for students to engage with food and the spectrum of related issues; production, social justice, ethics, nutrition,” says Julia Lapp, one of the instructors of the team-taught course. “Students interact with leaders in the movement to make food systems more supportive of health for all people, animals and ecosystems. It’s a unique opportunity for students to investigate, reflect upon, and integrate information and experiences to become part of the momentum that keeps food system change happening.” Read more »

Chewing on Food Justice: The Farm Bill & You!

Following up on their popular summer series, Chewing on Food Justice, Pursue invites you to continue your learning with a discussion on the upcoming 2012 Farm Bill debates in New York City. If you have no idea what the Farm Bill is, fear not!

On January 30th, they’ll be taking on the Farm Bill, answering questions and generating discussion about what it is, why it matters, how it affects your life and the communities you care about, and what you can do to help influence it. You’ll also hear about the Jewish community’s collective effort to present a united front for a just Farm Bill and learn how you can add your voice to the campaign (starting now).

The event will feature American Jewish World Service’s very own Director of Advocacy, Timi Gerson. Timi is a force to be reckoned with and has a wealth of information to share about the upcoming Farm Bill. We’re thrilled that she’ll be joining us all the way from DC. So mark your calendars and be sure not to miss this wonderful opportunity to hear from one of the fiercest advocates on the hill.

Date: Monday, January 30th
Time: 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Place: Sixth Street Community Center
Address: 638 Sixth Street, between Avenues B & C
RSVP: Register here
For inspiration: Click here

A light meal (free!) will be served – Kosher & Yosher (Tav HaYosher-certified). This is event is brought to you by Pursue and co-sponsored by our friends at AJWS Global Circle, Food & Water Watch, Hazon and Jewish Farm School.

Sustainable Food Conferences on the Coasts in November

If you are out on the West Coast, there is: the Community Food Security Coalition’s 15th Annual Conference:
FOOD JUSTICE: HONORING OUR ROOTS, GROWING THE MOVEMENT
November 5-8, 2011 in Oakland, California
http://www.communityfoodconference.org 
Over the past 15 years, CFSC has worked to catalyze a broad and far-reaching food systems movement.  Each year, CFSC brings people together to learn from each other and to shape the future of our movement.

If you are on the East Coast, there is: NESAWG’s It Takes a Region – 2011: A Working Conference to Build Our Northeast Food System
November 11-12, 2011 in Albany, NY
Visit www.ittakesaregion.org for conference information. It Takes a Region… the conference for everyone doing food system change work! Together we’ll learn about and build on exciting efforts underway in our region in production, distribution logistics, research, messaging, food access and nutrition, policy advocacy and more.  Whatever your part of the Northeast food system, this conference is for you! NORTHEAST SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE WORKING GROUP

 2nd Full Time Community Farm Grower Needed, Wassaic, NY

Wassaic  Community Farm is a  fourth year food justice project looking for a second full time farmer to join our team for the 2012 season starting in February or March until November. We are located in the Harlem Valley adjacent to the last stop on the Metro-North train to NYC, a bicycle path and miles of woodland and state park. We have a 20 member vegetable CSA program on an acre and a half with room to expand. We have been running stands at four farmer’s markets locally  and in the South Bronx with our medicinal herbs.  We are looking for folks with a passion for farming, food justice issues, herbal medicine and at least one year of CSA farming experience, spanish speaker a plus. We are offering a free sunny room in our fully renovated art barn, shared kitchen and bathroom space with five food justice activists. It includes a swimming pond and a small fruit orchard. All food needs are covered by the farm food budget and the farm income after expenses will be split with the other
full time farmer as a stipend.  We are well connected and have many alliances in the  farm and food justice community in southern New York, we work with a youth program from a local community center and participate in a food justice veggie oil bus project. Check us out at wassaiccommunityfarm.com.  Please contact Ben at wassaiccommunityfarm@gmail.com or call/fax at 866-823-2584 with some information about yourself and when you would like to visit.

Title: Co-coordinator for Durham Inner-city Gardeners

Type: Schedule is 30 hours/week including Saturdays (plus possibility of additional 10 hours grantwriting).

