Farm to School Americorps

Reports to: Program Manager
position Type: AmeriCorps Service Member
Service Term: March 3, 2026 to August 31, 2026

Organization Overview:
New Roots Community Farm (NRCF) is an 82-acre diversified agricultural resource center located just outside the Town of Fayetteville, West Virginia, established in 2019. Specializing in intensive, year-round production of specialty crops, NRCF works in partnership with federal, state, and local agencies, community organizations, and schools to cultivate an ag-entrepreneurial ecosystem that strengthens Central Appalachia’s economy and builds a vibrant, resilient local food system in the New River Gorge region. Through its 6-acre demonstration and production farm, market development, and food access programming, NRCF connects local farmers, institutions, and families to ensure fresh, healthy, locally grown food reaches the people who need it most.

Position Overview:
New Roots Community Farm will host an AmeriCorps Service Member for up to two years beginning in March 2026, sponsored by High Rocks, a West Virginia–based nonprofit
dedicated to educating, empowering, and inspiring young people. Based at NRCF’s working farm, the AmeriCorps Member will help grow and distribute fresh, healthy food while increasing access for families, students, and neighbors across Fayette County. The Member will play a key role in supporting farm operations, farm-to-school
programming such as school field trips, pop-up farmers markets, school gardening, youth programming, and community events—building meaningful connections between food, health, and place. Their work will focus on ensuring that students and families across Fayette County—especially Fayette County public school students—have greater access to fresh, locally grown food and meaningful opportunities to learn about where their food comes from. This is an ideal opportunity for someone passionate about local food systems, education, environmental stewardship, and community development.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assist the Farm Production Team with daily farm tasks, including seeding, transplanting, cultivation, weeding, plant care, harvesting, washing, post-harvest
  handling, materials handling, floral harvesting, floral arranging, order packing, delivery, and equipment usage to support NRCF on-farm market and Farm to School
  Feeding Programs, FARMacy, and other healthy food access initiatives. Host farm program volunteer participants and record volunteer hours for reporting.
• Support the setup, and execution of farm to school programming including (but not limited to) pop-up farmers markets and school gardens at Fayette County Board of
  Education (FCBOE) school campuses.
• Implement on-farm educational activities for PK-12 students as they relate to NRCF’s farm-to-school initiatives, including (but not limited to) field trips, 4-H club, and high school internship.
• Aid in the preparation, execution, and promotion of community events and programs, including volunteer days, annual field days, FARMacy, and other new or emergent
  community-centered events and initiatives.
• Assist with distribution of promotional materials that support farm-to-school and community programming as well as market and food assistance programs.

Desired Skills:

• An ability to engage effectively with community members, volunteers, and various partners and stakeholders.
• experience or a willingness to work with children and youth in an educational setting.
• A strong team player with experience working closely with various team members, volunteers, and stakeholders.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to perform physical labor in various weather conditions, including lifting, bending, and standing for extended periods.
• Flexible in spirit and able to handle a variety of tasks.
• Basic organizational skills to assist with managing materials and tracking results.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel statewide for various training and for service at some sites.
• Practical experience with farming, including seeding, transplanting, cultivation, weeding, plant care, and harvesting.

Time Commitment:
Flexible full-time

Program Benefits

• Living stipend: $825.00 (pre-tax) twice monthly
• Free NRCF produce and a store discount at our on-farm market.
• $200 workwear stipend
• A Segal Education Award of $3,697.50 at successful completion of service (900 hours) between March 2025 and August 31, 2025). This award can be used to pay down existing student debt, or for future educational expenses. AmeriCorps Members will have 7 years to use this award.
• Any AmeriCorps member completing this half year of service may be eligible for 1 semester of tuition waiver at participating West Virginia colleges, universities and trade schools.
• Health care can be provided if the member does not qualify for Medicaid.
• Child Care Assistance is also available if needed.
• Travel assistance to trainings and service sites.
• Student loan forbearance and interest payments (for qualified loans, if applicable and requested).