New Job!

I recently accepted an Americorps position that will last for the next 11 months! I am really excited about the position and am really amazed I found a job so soon after moving. My position is through the Community Alliance of Family Farmers (or CAFF). My position title is "Farm to School Coordinator". I will basically be teaching kids about nutrition, farms, food cycles, etc. and get them excited about eating local fruits and veggies. To do this I coordinate a "Know your Farmer" Program. This entails three different steps that take place throughout the school year. First, I come to the classroom and teach a lesson, then I bring a local farmer into the classroom to talk to the kids, and finally we do a farm visit field trip. I will be working with at least 40 classes throughout the district, so it will be a busy year!

Today I had a farm field trip orientation where I learned about the different activities I can do with the kids on the farm. The field trip usually has stations and the kids rotate between stations. Here are some pictures from the training.

This is the site of the training, ugly huh?

This is Laura, the Americorp person I am replacing. She is super neato.

Volunteers learning about teaching kiddos.

I am pretty excited about all this. Did I mention I work in a trailer on a farm? I do and will upload some pictures on Monday.

A little side note. It is so hard dressing for this position. I refuse to wear pants/jeans when it is 85+ degrees out and its hard to work on a farm in a skirt. I went to training thinking that we would be inside talking about the lessons, but nope! We were going through them like the kids do (I bet alot of the other trainees judged me for wearing a skirt while they were all in jeans and sneaker, what can I say I am still in city mode). Its a good thing I don't mind kneeling and sitting in dirt while wearing a skirt AND that I brought a change of shoes. This is so different than my other jobs and everyday life of thinking about my outfit. I am trying to work out how to look nice and professional, while being able to chase kids around a farm for 1/3 of the year. At least the other 2/3 I will be in a classroom or office so I can wear my normal garb.