We're Hiring!  

Rural Resources 
Garden Manager Position

Farm Description:

Rural Resources is a 501-c3, 15-acre farm in East Tennessee. The farm includes a new 3,900-square-foot learning center, barn,  creek, greenhouse, and walk-in cooler. Our mission is to connect farms, food, and families through experiential learning based on sustainable agriculture practices. The 2,500-square-foot garden is managed using hand tools, a walk behind tractor, and a small John Deere tractor with a tiller attachment. We also have small livestock that have mainly served for education and small-scale meat production.

Position Description:

This is a one year AmeriCorps position through Appalachia CARES. The Garden Manager position teaches at-risk teens organic agriculture and entrepreneurial skills. Responsibilities include but not limited to managing a garden, being an educational resource on organic food production for the community, safe food handling practices and farm business development. The Garden Manager also coordinates educational activities for younger children. During field trips.

Abilities and Skills:

The Garden Manager must possess a commitment to working with youth and a strong appreciation for farming, the land and the unique agricultural and cultural history of the Appalachian region. The Garden Manager must enjoy working with people and must be able to work independently with a minimum of supervision. This person must be able and willing to learn new skills through professional development opportunities in order to meet the broad range of tasks that are assigned to the position.

Duties:

· Oversee planning & growing a garden and teach at-risk teens organic sustainable agriculture methods

· Help design, build and maintain home gardens with teens

· Meet and include field trip participants and Farm Day Camp children in learning about the garden.

· Direct special projects including fencing, carpentry and other farm improvement projects and manage volunteers and teens from the Farm & Food Teen Training Program as a part of accomplishing those projects.

· Work as a part of a team.

· Help train seasonal staff in farm and food safety

· Maintain irrigation infrastructure

· Work with other farmers to help support the local agricultural economy.

· Participate in fundraising initiatives.

· Complete special projects as assigned

Requirements:

· Ability to teach and work with youth of all ages

· Minimum of 3 years organic vegetable crop production preferred

· Experience in farm labor, infrastructure, equipment, business management  and marketing

· Ability to communicate effectively with the public

· Understanding of agricultural principles, whole-farm planning, crop rotation, soil enhancement methods, soil science, and general ecology

· A good attitude, flexibility, and a commitment to achieving the goals and mission of Rural Resources.

· Strong interpersonal, oral & written skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a diverse team

· Detail oriented

· Creative and high energy

· Able to work in all weather conditions

· Able to lift 50 pounds

· Computer literate

How to Apply:

Please submit a cover letter explaining why you’re interest, a resume, and three references to: Debbie Strickland, Farm & Food Training Coordinator (email: debbie@ruralresources.net).  Deadline is Nov. 15. Please, no phone calls or walk-ins.

Rural Resources Receives Donation

Rural Resources would like to say a big "Thank You!" to Rhiannon Williams!

Rhiannon decided to start a fundraiser for us by "donating" her birthday. She tells about it in her own words at this link:

https://www.facebook.com/donate/2165155080377763/2165155083711096/

Thank you, Rhiannon!

Meet the Staff ...

Whew! Time sure flies! It's hard to believe it's already almost February of 2017. Soon we'll be seeing spring flowers around here again. Meanwhile, maybe this pic will help us all think warm thoughts.

In a previous blog post, I gave you a peak at some of what we do here at Rural Resources. This time, I'd like to introduce you to the staff. The first person you're likely to meet when you call or stop by our office is Sharon Tanner. 

Volunteer Coordinator/Office Assistant Sharon Tanner

Sharon Tanner has been with Rural Resources for more than 10 years as a volunteer and part-time employee, and is currently our volunteer coordinator and office assistant through the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) of 1st Tennessee Human Resources Agency. Sharon is an invaluable member of the Rural Resources team, infusing our organization with her positive "can-do" attitude and using her diverse employment experience and talents to further our mission. She says her time here has been a positive experience in both learning new skills and for the many opportunities it's given her to help our community.

Rhonda doesn't wait for folks to come to her. She goes to them.

Outreach Coordinator Rhonda Hensley

Rhonda Hensley's love for people has driven Rural Resources' outreach efforts since 2005. She served as the Mobile Farmers' Market Manager and has pioneered the Children's Farmer's Market program and a partnership with Second Harvest to bring fresh produce to low income neighborhoods.  She tirelessly seeks out those who can't get to soup kitchens or food drops because of transportation or health issues, to find ways to bring food to those who need it most. Rhonda received an associates degree in Education from Walters State Community College and attended East Tennessee State  University. Prior to working for Rural REsources, Rhonda operated a restaurant and rural country store. Her passion for nutritional educatio is focused on public and low income housing, where she has been instrumental in leading and teaching folks to grow and prepare some of their own food.

Sally Causey might be a more familiar name to you. 

Executive Director Sally Causey

Sally Causey, Rural Resources' executive director, has piloted our organization since 1996. Sally brings a great deal of energy and a wide variety of skills to the complex blend of public and private interests that define the nonprofit world. She loves teaching children of all ages how to milk Virginia the cow and takes an active role in field trips to the farm in spite of her busy schedule. Sally holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina and a MAEd. from Tusculum College. In addition to raising two boys with her husband, she's a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts, Elder in the Presbyterian Church, a 2004 Greene Co. Partnership Leadership Class graduate, and a 2015 graduate of the University of Tennessee's Consortium of Social Enterprise Effectiveness.

Anyone who is involved with the teen program will recognized Miss Debbie!

