Leadership Opportunity at Nuestras Raices Farm

Apply to be 1 of the 2 Seminar Coordinators for a Community-based Sustainability & Food Security course!
Unique, credit bearing practicum opportunity for two experienced  students to work with a Plant & Soil Science professor, UMass Civic   Engagement & Service Learning staff and community partner, Nuestras Raices to take the lead in coordinating a 2-credit Practicum course  for college students interested in a community-based, hands on
experience with community gardening, sustainability and food security  at Nuestras Raices in Holyoke, Mass. The coordinators will receive 4   Practicum credits for this role.

Project Description:
This Community-based Sustainability & Food Security course will be a   2-credit practicum course for up to 20 undergraduates.  It will   consist facilitating 2-hour seminar sessions, every other week (7   sessions) over the Fall 2012 semester as well as 4 farm work days   (likely Saturdays) at La Finca Farm, Nuestras Raices in Holyoke, Mass.
The topics of the sessions will be determined in conjunction with the  Practicum Facilitators, a sponsoring Plant and Soil Science faculty   member and a staff member from UMass CESL.

Position Description:
The Seminar Coordinators(s) of this practicum course will:
1.        Work with a faculty member and UMass CESL to plan 7 two-hour   practicum sessions to include orientation to community-based   service-learning practice, orientation to the Holyoke community, and   several curricular topics related to sustainability, community   gardening and food security.  Planning will take place of over the   Spring/Summer 2012.
2.        Identify and arrange for guest speakers related to curricular   topics for the 7 seminar sessions.
3.        Arrange for relevant readings for each seminar session.
4.        Facilitate the 7 seminar sessions.
5.        Provide meaningful and relevant Reflection prompts after each   practicum session that will help students connect the community-based   work with the classroom content.
6.        Review and provide feedback on student Reflections.
7.        Work with staff at Nuestras Raices to coordinate 4, six- hour  workdays (likely on Saturdays throughout the Fall) or the equivalent   of 24 hours minimum for the semester.
8.        Attend the workdays to provide coordination and leadership.
9.        Keep track of student attendance and participation at each session   and work day, and on each reflection assignment.
10.        Gather feedback from the community partner about the effectiveness   of the service and student participation.
11.        Collaborate with the instructor of record to determine grading  criteria and assign grades to the students.
12.        Meet with the instructor of record and UMass CESL staff person as   needed to create the most effective learning experience possible.
13.         Submit bi-weekly reports to the instructor of record and UMass   CESL staff.
14.        Submit an end of the semester report on the seminar course, the   service experience and a statement of personal learning.

Apply by Friday, April 6, 2012
To apply, send:
– your contact information (name, email, phone)
– anticipated year of graduation and major/minor
– a statement about why you are interested in this experience.
-an explanation of your qualifications related to the above Position Description
– names and contact info for 2 references who can speak to your ability related to this position
to both:
Molly Totman  mtotman@acad.umass.edu   and
Carol Soules      csoules.cesl@umass.edu