About the Role
(This position is currently filled but we will gladly consider your application for the next term or for another position. The earliest possible start date for the next member in this role is 5/6/24).
During your service with the Iowa Farm to School and Early Care Coalition, you will become well-versed in the national and state landscape of policies and key actors affecting local food, hunger, nutrition, and education. You will strengthen communication procedures and foster a network of partners, becoming proficient in engaging diverse stakeholders through social media, newsletters, and a variety of in-person events. You will also co-lead two Iowa Food System Coalition Priority Teams focusing on 1) Networks and Community Organizing, and 2) Local Food Procurement. This element of your service will develop your experience in planning, meeting facilitation, and collaboration. You should work well alongside diverse groups of people with accountability & compassion; be eager to establish & maintain positive working relationships; & have an equity centered mindset, excellent communication, & interpersonal & organizational skills.
Requirements
You should work alongside diverse groups of people with accountability & compassion; be eager to establish & maintain positive working relationships; & have an equity centered mindset, excellent communication, & interpersonal & organizational skills.
About the Organization
As a project of Iowa State University’s Farm, Food and Enterprise Development program, the mission of the Iowa Farm to School and Early Care Coalition is to increase access to locally-grown food and food education for children and families by building cross-sector partnerships to advance programs and policies in schools, early care settings, and the food system.
As a partner in this work, your service will support statewide network communication, partnership, and collaborative event planning. The coalition seeks increased capacity and system development around several communication platforms, including social media, monthly newsletters, and storytelling. In addition to these areas, you will play a crucial role in planning the annual Iowa Farm to School and Early Care Conference (hosted in June) and developing farm to early care and education training (mainly virtual).
As a Nourish Iowa VISTA member, you will serve among a cohort of VISTA members whose service is building a more equitable food system throughout Iowa, sponsored by the Center for Energy & Environmental Education at the University of Northern Iowa, and will have frequent opportunities to share knowledge within this community through regular cohort-wide meetings & site visits. In addition to all standard AmeriCorps VISTA benefits, you will engage regularly with thought leaders in food systems via local, statewide, and national coalitions and associations, in addition to being invited to professional development opportunities coordinated by a VISTA Leader in your cohort. Please visit our website for more openings and information about current living allowance rates and benefits.