Urban Farm Fellow

Official application via BACR: https://bacr.app.box.com/s/q637y883qpim1qh6f6n74zyrkzd44vor

ABOUT CALIFORNIA CLIMATE ACTION CORPS (CCAC):

California Climate Action Corps (CCAC) is a Governorʼs initiative national service program led by California Volunteers, Office of the Governor and implemented by Bay Area Community Resources (BACR) dedicated to advancing climate actions that engage community members, cultivate change, and leave a lasting impact. CCAC is part of a larger statewide initiative to address the climate crisis by placing emerging leaders with public agencies, nonprofits, tribal communities, and educational institutions to mobilize communities through volunteer engagement, climate action, and education service projects focused on urban greening, organic waste and edible food recovery, and wildfire resiliency.

Selected Fellows will serve 1700+ hours as AmeriCorps members over approximately eleven months, supporting community volunteer engagement, climate action, or education projects in vulnerable communities across the state. CCAC meets Californians where they are and provides meaningful opportunities for everyone to take climate action. For more information, please visit: https://www.californiavolunteers.ca.gov/about-california-climate-action-corps(https://www.californiavolunteers.ca.gov/about-california-climate-action-corps)

ABOUT HOST PARTNER SITE:

California State University, Dominguez Hills provides transformational educational experiences grounded in culturally sustaining practices, innovative research, creative activity, and community engagement for undergraduate and graduate students. Strategically located, CSUDH was designed to bring educational opportunities to underserved communities in South Los Angeles. The Office of Sustainability works collaboratively with various stakeholders to promote and implement sustainability practices across campus and within our community.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Located in a disadvantaged community lacking access to fresh organic produce, California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), operates a Campus Urban Farm project aimed at addressing food security and providing urban agriculture educational opportunities. The project involves cultivating crops and maintaining chicken coops, with all harvested produce allocated to ToroCARE, the university's basic needs department. Fellow's responsibilities include hands-on crop cultivation and maintenance, support Farm operations including on-site composting systems, and participate in urban greening initiatives with the Office of Sustainability alongside student volunteers and interns.

Additionally, Fellows will assist in facilitating sustainability classes, maintaining off-grid energy generation

demonstration projects, and organizing events for students and external organizations. The project aims to build Campus Urban Farm capacity, improve campus food distribution networks, promote sustainability education and zero waste efforts, and foster relationships with community partners to increase awareness of urban agriculture and food desert issues. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Develop and expand agricultural projects, campus food networks, and campus crop and livestock (chickens and fish) cultivation and care
• Design and implement educational resources and training programs for students engaged in Farm activities, cultivating understanding of urban agriculture and nutrition in food deserts
• Coordinate internal and external educational outreach events and programming at the Farm, empowering student interns and
• Farm guides to deliver educational content effectively
• Cultivate partnerships with community stakeholders to raise awareness of urban agriculture and food desert issues, facilitating access to healthy produce options through the Campus Urban Farm Track program data and analyze results to quantify climate impact

Participation in training not to exceed 20% (340-hours) of total service hours

Fellow duties will not include any prohibited or unallowable activities per 45 CFR § 2520.65

Fellow duties will not supplant, duplicate, or displace staff as outlined in 45 CFR § 2540.100 (e)-(f)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Live in California by August 16, 2024
• Must be age 18 or older by September 16, 2024
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must be a US Citizen, US National, or lawful US resident to participate

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in Volunteer Engagement, Event Coordination, Community Outreach, Environmental Education, Field Experience, Public Speaking/Facilitation, Tree Planting/Care, and Event Planning. Other valuable contributions include:
• An interest in climate change mitigation, volunteerism, or public service
• Experience with outreach, education, training, or community behavior change
• Fundamental understanding of climate change science, environmental policies in California, and/or environmental priorities
• Excellent organizational, writing, interpersonal, and speaking skills

BENEFITS OF SERVICE:

Fellows will receive mentorship from the CSUDH Sustainability Coordinator, network with diverse environmental organizations, and develop skills in leadership, public speaking, community engagement, and urban agriculture. Gain access to a vast network of over 350 emerging climate leaders and 90+ leading organizations across California with the CCAC Fellowship Program. Other benefits include:

• Receive up to $33,000 stipend (before taxes) distributed evenly over the 11-month service term
• Earn up to $10,000 in education awards (before taxes and upon completion of 1700 hours)
• Participation in 170-340 hours of training and professional development
• Receive food assistance via CalFresh (for those eligible)
• Forbearance on existing qualifying student loans and interest payments accrued during the service term
• Minimum essential healthcare coverage
• Childcare assistance (for those eligible)

ABOUT BACR:

As the program implementation lead, Bay Area Community Resources (BACR) is responsible for the member's (Fellow's) recruitment and placement at the Host Partner Site listed above. BACR is the Implementing Agency that manages the Fellows' payroll and benefits. We cultivate an environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all employees and National Service members. We are firmly committed to maintaining an atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. Therefore, we enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, medical condition,

disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances.

Our management team is dedicated to ensuring the fulfillment of this equal opportunity policy with respect to hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, recruitment advertising, pay, and other forms of compensation, training, and general treatment during a Fellow's term of service.