Community Garden and Urban Forestry VISTA

Join the Oregon Health Authority AmeriCorps VISTA team at Elderberry Wisdom Farm, a Native American nonprofit, to expand the community garden project to 4 new low-income neighborhoods in Salem, OR.

The AmeriCorps member will increase access to fresh foods, improve health and quality of life, and reduce urban heat in low-income neighborhoods by engaging community in the planning, development, and sustainability of community garden plots. The member will:

1. Develop community garden expansion plans, site assessment tools, and sustainability guides
2. Develop a volunteer outreach and recruitment plan to grow the volunteer base
3. Develop training curricula, educational materials, and facilitator guides for staff or volunteers to deliver 
4. Conduct community outreach to raise awareness and share accomplishments during harvest celebrations

AmeriCorps VISTA members serve Oregonians through indirect service and capacity building, meaning the work you will do is the behind-the-scenes work. 

Applicants should be independent, motivated, reliable, and have strong writing and intercultural communication skills. Experience with MS Office, project planning, and coaching skills preferred.

This position joins Oregon Health Authority’s statewide AmeriCorps VISTA team at Elderberry Wisdom Farm (EWF).

Elderberry Wisdom Farm is a 501(c)(3) Native American nonprofit organization located in rural Marion County in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. EWF provides holistic workforce opportunities and culturally tailored training and mentoring for Native Americans pursuing meaningful career pathway planning into conservation, horticultural and agricultural careers. We create workforce development opportunities for Native American youth, adults and elders. 

In collaboration with community, EWF develops sustainable community gardens in low-income neighborhoods to increase access to fresh food, encourage healthy living, and strengthen resiliency of Native American communities. The project creates shared growing spaces, provides gardening education, engages volunteers, and empowers families to grow nutritious produce. Together, we will promote self-sufficiency, environmental stewardship, and healthier, more connected neighborhoods.

In addition to activities at your individual host site, OHA provides members with project orientation, training and professional development, 5 in-person team meetings per year, and support from VISTA team leaders and project director.

Visit www.elderberrywisdom.org to learn more about Elderberry Wisdom Farm. Visit: healthoregon.org/vista for more details about the OHA VISTA project.

Position offers are made on a rolling basis; early applications are strongly encouraged. This work is to be completed in-person at EWF in Salem, Oregon.