Position Service Site: Kane Street Garden in La Crosse, WI

Service Time: September 5, 2023 – August 16, 2024 (1,700 Hour AmeriCorps Term, 50 weeks)

9/5/23 to 11/18/23 - 40 Hours per week

11/19/23 to 2/10/24 –20 hours per week

2/11/24 to 8/16/24 – 40 hours per week

Benefits: Living stipend total for whole term = $23,000 ($460 per week), Education Award = $6,895.00 upon successful completion of service, Health insurance optional (1 year/1,700 hour positions only, who are not already covered)"

OVERVIEW: The Hunger Task Force works to eliminate hunger by harvesting community resources and being the voice of the hungry. They are serving over 120 meal sites, food pantries, youth programs, and outreach sites in La Crosse, Vernon, Trempealeau, and Monroe Counties in Wisconsin, Houston and Winona Counties in Minnesota, and Allamakee County in Iowa. In 2020, over 1,500,000 pounds of TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program), 250,311 pounds of Wis. Dairy Recovery foods, 1,500,000 pounds of Farmer to Family Boxes, and 2,300,000 pounds of “recovered” food was distributed to these partner programs.

SERVICE DESCRIPTION: Hunger Task Force’s Community Garden Placement will be responsible for providing opportunities through programming for community involvement in environmentally conscious food sourcing. They will spend a majority of their time maintaining the gardens and greenhouse, cultivating interest in area community gardens, giving input on the development of new garden construction, and assisting with volunteer mobilization and recruitment.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Community Improvement

Assist with development, management, and maintenance of community gardens
Research and implement a variety of urban gardening practices to educate students and community members about sustainable and reliable food sources
Assist with design aspects of new community gardens

Programming

• Design and implement new programs for different age groups pertaining to urban renewal and community improvement projects while informing about environmentally conscious practices focusing on community gardening

• Assist with planning, scheduling, teaching and general supervision of programs and events for youth and community members

• Complete program and event evaluations

• Keep detailed records of program types and attendance numbers for grant purposes

• Use general budgetary and financial policies and procedure to assess feasibility of programs and events

Program Marketing

• Assist in designing and creating publicity for programs and events

• Assist in distribution of publicity for upcoming events, programs, and volunteer opportunities

• Assist with website and social media to promote programs and events

Volunteer Recruitment and Management

Assist with recruitment, training, and evaluation of nonpaid, non-AmeriCorps volunteers who assist with programs or who assist with garden maintenance
Assist with scheduling and supervision of volunteers
Make sure appropriate records of volunteer hours are kept

Career Exploration/Conservation Skills

Construction and maintenance of gardening trails for easy access for individuals of all abilities
Non-native plant removal and disposal as well as re-vegetation of native plants
Restoration and improvement of area ecosystems as related to assigned tasks

QUALIFICATIONS:

Able to perform duties in inclement weather
Maintains professional working relationships with peers, coworkers, vendors, and the public that are inclusive, collaborative, and respectful
Ready to take initiative in doing assigned work without prompting and seeks out other tasks that help the team accomplish their collective goals
Works hard with a positive mental attitude, in all weather and terrain conditions
Withstand the physical demands of work which involves some lifting, carrying, bending, and hiking across uneven terrain
Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
Ability to multitask and shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions
Upon hire, a criminal background check will be conducted. Service with WisCorps will be considered probationary until all results are returned and have been reviewed

WisCorps provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran per applicable federal, state, and local laws. We are committed to assuring equal employment opportunity and equal access to services, programs, and activities for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability, and need to access information in an alternative format, or need it translated into another language, please contact us at 608-782-2494, by email at staff@wiscorps.org or Wisconsin Relay 711.

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