Farming and Food Access Summer Temp 2024

University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA Full-time Farming / Fishing / Forestry

Posted on April 8, 2024

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Farming and Food Access Summer Temp 2024

University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

Posted Job Title
Farming and Food Access Summer Temp 2024

Job Profile Title
Temporary Employee - Non-Exempt

Job Description Summary
The Penn Farm, a Wellness at Penn Program, is a unique, multidisciplinary program that engages stakeholders from across the Penn community around three focus areas of access, sustainability, and education. Wellness at Penn, Penn's Center for Public Health, and Facilities and Real Estate Services (FRES) joined together to establish Penn Farm in 2019. Penn Farm is Penn's first and only on-campus farm. Each year, the farm grows thousands of pounds of organic produce to support food access initiatives that address food insecurity within the Penn community and hosts a wide variety of programming including research, internships, class visits, courses, workshops, volunteer opportunities, and events.

As a program within Wellness at Penn, Penn Farm also works within the mission of the broader Wellness office: Wellness at Penn is dedicated to keeping students well and ready to achieve in all aspects of life through prevention, education, and health promotion. We seek to infuse wellness across its eight domains (spiritual, physical, emotional, social, occupational, financial, social, intellectual, and environmental) throughout the Penn experience through inclusive, innovative, and impactful initiatives. Our Core Values are grounded in collaborative CARE (Compassion, Accessibility, Respect, Empowerment) and fuel everything we do.

To learn more about Penn Farm and Wellness at Penn, check out our Instagram (@wellnessatpenn) and website (https://wellness.upenn.edu/penn-farm)

Job Description
Sustainability and Access (Farming): The Penn Farm summer fellowship program is a unique and dynamic work experience. Fellows will develop skills in sustainable agriculture and learn how to implement climate resilient, regenerative farming techniques within an urban context. All produce grown by summer fellows will be used in Penn Farm's food access programs.

No farming experience is necessary, but applicants should be aware that farming is extremely physically demanding. Fellows are expected to arrive on time to scheduled shifts with the supplies they need for the day and be prepared to work in various weather conditions, such as high heat and rain during the summer months. Farm work requires standing, bending over, or kneeling throughout the eight-hour farm shift, with breaks as needed.

Education: Penn Farm fellows will learn some of the foundational principles of food justice and gain a more complex understanding of the food system through our fellowship curriculum. Fellows will use knowledge gained from the curriculum to assist Penn Farm leadership in developing educational materials and presenting to tour groups.

Specific Tasks will Include:

Sustainability and Access - Penn Farm (60%):

Support all aspects of farming, including but not limited to: seeding, planting, cultivating, harvesting, bed preparation, laying irrigation, fertilizing, and trellising.
Conduct post-harvest processing for food access programs including washing, packing, and weighing produce; stocking the fridge and recording harvest metrics.
Support program staff with volunteers, groups, and class visits to the Farm; collect attendance information of visitors to Penn Farm.
Assist with maintenance and design of farm infrastructure including research, design, building, tool upkeep, and shed organization.
Maintain a clean and organized farm space, shed, and fridge room.
Assist with research into best practices for organic farming, integrated pest and disease management, etc.

Education - Wellness at Penn offices (40%):

Complete the fellowship curriculum including readings, podcasts, videos, presentations and projects
Curriculum Design: Work with fellowship cohort on developing teaching tools, lesson plans and best practices for use in Penn Farm programming
Social-Media and Communications: Work with Wellness at Penn communications staff to share your experience through social media content including educational posts, newsletter articles, videos, etc.

Qualifications:

Current undergraduate or graduate Penn student
Ability to lift 50 pounds., complete challenging, outdoor work, and work outside in various weather conditions with breaks as needed
Must be able to work independently and be a creative self-starter
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills- must be able to work effectively with a team
Experience with sustainable farming, gardening or garden education is preferred but not required

Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
This position schedule will range from 35-40 hours/week, typically Mon-Fri 9am-5pm with occasional evening or early morning work.

Department / School
Health and Wellness

Pay Range
$7.25 - $15.00 Hourly Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements
Background check may be required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/3535-Market/Farming-and-Food-Access-Summer-Temp-2024_JR00088581

Apply Now

Farming and Food Access Summer Temp 2024

University of Pennsylvania

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