VISTA - Hydroponic Freight Farm Capacity Building

Connecticut Foodshare is the food bank serving all of our neighbors across the state. Working with a strong network of community-based hunger relief programs, we help provide nutritious food as well as long-term, sustainable solutions to food insecurity. By joining Connecticut Foodshare, you will be part of a team that helps drive community awareness, garners support, leverages research, and engages volunteers, to realize our vision of a thriving community free of hunger.

What is a VISTA?

Founded in 1964, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) is an anti-poverty program designed to provide needed resources to nonprofit organizations and public agencies to increase their capacity to lift communities out of poverty. AmeriCorps VISTA 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.

***Note this is a full-time, one year volunteer assignment. VISTAs are provided with a living allowance and other benefits detailed below.**

Position Summary:

This VISTA volunteer will build Connecticut Foodshare’s capacity to provide a reliable supply of nutritious leafy greens to Connecticut residents experiencing poverty and food insecurity. The production method is on-site freight farms where produce is grown hydroponically. The members will develop reusable training, nutrient testing protocols, yield reporting tools, standard operating procedures, community volunteer training tools, and donor education resources that staff and volunteers can continue using after the service year. These systems are intended to strengthen food access by improving production reliability, reducing avoidable losses, and sustaining community resources.

Responsibilities:

• Learn Hydroponic Agricultural Methods
• Design recording templates for varies tasks of freight farm including production, yield and process
• Develop talking points and impact statements to be utilized in donor relations
• Create toolkits and educational curriculum for onboarding community volunteers 
• Reduce barriers to access for people served 
• Document all lessons learned and recommendations for future program improvements
• Conduct a thorough program evaluation following support sessions

Benefits:

• A biweekly living allowance (living allowance rate listed by state & county)
• Members receive free basic healthcare coverage during their AmeriCorps service 
• Childcare assistance (Eligible members receive a subsidy for children under 13 years) 
• A choice of either a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award ($7,395.00 to pay off student loans and pay for tuition) or cash stipend ($1,800) at the end of the service year 
• 1 year of noncompetitive eligibility for federal jobs 
• Eligibility for scholarships and fellowships at a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate programs across the country 
• Eligibility for forbearance for most federally guaranteed student loans 
• 1 year of professional experience with a cutting-edge Top Workplace winning nonprofit  
• Serve along side experts in related field
• Develop skills and explore career interests 
• Build professional network 
• Make a positive impact on the lives of Connecticut’s food insecure neighbors 

Minimum Education/Experience:

• High school diploma/GED 
• Experience with Microsoft Office Products
• Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation

Preferred Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree
• 1-3 years of experience in a similar or related role
• Experience with and comfort with public speaking, meeting facilitation and community organizing
• Experience in teaching or training environment or with public speaking
• Some Spanish speaking ability

Pay Range

The AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer roles are volunteer positions. Volunteers do receive a modest living allowance.  Please see the current Living Allowance Chart . The range is reflective of where the role is based. Wallingford is in the South Central Connecticut Planning Region and Bridgeport is in the Greater Bridgeport Planning Region. 

Benefits 

AmeriCorps offers many benefits, including an end of service benefit in the form of either an educational award or end of service cash stipend, childcare for children under 13, healthcare benefit plan, personal and medical leave (10 days of each) , professional development opportunities, loan forbearance and deferment, educational award match and relocation travel allowance. For the full list and explanation of benefits visits AmeriCorps VISTA benefits