Farm and Food Teen Training Program Coordinator Debbie Strickland

Debbie Strickland is  the Farm and Food Teen Training program coordinator at Rural Resources, a post she has held since 2008. She is loved for her tireless efforts to empower and nurture disadvantaged youth and inspire them to reach their fullest potential. She teaches nearly 50 teens gardening, animal husbandry, cooking, business, and leadership skills annually. Prior to working with Rural Resources, she worked for Just for Girls, Manatee County Girls Club in Florida where she helped to develop class curricula. She has a college background in business administration and management, and comes from a family farm in Indiana.

Working closely with Miss Debbie is Taylor Boles.

AmeriCorps/Appalachia CARES Member Serving as the Garden and Grazing Manager Taylor Boles

Taylor Boles is an AmeriCorps/Appalachia CARES member serving as the garden and grazing manager. She works directly with youth in the Farm and Food Teen Training program, developing curricula and teaching classes, as well as planning and managing the teen garden and greenhouse. She is a full-time student pursuing a degree in biology with a concentration in environmental studies. Her passions include environmental justice and education. She hopes to make a difference in the world one compost bin at a time. 

Teddy Dabbs has been keeping the farm running for years.

Farm Manager Teddy Dabbs

Since 2007, Farm Manager Teddy Dabbs' welcoming smile, watchful eyes and capable hands have guided the farm through its seasonal cycles. He cares for the livestock daily, as well as oversees gardens, repairs, maintenance and supervises volunteers. His wealth of knowledge and experience has earned the respect of all who work with him, as well as the affectionate title of "Cow Whisperer." Teddy grew up on a Greene County farm and enjoys his time working in Rural Resources' country setting.

This guy usually stays in the background, but he loves to teach the kids. He is seen here telling them about vermiculture.

Accounts Manager Paul Scala

Paul Scala is Rural Resources’ accounts manager and works with the treasurer in the finance committee. Paul is a long-time organic grower and has been composting with worms for much of that time, something he shares with visitors of all ages who come to Rural Resources. Before becoming Accounts Manager, Paul’s position was Educator, where he taught gardening to elementary school children in after school programs. Previously, Paul worked in Accounts Payable for a local industry. He holds a B.A. in sociology from Binghamton University.

And that leaves me. I first learned about Rural Resources while conducting interviews for the Greeneville Sun's ATHENA Award nominations as a freelancer in 2014.

AmeriCorps/Appalachia CARES Member Serving as the Communications Coordinator Lorelei Goff

Lorelei Goff came to Rural Resources in 2014, enthusiastically volunteering her talents as a blogger and photographer, and working with Farm Day Camp. She became a seasonal program assistant in the Farm and Food Teen Training Program in 2016 and is currently serving as Rural Resources' communications coordinator through AmeriCorps/Appalachia CARES. Lorelei has a bachelor's degree with concentrations in journalism and environmental studies. In addition to serving at Rural Resources, she works as a freelance science and environmental writer, a staff writer and education editor at the Greeneville Sun and is a certified naturalist.

So that's all about us. How about telling us a little bit about yourself and how you became interested in Rural Resources? Please comment below!

Things Are "Hopping" Down at the Farm!

Yes, things are hopping at the farm today!

Four young ladies who graduated from the Farm and Food Teen Training Program in the last few years have returned as interns. They spent the morning hard at work in the rabbit barn that houses mini rex, angora and meat rabbits. They scrubbed enclosures, cleaned the barn and groomed the angoras. Great job, ladies!

While the interns were hard at work, Miss Debbie taught a class about food preservation. The teens will soon be in the kitchen at First Presbyterian Church, one of our important and much appreciated community partners, to get some hands-on experience with making jam. Some of us are hoping a jar will find its way to the office. We will gladly serve as volunteer taste testers!

Farmer Melissa kept busy -- as always -- harvesting produce and flowers and preparing them for market. In addition to CSAs, she hosts a unique outdoor dining and movie experience at her River House Farm. You can find out more about that on Facebook and Instagram @riverhousefarm.

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And littlest, but certainly not least, our little sprouts in Farm Day Camp learned about worms and how seeds sprout.  Robin and Joy kept it fun and provided many experiential learning opportunities along the way. 

Whew! Summer has barely begun and the farm is already a busy place! You won't want to miss out on any of it, so check our website and Facebook page often to keep in touch -- or better yet, come on down and see us!

Summer Kickoff!

Summer has just begun and so have the activities!

 As rays of light start shining through the treetops,

our teens are shining even brighter.

  

Alyssa Mabry and Janice Graf                         Maryem Sherman

        On June 2, "Catastrophic Kitchen Chicken Nuggets" met out at the farm under the new pavilion for a preservation class. Janice Graf, the mother of our own Debbie Strickland, led the class on making strawberry jam! The teens learned how to sterilize the jars, use pectin to thicken, and use basic canning equipment including the hot water bath canner.

Say hello to Taylor Boles and The V-Team!


Taylor Boles is Rural Resources new Garden Manager! Taylor is going to college for Environmental Engineering. She has attended Warren Wilson and Walter's State. She is in charge of teaching the teens all about how to maintain a garden. They've covered pest management, plants diseases, garden maintenance, and worm composting. Every teen has the opportunity to take home some "worm tea" which is a liquid fertilizer.

Interns!

This summer we have six interns working with Rural Resources. We have teens working in the office, with the rabbits, and at the Soup Kitchen with Mary Goldwin. Our interns will be very busy with summer! 

First Little Sprouts

Here we have this week's Farm Day Campers. We are in for some eventful weeks and the spots have been filling up quick! We caught them under the Rotary Pavilion after having a wonderful time in the creek. Summer is kicking off to a great start with this bunch!