Permaculturist & Master Gardener

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Job Title: Permaculturist & Master Gardener

Location: Varied Organic Farms in Washington State (Tumwater, Olympia, Yelm, and Seattle, possibly abroad next year)

Organization: C.A.R.E. Wellness Center & Services - Olympia, Washington

Time Commitment: 10-20 hours/week

Job Summary: C.A.R.E. Wellness Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity with a mission of providing a safe farm stay, holistic retreat, and wellness programs for BIPOC community and allies for equality. Its programs are focused on persons of color and works with vulnerable populations such as BIPOC with justice-involvement, foster youth, and those suffering mental health challenges. The person in this role must be sensitive to these populations and center their duties on wellness.

Our mission is to provide a safe farm stay, holistic retreat, and wellness programs for black, indigenous, people of color and allies, to recover from Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome via Spirituality, AgroTourism, and Racial Justice.

Our Vision is Connectivity: to Nature; to God; and to Self. Or goal of acquiring farmland is to establish a safe spiritual retreat for people of color to escape constant trauma and begin repairing their fractured foundation and realize self-actualization. Our programs are a research community project with a goal of empowering others to heal from PTSS.

We are positioning ourselves to receive donations and grants in the coming year to pilot our wellness program in May 2024. Until we can acquire our own farmland, we partner with local organic farms who align with our mission. We have community partners in Thurston, Pierce, and King counties, as well as abroad for future wellness exchange programs. We'd like to design outdoor learning spaces where our program participants can attend wellness program workshops, including Nature Therapy, where they have plant teachings and outdoor projects of volunteer work. The Founder/CEO is a woman of color, pansexual, and person with disabilities fully committed to the growth of both C.A.R.E. Wellness Center (nonprofit) and C.A.R.E. Family Services, LLC (for-profit), also doing direct services for children and youth. The outdoor learning spaces we need help designing will be used for workshops, meetings, group activities, events, and provide family-friendly spaces for impacted children and youth to spend quality time with their family. This is a planning and designing project only, for now, in collaboration with an Architect to landscape and financially plan.

The Permaculturist and Master Gardener will mentor and lead the development and management of sustainable agriculture initiatives for C.A.R.E., with a specific focus on serving young Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) adults, and allies, who have experienced trauma. This role encompasses permaculture design, organic gardening, mentorship, and educational outreach to empower individuals with skills and opportunities for personal and community growth.

The Permaculturist and Master Gardener will play a key role in designing, developing and maintaining sustainable and regenerative agriculture initiatives for the future home of C.A.R.E. Wellness Center in Washington state. This position involves brainstorming permaculture practices, applying permaculture principles, and providing expertise in gardening and horticulture to support the center's mission of promoting wellness and community engagement. Permaculturists with an understanding and respect for Dr. Sebi's alkaline diet is highly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:

1. Permaculture Design and Implementation:

   • Develop and implement permaculture designs for the center's future agricultural spaces, incorporating sustainable and regenerative practices tailored to the unique needs and challenges of young BIPOC adults in a healing and wellness context.
   • Plan and establish diverse, resilient ecosystems that align with the principles of permaculture.

2. Garden Planning and Maintenance:

   • Design, plan, and cultivate organic gardens to meet the nutritional and therapeutic needs of the center's programs.
   • Manage soil health, water systems, and plant diversity to ensure productive and sustainable gardens.
   • Implement companion planting, polyculture, and other permaculture techniques.

3. Educational Outreach:

   • Potential to partner with the professional facilitating Nature Therapy workshops and improve training sessions with lessons on permaculture principles, sustainable agriculture, and gardening to staff, program participants, and the community.
   • Collaborate with other wellness programs to integrate gardening and agriculture into educational initiatives.

4. Volunteer Coordination:

   • Recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers to assist with gardening and permaculture projects.
   • Foster a sense of community engagement and ownership in the agricultural initiatives.

5. Community Engagement:

   • Collaborate with the center's staff to integrate agriculture into wellness programs and trauma-informed care initiatives.
   • Facilitate community-building activities within the agricultural projects to promote a supportive and inclusive environment.

6. Skill Development and Trade Certification:

   • Work with participants to identify and develop skills relevant to agriculture as a trade.
   • Explore opportunities for participants to gain recognized certifications or qualifications in agriculture.

7. Food Production:

   • Work with program coordinators to cultivate fruits, vegetables, and herbs that align with the center's wellness goals and can be used for Farmacy & Market merchandise.
   • Coordinate with the culinary team to integrate homegrown produce into wellness programs.

8. Environmental Stewardship:

   • Implement and promote sustainable practices, including composting, rainwater harvesting, and waste reduction.
   • Monitor and address issues related to pests and diseases using organic and permaculture-appropriate methods.

9. Documentation and Reporting:

   • Maintain accurate records of garden plans, planting schedules, and crop yields.
   • Provide regular reports on the success and challenges of permaculture and gardening initiatives.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's degree in Permaculture Design, Horticulture, Agriculture, or a related field.
2. Completion of a Master Gardener program or equivalent horticultural training.
3. Proven experience in permaculture design and implementation.
4. Strong knowledge of organic gardening practices, soil science, and plant biology.
5. Excellent communication and teaching skills for educational outreach.
6. Experience coordinating and leading volunteer efforts.
7. Passion for promoting wellness and community through sustainable agriculture.
8. Does not require a visa for this project.