Location: Durham, NC

Compensation: Starting salary $12/hour + health insurance, paid sick, vacation, and holidays

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: February 4, 2011

SEEDS is hiring a co-coordinator for Durham Inner-city Gardeners.Come join our multigenerational team of youth and adults working together to increase food justice in our community by:

• Growing healthy, sustainable food on a ¼ acre lot in Northeast Central Durham
• Selling their produce at the Durham Farmer’s Market every Saturday
• Learning about the importance of food and sustainability
• Cultivating self-confidence, inter-dependence, solid community, and a strong value for all life

Read more »

Title: Local Foods Coordinator, The Minnesota Project

Type: 3/4 time Contract position

Location: St. Paul, Minnesota

Compensation:  Competitive salary commensurate with experience and available funds.

Start date: February 1st or sooner.

The Minnesota Project, a nonprofit organization, champions the sustainable production and equitable distribution of energy and food in communities across Minnesota.  Our programs are focused on clean renewable energy and energy efficiency; farm practice and policy that promote profitable farms that conserve and preserve natural resources; and the production and consumption of healthy, local, whole foods. Read more »

Title: Farm Manager, Bellingham Food Bank

Type: Hourly, partial-year position. March through November.  Hours will be part-time in the early season & grow to full-time in late Spring, Summer, and Fall. Some weekend shifts may be required.

Location: Bellingham, Washington

Compensation: Salary is negotiable, though will likely be in the $13-$15 per hour range.

Application Date: January 15th, 2011

Growing Washington and the Bellingham Food Bank are recruiting a manager for the Bellingham Food Bank Farm (FBF), a three-acre working farm located north of Bellingham at the intersection of Guide Meridian and King Tut Roads.  In addition to the two cultivatable acres, the farm also includes two four-season greenhouses, a packing/tool shed, tractor, implements, basic irrigation, and all necessary equipment to operate a mixed production farm. Read more »

Job Title: Production Manager, Pie Ranch

Type: Full-Time

Location: South of Pescadero, California

Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience. Compensation includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Priority deadline is December 3, 2010.

Pie Ranch is seeking a full-time Production Manager for its 27-acre ranch, of which seven acres are in use for production and teaching. Our dynamic farm offers educational opportunities for apprentices, interns, volunteers, and students from elementary through college. Our current production focus is on an integrated mix of vegetables, fruits, some grains, flowers and animal husbandry. Read more »

The New Orleans Food & Farm Network envisions a vital community that values its agricultural and culinary heritage by celebrating regionally and sustainably produced food and ensuring its access to everyone.

Position: Executive Director

Location: New Orleans

Compensation: Salary, Benefits: Competitive salary and company-reimbursed portion of health insurance

Job Description

New Orleans Food and Farm Network, a food security nonprofit, is at the center of rebuilding food systems in New Orleans. Food & Farm Network believes everyone should have access to fresh, healthy, and sustainably produced food for the long-term health of our environment, economy and communities. To achieve our mission, we work with individuals, organizations, growers and communities supporting models of sustainable growing practices and working to ensure that all New Orleanians can access safe, nutritious and enjoyable food. Read more »

Application Deadline: October 15, 2010

THE ORGANIZATION: Just Food is a non-profit organization that works to develop a just and sustainable food system in the New York City region. Our programs help keep local farms in business and build access to fresh, affordable, healthy food for New York City communities, including low income neighborhoods. We train local residents to share their skills with their neighbors in order to develop markets, grow food, and build awareness about the connections between environmental sustainability, healthy farms and healthy communities.

BACKGROUND: Farm School NYC is a project of Just Food, created and managed in partnership with a network of urban farmers and community gardeners, and anti-hunger and food justice advocates in New York City.  The mission of Farm School NYC: The NYC School of Urban Agriculture, is to provide comprehensive professional training in urban agriculture and food production.  As a community-created and managed school, it will be a unique, locally-based agriculture training program accessible to people of all educational backgrounds and income levels.  Admission will be open to all, with a focus on New York City residents who might otherwise not have the opportunity to study in a more traditional rural environment.  Our goal is to offer a broad range of programs that will teach methods of sustainable agriculture, entrepreneurship and food systems management.  In so doing, we will share and build knowledge within our communities, improve local access to healthy food, address issues of social and racial justice, develop leadership, and contribute to our local economies.
Read more »