About VINES & Our Community
We are seeking passionate, committed folks to join our team this year! VINES is a Binghamton, NY based organization committed to developing a just and sustainable food system through community gardening & urban agriculture. VINES’ programs serve a diverse population and we are committed to building a diverse staff to lead our programming and support our community.
Binghamton is an extremely affordable community to live in, has the benefits of an urban city center in close proximity to a beautiful rural landscape with a lot of outdoor activities, and was recently named “the fifth-best Northeast city to live in after the coronavirus pandemic”. Binghamton is home to Binghamton University and is located in the Southern Tier of New York, along the border of PA and is 3.5 hours to NYC, 1 hour to Syracuse & Ithaca, and 2.5 hours from Albany.
STAFF POSITIONS: none available at this time
INTERNSHIP POSITIONS: Apply by November 15th 2023 at noon
Urban Farm Internship
Spring 2024
Description: The Urban Farm Intern will assist in the day to day work required during the growing season on an urban farm built on formerly vacant lots in downtown Binghamton. Responsibilities include general garden and orchard care, working with community members and community partner organizations, and working with other VINES staff to ensure a successful growing season. The intern will learn how to do more complicated farm tasks such as soil fertility management, crop planning, and a diversity of other agricultural techniques. Ability to lift 50lbs required. To apply email cover letter and resume as one pdf to Cynthia Averett at cynthia@vinesgardens.org by November 15th at noon. Please include the position you are applying for in the title of the email.
Community Gardens Internship
Spring 2024
Description: The VINES Community Garden Intern will assist with the day to day organizing and management of VINES’ 22 different community gardens and also assist with planning and advertising VINES’ Green Thumb workshops. Duties include: outreach to community members of diverse backgrounds (via social media, phone calls, and flyering as-needed); Collecting, entering, and analyzing data; Transporting plants, tools, and materials to and from community garden sites; Assisting with educational workshops and garden work-day projects. Intern must be available occasional evenings and weekends. Reliable transportation and the ability to lift 50lbs preferred. To apply email cover letter and resume as one pdf to Cynthia Averett at cynthia@vinesgardens.org by November 15th at noon. Please include the position you are applying for in the title of the email.
AMERICORPS POSITIONS: Apply by November 29th
Urban Farm Assistant (Living Allowance Stipend & Education Award)*
February 2023 – November 2024: 900 hours total 25-30 hours/week
Description: The Rural Health Service Corps (RHSC) Urban Farm Assistant will help the Urban Farm Manager to implement a successful growing season. This includes all aspects of agricultural production and the supervision of volunteers and youth employees in this endeavor. The member’s service will be key to advancing the goals of both VINES and the Rural Health Service Corps program of combating food insecurity by increasing convenient access to healthy foods, and educating program participants on the production of fresh foods. The Urban Farm and Youth Program Assistant will help with day-to-day farm tasks, and also help to increase the growing area under production at the Binghamton Urban Farm, developing new systems for efficiency of production, data management, volunteer tracking and retention, and attend farmer’s markets.
Farm Share Program Assistant (Living Allowance Stipend & Education Award)*
February 2023 – November 2024: 675 hours total, 18-20 hours/week
Description: The Rural Health Service Corps Farm Share Program Assistant will assist the Farm Share Program Manager with the implementation of the Farm Share Program. This includes coordinating drop-off and pick-up times for shares from local farmers, distribution of shares to residents, and coordination of nutrition and cooking demonstrations at distribution sites. The Farm Share Program Assistant will also focus on the development and expansion of new and existing educational materials and work directly with members to understand how to identify, store, and prepare produce. The Farm Share Program Assistant will increase the number of individuals receiving support, services, education, and/or referrals to alleviate long-term hunger. The Farm Share Program Assistant will also focus on volunteer recruitment and retention.
Community Garden Assistant (Living Allowance Stipend & Education Award)*
February 2023 – November 2024: 900 hours total, 25-30 hours/week
Description: The Rural Health Service Corps (RHSC) Community Garden Assistant will assist with the development, maintenance, and expansion of community garden operations, which will include the initiation of the community composting program and systematic soil testing. Furthermore, they will help implement Green Thumb Educational Workshops. The member’s service will be key to advancing the goals of both VINES and the Rural Health Service Corps program of combating food insecurity by educating program participants on how to plant, care for, and harvest fresh fruits and vegetables in VINES’ network of approximately 20+ community gardens. The Community Garden Assistant will help build relationships with community gardeners and site coordinators to ensure that community members are receiving the information and materials they need to grow their own food and make changes in their health.
* VINES’ AmeriCorps positions are through the Rural Health Service Corps program. For more information and to apply for an AmeriCorps position with VINES, visit https://ruralhealthservicecorps.org/.