We are looking for two Massachusetts residents to join New Entry as Commonwealth Corps Service Members!
About Commonwealth Corps Service and The Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA):
The mission of the Commonwealth Corps service internship program is to engage Massachusetts residents of all ages, backgrounds, and identities in direct service to strengthen communities, address critical needs, and increase volunteerism. Commonwealth Corps is an opportunity for you to gain professional skills and valuable knowledge while positively impacting diverse communities in our state.
The Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) is a private, nonprofit agency that oversees the program and supports host site partners and members to find success throughout the program year. The two Commonwealth Corps members with New Entry Sustainable Farming Project will serve 10 months in a full-time capacity. They will join a diverse corps of members across Massachusetts who share a common desire to discover their passion and build their network in service to their communities and the Commonwealth.
Members serve in a full-time position from 8/2½023 - 6/24/2024. Benefits include a focus on member training and development, as well as a twice-monthly stipend, a completion award, an inspiring network of fellow members, and other benefits and supports. Joining Commonwealth Corps means becoming part of a diverse group of people across Massachusetts who share a common desire to discover their passion and build their network in service to their communities and the Commonwealth.
Current Open Positions!
Food Access and Community Engagement Coordinators (two positions)
The New Entry Sustainable Farming Project’s (New Entry) mission is to improve our local and regional food systems by training the next generation of farmers to produce food that is sustainable, nutritious, and culturally-appropriate and making this food accessible to individuals regardless of age, mobility, ethnicity, or socio-economic status. In doing this work, we provide critical training, career development, and economic opportunity to new farmers. The New Entry Food Hub aims to build long-term economic self-reliance and food security among farmers in eastern Massachusetts and their communities, and to expand access of healthy and culturally appropriate foods in underserved areas through production of locally grown foods.
The Commonwealth Corps Members will assist in outreach and engagement efforts to grow our food access partnerships and provide distribution support. Service members will perform the following: (a) Food Hub and Farm Production Support: alongside farmer trainees and farmer training staff, support educational goals and experiential farm programming in demonstration training plot, support demonstration plot maintenance with volunteers including planting, weeding, harvesting of crops for food access and food hub markets; (b) Food Hub Logistical Support: support volunteer outreach, training, coaching, and food hub distribution logistics; (c) Mobile Market Pilot: research and develop enterprise model for mobile market program in low-income North Shore communities; (d) Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement: define volunteer needs on farm and in food hub; (e) Community Event Planning and Support: develop schedule of community engagement events on farm and volunteer roles needed, engage community partners to leverage outreach, and support execution of events and follow up services.
Essential Responsibilities:
• Complete a minimum of 1,500 hours of service, serving through June 24, 2024.
• Attend a minimum of 6 Commonwealth Corps trainings and service events held by MSA post orientation.
• Participate in a minimum of 1 hour of MSA-related activities each week. This may include filling out timesheets, completing a bi-monthly reflection or check-in, or other MSA-related tasks or activities.
• Conduct community outreach to increase awareness and engagement in New Entry programs and services to build partnerships and generate community support for the mission.
• Recruit, engage, manage, track, and steward volunteers to support New Entry operations.
• Contribute to New Entry newsletter development and website content.
• Participate in Food Hub coordination and management, including share packing, volunteer supervision, marketing, CSA/Senior share newsletter development, and connecting low income consumers to fresh locally grown food.
• Support Farmer Training team to prepare produce for market (harvesting, washing, and packing produce), support demonstration plot maintenance (planting, weeding, watering), and facilitate produce distribution to consumers.
Marginal Responsibilities:
• Support planning and coordination of on farm community events and tours for the public.
• Support agricultural training courses and workshops.
• Facilitate project evaluation, collection of metrics, and tracking of project outcomes.
Be a part of the greater Commonwealth Corps community, including participating in cross-site learning groups, writing a short profile for the CC newsletter, connecting with other members on our online platforms, and attending optional social/service events.
You must be:
• A Massachusetts resident (see guidelines here) with legal authorization to work in the U.S.
• 18 years of age at minimum (member age range is 18 – 70+ years old).
• Excited to give back to your community and interested in developing your skills and gaining new professional experiences.
• Able to balance service internship commitments with personal commitments in a sustainable way.
• Passionate about food justice, local food, farming, and building community connections to food and land.
• Excited and able to be outdoors in all weather conditions, on uneven terrain in an agricultural setting.
• Eager to plan engaging community events and activities for all ages.
• Adept at computer programs such as Microsoft Office, Social Media, and willing to learn new skills.
• Have access to reliable transportation to get to the farm/office each day.
It would also be great if you:
• Had Salesforce CRM database expertise.
• Had graphic design experience.
• Had experience in community outreach, promotion, and marketing and are comfortable speaking in front of small and large audiences and giving tours.
• Had experience in recruiting, managing, engaging, and supervising diverse volunteers of all skill levels.
• Are able to lift at least 25 lbs repeatedly to help move produce boxes and stack bins.
• Are willing to drive a box truck or delivery van if needed and have a clean driving record.
• Speak a language other than English – multi-lingual candidates encouraged to apply.
What You’ll Get:
• Stipend of $1,200 semi-monthly while in service, up to $25,200, minus taxes and withholdings.
• Health insurance (individual coverage only).
• Member assistance program, including unlimited, confidential, 24/7, phone counseling services and up to three free, in-person counseling sessions, plus a lot more.
• Completion award of up to $4000 upon successful completion of service, minus taxes and withholdings.
• Reimbursement for outside training or professional development opportunities relevant to member’s service and/or goals (Up to $100; Dependent on approval from MSA).
• Fresh Produce from the farm (fruit, vegetables).
• Professional development opportunities and access to New Entry farmer training courses and workshops and regional agricultural conferences and learning opportunities.
• Extensive training from MSA with a diversity, equity and inclusion focus and other professional development opportunities.
• Limited reimbursement for travel to Corps-wide MSA-sponsored activities.
• Internet reimbursement up to $50/month while required to complete some service from home.
• Limited travel reimbursement from their host site for certain service-related travel away from their usual service location, according to that agency's policies.
• Mental Health/Personal Day once per month counting towards 8hrs.
• The opportunity for at least 10 days of planned absences (may include holidays, does not count towards hours requirement).
Please note that receipt of these stipends/benefits may impact an individual’s eligibility for certain public benefits.
Term of Service:
• Position Start Date: August 21, 2023.
• Position End Date: June 24, 2024.
• Service commitment: 40 hours per week during the following days/times: Monday –Friday 8 am – 5 pm or Sunday – Thursday 8 am – 5 pm. Potential for up to 2 weekend commitments per month (events, courses), with two weeks’ notice provided. Some evenings required with advanced notice.
• In-person service at the farm required; option of occasional Friday “remote work” days.
How to Apply:
• To apply, please send a written cover letter identifying your interest in the position and why you want to serve and resume outlining skills and experience to: Kimberly Kasper, Associate Director at kimberly.kasper@tufts.edu. Early applications are encouraged as applications will be accepted on rolling basis, with preference given to candidates who apply by June 9th. Questions about this position can be directed to Kimberly Kasper, kimberly.kasper@tufts.edu, or 413-244-4085.
Accepted members will be required to undergo a criminal history check.
New Entry Sustainable Farming Project will recruit and select persons in all positions to ensure a diverse and inclusive climate without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, color, political affiliation, creed, national origin, marital status, or any other status as protected by federal, state, and local laws. New Entry Sustainable Farming Project welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and will make reasonable accommodations for interviews and for service upon request.