Kids' Farm Fall Naturalist

Save to Favorites

Kids Farm Volunteer Naturalist

Part-time, unpaid volunteer position | Sept - mid Nov

Oxbow is a 25-acre organic farm, education center, and native plant nursery located on a 100-acre wilderness preserve in the Snoqualmie Valley, 25 miles east of Seattle. The farm supports a 700-member CSA and supplies over 30 restaurants and independent grocery stores with local, organic produce. Our education center, which has a small working farm and Living Playground, is committed to teaching children about sustainable agriculture and the environment. At Oxbow visitors see firsthand where their food comes from, where salmon spawn, and understand why we need to protect both. The Native Plant Nursery, built in 2013, is a production, research and education facility that oversees our conservation efforts.

Position Overview

Oxbow will host hundreds of children in Sept and October for our series of Fall Farm Adventures and October attractions. Primarily pre-school and elementary-aged students visit the farm for 75-minute hands-on farm tours facilitated by farmer and volunteer instructors. Kids learn about the six plant parts, seeds, soil, compost, worms, and other basics of organic farming.

Volunteer naturalists will be responsible for leading tours with 8-12 kids around our 1-acre Kids’ Farm. When no tours are scheduled, volunteers will assist the education team in a variety of farming tasks around the Kids’ Farm. Only a moderate understanding of food and farms is necessary. There will be a lot of opportunity for learning from our staff.

Qualifications

• Exceptionally positive attitude
• Must enjoy working with children and adults
• Comfortable speaking in front of large groups
• Ability to take direction, ask for help when necessary, and accept constructive feedback on work and technique
• Clear, consistent communication
• Ability to: work standing, sitting, bending over or kneeling; lift heavy & awkward objects, preferably up to 50 lbs; perform physical work such as digging or planting; all in inclement weather.
• Prior experience in the area of agriculture, sustainability, food systems, education, or environmental studies preferred
• Ability to pass a background check

Responsibilities

• Lead field trip programs for students from pre-school through middle school
• Facilitate garden and farm projects with children
• Interact with participants and volunteers in a friendly and enthusiastic manner
• Participating in farming tasks on the Kids’ Farm
• Maintain open communication with Oxbow staff and other volunteers

Hours

• Seasonal commitment for our fall programming and October attactions
• Minimum of 2 farm tours per week
• Tours are at 9:30, 11:00, and 12:30 Monday - Friday. Volunteers can stay for one, two, or three tours, but must be present at our 8:30 morning meeting to be outlined on the day’s activities
• Weekly time commitment and schedule will be discussed with each applicant to meet the needs of the volunteer and Oxbow Farm
• Ability to attend the Volunteer Orientation in August (TBD)

Benefits

• Opportunity to develop skills and experience teaching and facilitating outdoor and farming education
• Inspire the next generation to eat healthy, enjoy gardening, and value conservation
• Access to fresh, organic produce
• Work as a team with Oxbow staff in a fun and collaborative environment
• Spend time at a beautiful organic farm just outside of the city of Seattle
• This is an unpaid volunteer position

Application Deadline:

August 10, 2016

How to Apply

Applications are located at www.oxbow.org/volunteer

If interested please send or email your application to:

Oxbow Farm and Conservation Center
Attn: Meredith
10819 Carnation-Duvall Road NE
Carnation, WA 98014
volunteer@oxbow.org
www.oxbow.org