Job Type: Part-Time (20 hrs/wk)

Location: 5 Loaves Farm, Buffalo, NY

Compensation: $24/hour

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Empower Buffalo high school students to discover their God-given gifts & growth opportunities, while using our urban farm as a living classroom to teach the life skills & job skills needed for them to flourish. 

• Youth Supervision -  Oversee youth interns as they engage in internship activities, including giving clear direction, boosting morale, keeping them on task, and facilitating conflict resolution as needed. Aid in scheduling, & communication with interns.

• Youth Empowerment - Foster supportive relationships through community building activities. Develop curriculum & lead farm, kitchen, & food justice lessons & discussions. Facilitate work skill training, goal setting & accountability.  Cultivate life skills & offer spiritual guidance.

• Farm Work - Facilitate youth involvement in helping the farm staff with crop planting, seedling management, cultivation, pest control, irrigation, composting, fertilization, harvesting, post-harvest processing tasks, cooking, produce sales, and special events.

• Mentorship Oversight - Participate in the ongoing evaluation & development of a mentorship program that fosters the personal & professional growth of youth interns. Assist in the recruitment, training, and support of the adult volunteer mentors.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 21 years or older, AND 

• Experience instructing high school students in either formal or informal education settings

• Knowledge and/or personal experience in agriculture, gardening, or landscaping

• After-school & evening availability, as well as occasional Saturday availability

DESIRED:  

• Drivers license

• Can lift 50 lbs.

• Experience with cloud-based spreadsheets & documents

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

• A desire to work with youth from diverse backgrounds.

• Familiarity with & a desire to provide trauma-informed care & mental health first aid for these youth.

• Willingness to support and form meaningful relationships with youth interns & their families.

• A hard-working individual that is passionate about serving the West Side community of Buffalo.

• Someone who helps youth accept the taxing nature of farm work and discover its rewards.

• An independent & self-motivated worker that can efficiently & precisely complete tasks by themselves.  

• A team player who will initiate communication & work in collaboration with others in order to complete a job.

• Individuals that are open to participating in the farm’s rhythms of prayer, study & reflection.

ABOUT 5 LOAVES FARM:

5 Loaves Farm (5loavesfarm.org) is a ministry of the Buffalo Vineyard Church that employs youth from our neighborhood while growing healthy food for those that need it in the community.  We provide life-shaping jobs that offer challenging & highly rewarding experiences in sustainable agriculture, food justice, youth mentorship, diversity, & Christian spirituality.