Urban Farm Fellow

Project summary

The California Climate Action Corps (CCAC) is part of a statewide initiative to address and mitigate the effects of climate change. CCAC matches Fellows with organizations to mobilize community members to take direct climate action through education, volunteer mobilization, and assessment focused on urban greening, organic waste diversion and edible food recovery, and wildfire resiliency. This is a climate-focused, workforce development program for emerging climate and environmental leaders.

Opportunity description

Located in a disadvantaged community lacking access to fresh organic produce, California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), operates a Campus Urban Farm project aimed at addressing food security and providing urban agriculture educational opportunities. The project involves cultivating crops and maintaining chicken coops, with all harvested produce allocated to ToroCARE, the university's basic needs department. Fellow's responsibilities include hands-on crop cultivation and maintenance, support Farm operations including on-site composting systems, and participate in urban greening initiatives with the Office of Sustainability alongside student volunteers and interns. Additionally, Fellows will assist in facilitating sustainability classes, maintaining off-grid energy generation demonstration projects, and organizing events for students and external organizations. The project aims to build Campus Urban Farm capacity, improve campus food distribution networks, promote sustainability education and zero waste efforts, and foster relationships with community partners to increase awareness of urban agriculture and food desert issues. Duties include, but are not limited to: Develop and expand agricultural projects, campus food networks, and campus crop and livestock (chickens and fish) cultivation and care. Design and implement educational resources and training programs for students engaged in Farm activities, cultivating understanding of urban agriculture and nutrition in food deserts. Coordinate internal and external educational outreach events and programming at the Farm, empowering student interns and Farm guides to deliver educational content effectively. Cultivate partnerships with community stakeholders to raise awareness of urban agriculture and food desert issues, facilitating access to healthy produce options through the Campus Urban Farm.

Benefits

• $33,600 stipend
• $10,000 education award
• 340 hours of professional development
• Minimum essential healthcare
• Loan forbearance
• Food and childcare assistance (for those eligible)