AgCorps AmeriCorps Member – Butte AG Literacy Specialist
AgCorps Mission: To serve Montana communities by providing Ag literacy and environmental stewardship education to create resilient, healthy, and engaged communities under the Big Sky.
| Location | 3040 Continental Dr. Butte, Montana 59701 |
| Supervisor information | Molly Kirkham, NCAT Harvest of the Month Phone: 406-494-6872 Email: mollyk@ncat.org |
| Term of Service | This is a full-time 1700hr position. Term dates are January- November 2024. Members are expected to serve 40 hours/week. Typical working times are Monday-Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM |
About AmeriCorps:
AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities. The AmeriCorps mission is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.
Purpose:
AgCorps is a state AmeriCorps program administered by the Montana Department of Agriculture. AgCorps aims to improve the capacity of partner organizations to meet their mission, grow collaborations, provide effective programming, and create resilient, healthy, safe, and engaged communities in Montana. This program is also designed to serve rural and underfunded school districts in Montana that require more accessibility to Ag literacy materials. The AgCorps program strives to deliver the best possible resources and values integrity, leadership, and trust in its members and host sites.
Location:
Butte is the fifth largest city in Montana and sits in between a few of the state’s largest cities: Missoula, Bozeman, and Helena. The city has great opportunities to learn about its history, as well as many restaurants, shops, sporting events, concerts, and community gatherings. Butte is also surrounded by access to recreation such as skiing, hiking, fishing, floating, biking, and climbing.
Service Position Summary:
The Montana Harvest of the Month (HOM) program showcases Montana-grown and raised food in Montana schools, institutions, organizations, and businesses. Each month, participating sites focus on promoting one locally grown item by displaying HOM posters and materials, serving it in snacks or meals, offering it for purchase, or doing educational lessons and activities. The two primary goals of this program are to promote local, healthy foods to Montanans and to support Montana farmers, ranchers, and food businesses.
NCAT’s Small-Scale Intensive Farm Training program (SIFT) operates a high-altitude urban demonstration farm in Butte, Montana, that is focused on production of food for the good of the community. The farm operates a food donation program to the Butte Food Bank and a waste food collection service for composting purposes on the SIFT site. In addition, the SIFT hosts educational programs, and organizations as part of their summer camp program.
The AmeriCorps member will implement HOM and SIFT activities throughout Butte. With the below service activities, the member will serve the Butte community by increasing knowledge, consumption, and access to Montana grown and raised foods. The member will have the opportunity to deliver hands on education in agriculture and food production, through planned field trips to the SIFT farm and other local producers, to learn skills related to sustainable food production techniques, the Butte growing season, crops suitable for the climate, healthy soils, soil nutrition and much more.
Essential Functions and responsibilities:
- Partner with current HOM sites to assist with their HOM activities
- Make new connections with organizations, schools, early care/education providers, etc.
- Plan and conduct taste tests, educational activities, and cooking and gardening lessons
- Assist with producer visits and field trips to SIFT
- Assist sites with funding for HOM activities
- Increase outreach and education with local organizations, schools, and non-profits
- Attend Community events to increase awareness of HOM
- Deliver hands on and education focused on food production, the climate, healthy soils, and soil nutrition
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:
- Valid driver’s license
- Comfortable leading educational activities, cooking and gardening lessons, and making connections with community members of all ages
- Interest in agriculture, food systems, and agricultural education
- Willing to work in an outdoor environment in all weather conditions.
- Knowledge of local food system issues
- Ability to lift 50 lbs. and be willing to learn how to use semi-large machinery
Service Conditions:
This position will be in the field and on the road about 70% of the time (20% HOM and 50% SIFT). The remaining 30% will be conducted in a typical office environment updating social media content on SIFT initiatives for building sustainable food communities and HOM content creation. Transportation or mileage reimbursement for program activities will be provided.
Orientation and Training (Mandatory):
- Orientation is a three–day long event. We will cover multiple topics including expectations, prohibited activities, program benefits, timesheets, and reporting
- Montana Symposium is held in March every year. This is an opportunity to meet other AmeriCorps members in the state and to develop your understanding of AmeriCorps
- Mid–Term Training will be a two to three–day long training held in June. This will be a time to reflect on your service and connect with other members
- End of Service is an event focused on concluding your service. There will be a civic reflection and resources to prepare you for life after AmeriCorps
Evaluation and Reportion:
- Members will be required to complete a monthly report focused on capacity building and environmental knowledge data from program participants and community members
- There will be a mid-service evaluation and an end of service evaluation
- Supervisors are encouraged to meet with their member on a weekly basis at minimum
AmeriCorps Program Benefits:
- Members receive a living allowance of $21,000 to cover basic expenses while serving
- Upon successful completion of service, members receive a $7,895 education award
- While serving, members may qualify for student loan forbearance
- Healthcare/childcare services are available while serving
- A $200/month housing stipend if eligible
- Other benefits include being part of an incredible community, being surrounded by professionals in multiple fields, and job shadowing opportunities
- AmeriCorps alumni benefits include access to nationwide alumni network, many career resources, access to AmeriCorps alumni emails and updates
AmeriCorps Service minimum Requirements:
- Must be 18+ at the beginning of service (17+ requires parental consent)
- High school graduate, GED recipient, working towards obtaining a high school diploma/GED
- Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States
- Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria
Amanda Coyle: AgCorps Program Coordinator
(406) 444-7819
Amanda.Coyle@mt.gov
*All positions are contingent upon a successful background check
*All positions are contingent upon continued CNCS grant funding
The Montana AgCorps Program, under the Montana Department of Agriculture, does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other discrimination not based on merit or qualifications.
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