Seeking Applicants for Board of Directors
Schoolyard Farms (SYF) is looking for individuals to join our Board of Directors who can help build and grow the nonprofit into a sustainable organization. Schoolyard Farms is a unique model that has the potential to make school gardens sustainable, as well as, urban agriculture economically viable. We are looking for individuals who are passionate about changing the food system and health of our communities. Because we are a growing organization, we are looking for a diverse group of individuals who can commit their time to helping us grow. The average Board Member spends a minimum of 4 hours/month working on Board-related activities, and up to 10 hours/month when we have a project or event.
SYF is most in need of new Board Members with skills/expertise in the following areas:
- Accounting
- Fundraising and Development
- Live near our pilot farm at Candy Lane Elementary in Milwaukie, OR and have strong ties to local business
- Legal expertise
Experience with any of the following skills would also be an asset to the organization:
- PR/marketing/event planning
- Grant writing
- Nonprofit organizational development
- Program evaluation experience
- Farm to School experience
Requirements:
- Must live or work primarily in Clackamas, Multnomah or Washington Counties
- Willing and able to serve a 2-year term
- Willing and able to attend, and occasionally host, monthly meetings; usually held on weeknights in and around Portland or Jennings Lodge
- Willing and able to serve on a Subcommittee that meets outside of regular Board meetings
About Schoolyard Farms:
Schoolyard Farms is a growing nonprofit that fosters health in the community by teaching kids how to grow food that goes from their schoolyard to their plate. We do this by building farms on schoolyards that serve as outdoor classrooms and make fresh, local food more accessible. Our pilot farm is located at Candy Lane Elementary in Milwaukie, OR where we are repurposing one acre of the schoolyard into a mini-production farm. Each week, we teach over 300 students how to grow food through hands-on lessons on the farm. This year, we furthered the students’ connection to their food-system by serving the food grown on-site in the cafeteria. We also host a farm-based summer camp and sell our produce to 35 CSA members, Head Start and local restaurants. Someday soon, we envision a farm on every schoolyard that can feed its cafeteria.
How to Apply:
Interested individuals should submit their resume along with answers to the questions below to [email protected] by 5:00pm on Friday, August 7th to be considered.
We anticipate that members will be notified for further consideration and invited to a board meeting in September of 2015. Final decisions will be made then and new Board Members will begin serving on the Board in October.
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Any questions can be directed to Courtney Leeds, Co-founder of Schoolyard Farms, by emailing [email protected]
Application Questions:
1. Why would you like to serve on Schoolyard Farms’ Board of Directors?
2. Please list relevant skills or knowledge you will bring to the Board:
3. Please describe your experiences working on teams or in collaborative settings:
4. Describe one strategy to grow and sustain Schoolyard Farms: