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Planting for the Pantry VISTA

Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture
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Planting for the Pantry VISTA 

Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture: Founded in 2009, CCUA works to enhance our community’s health by connecting people to agriculture and the land through hands-on learning opportunities from seed to plate.

AmeriCorps VISTA: Founded in 1965, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) is an anti-poverty program that provides opportunities for Americans 18 years or older from a diverse range of backgrounds to dedicate a year of full-time service with an organization to create or expand programs designed to empower individuals and communities in overcoming poverty. For more info please visit: https://americorps.gov/serve/americorps/americorps-vista

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Position Start and End Dates:  05/04/2026-05/03/2027 OR 06/01/2026-05/31/2027

 

Position’s hours of operation: Monday - Friday with some weekends and evenings, schedule TBD with manager

 

Deadline to Apply: Final application date is April 9th at midnight but don’t wait! Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 
 

To apply, visit: https://columbiaurbag.dm.networkforgood.com/forms/vista-2027-2027 

 

For more information contact: Katie Molitor at Katie@ColumbiaUrbanAg.Org

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Position Description: Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture’s (CCUA) Planting for the Pantry (P4P) program is a small team of committed individuals who are responsible for the the planning, planting, growing, harvesting, and donation of produce from the Agriculture Park’s one acre intensively-managed market farm. We produce over 25 crops from this field each season, for an annual donation of over 30,000 pounds of top-quality produce to the Food Bank Market. This AmeriCorps VISTA position will report to the Farm Manager in dedicating a year of service to learning and practicing the skill sets necessary to address food insecurity, run a small market farm operation, and how to utilize regenerative farming practices that work with nature to produce high yields in a limited urban space.

 

Duties:

  • Assisting in all necessary operations at the Demonstration Farm at Columbia’s Agriculture park. This includes, but is not limited to:
    • Applying soil health practices which includes soil carbon amendments, diverse cover cropping, soil testing and mineral balancing, and planting/maintenance of a variety of beneficial insect and pollinator habitat areas
    • Greenhouse care including watering and nursery organization
    • Crop planning, planting, cultivating, harvesting, and washing fruits and vegetables
    • Ensuring all food safety and sanitation guidelines are followed at all times
    • Maintaining harvest records
    • Site landscaping work, including mowing, weeding, and pruning
  • Once well-trained, leading groups of volunteers, which includes:
    • Providing training to Farm volunteers and apprentices in a diversity of tasks
    • Leading one-off community volunteer groups
    • Maintaining a safe and efficient work space for participants
  • Participate in organization-wide events/initiatives such as CCUA’s annual fundraiser, the Harvest Hootenanny, and summertime educational Field Day
  • Other duties as assigned

This is an extraordinary opportunity for an individual looking to gain comprehensive experience in the fast-paced fields of intensive market gardening and landscape management. The successful candidate will work closely with the Farm Manager and a team of highly motivated individuals to produce high quality vegetables for our community, while maintaining a welcoming and attractive city park farm. Prior experience is preferred but those without experience are encouraged to apply.

Requirements:

  • Be able to work 40hrs/wk
  • Be able to make a year long commitment to serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA member
  • Individuals in this role are expected to safely lift 50lbs
  • Reliable means of traveling to the worksite (CCUA vehicles can be used after arriving onsite)
  • Desire and ability to work quickly and effectively in all weather conditions, especially: rain, excessive cold, and excessive heat
  • Maintain a current status as one of the following: U.S. citizen, national, or legal resident
  • Ability to work occasional weekends and evenings
  • Ability to lead and engage a group of people
  • Personal qualities of integrity, reliability, and commitment to the mission and values of CCUA


 

Required Physical Qualifications: 

This position requires completing a variety of physical tasks in different weather conditions; the ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

 Requirements include: 

  • Able to safely carry 50 lbs at variable distances (often with a cart or wheelbarrow)
  • Ability to withstand repetitive movements like bending, reaching, speaking, and typing
  • Ability to withstand being outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including high and low temperatures and rain
  • Frequently mobile, with or without use of ambulatory assistive devices, for long periods of time in spaces that have a variety of surface variation and ground conditions
  • Withstand being outdoors in a variety of weather conditions including high and low temps and rain
  • Remain in a stationary position, including standing or sitting, for extended periods of time
  • Comfortable with the typical distractions of a bustling, open office environment
  • Ability to use voice for long periods of time and frequently project voice in an outdoor setting 

Benefits:

  • $2,080 monthly living stipend from AmeriCorps VISTA. Totaling $24,962 /year
  • AmeriCorps health benefit plan
  • Primary Care through Big Tree Medical and Paytient
  • Your own raised bed garden space at the Agriculture Park for personal use
  • Free vegetables, plants, and seeds from the farm 
  • $200 monthly housing stipend
  • $100 of garden infrastructure materials  
  • Relocation allowance is given to those who qualify
  • Childcare allowance is given to those who qualify
  • Student loan forbearance on federal loans
  • $7,395 Segal AmeriCorps Education award OR $1,800 cash upon completion of full year of service
  • Professional Development Opportunities including job shadowing, all-staff lunch and learns, workshops, webinars, and 1 on 1 coaching
  • 25 vacation/sick days
  • 9 holidays

 Learn more about AmeriCorps VISTA benefits here: VISTA Benefits | AmeriCorps