PLATTE COUNTY – The mission of the grassroots movement, Wyoming Food Coalition is to put all Wyoming food producers on the same page with a unified and practical way to not only be more profitable, but more productive. Locally.

The hope is to keep Wyoming dollars in Wyoming rather than having to spend exorbitant shipping and processing costs out of state. People in Wyoming are also beginning to become more conscious of the need to know where their food is coming from and how fresh it really is.

The tag line is WY Food Matters, putting an emphasis on growing, producing and selling some of the best product in the United States and making people realize it comes from your own Wyoming backyard so to speak.

Although the coalition is relatively new, each year it brings in new VISTAs (Volunteers in service to America) to help with the project and the cause. This year, the coalition is looking for its next VISTA who can help move the project forward.

The Wyoming Food Coalition is searching for an AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer to support their efforts to increase the production and consumption of fresh Wyoming foods while extending access to people living with food insecurity.

AmeriCorps VISTA members serve full time (approximately 40 hours/week) for one full year at a community organization (nonprofit, college/university, local government office, etc.) and work on projects that build the capacity of their organization. This position offers:

• On-site training

• National service experience

• Living allowance $513.94 paid biweekly

• Health coverage

• Relocation allowance

• End of service Segal Education Award $6,345 or cash stipend $1,800.

• A benefit after completion is that you would have noncompetitive eligibility in the federal hiring system.

The term of service is estimated to be June 7, 2021, to June 7, 2022, which is negotiable.

Sponsoring organization: Wyoming Food Coalition

Project name: Furthering the Resiliency of Wyoming’s Local Food System

Goal of the project: To promote, support and expand the production, access and consumption of fresh, local food in Wyoming with an emphasis on people living in poverty, vulnerable populations and the geographically isolated.

Objective 1: Support the
Wyoming Food Coalition.

• Provide administrative and logistical support to the WFC Board of Directors, such as event organizing meetings, taking and/or distributing minutes, and organizing events.

• Facilitate collaboration amongst local food-related individuals, organizations and businesses by sharing information, events and services, and assist with developing the WFC’s strategic communications plan.

• Identify and recruit individuals and entities to the WFC to be members or to provide that support local food production and/or consumption.

• Support fundraising efforts through information and data collection for grant funding and reporting.

Objective 2: Support the implementation of the WFC strategic plan.

• Facilitate the development and implementation of management plans for the WFC working groups.

• Assist in evaluating how the activities of the WFC Board of Directors and working groups match the strategic plan. 

Objective 3: Facilitate local food, agriculture and nutrition education through the efforts of
WFC working groups.

• The Vibrant Producers working group supports the development of local farmers and ranchers, such as feasibility surveys and evaluation of technical assistance and infrastructure.

• The Fairness & Justice and Healthy People working groups work toward equitable access to nutritious, local food by all Wyoming residents regardless of income or location.

• The Strong Indigenous Community working group is aimed at increasing local food production and access for Wind River Indian Reservation communities.

• The Sustainable Ecosystems working group is aimed at developing regenerative agriculture, such as through the Healthy Soils Initiative.

• The Policy working group supports the development of local food and agriculture policies at the community, county and state levels, such as adaptations to the Wyoming Food Freedom Act.

• The Strategic Communications working group leads public outreach and local food education efforts and is developing a comprehensive communication and outreach plan.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree required; experience in local food production, community development, resilient food systems, and food and agriculture policy a plus.

Desired Skills:

• Project management.

• Excellent relationship building, communication, and public speaking skills.

• Self-directed and able to work independently.

• Ability to work respectfully among individuals of diverse cultures and backgrounds.

• Ability to foster and maintain a spirit of camaraderie and collaboration among stakeholders.

Please let your contacts know, including colleagues, students, and partners. The position will likely be based in Lander but could also be based in Laramie. The job description and details are at https://wyfoodcoalition.org/join-our-team-americorps-vista/

VISTA volunteers serve full time for a year, receiving a biweekly living allowance of $514, plus health coverage, sick/vacation days, a relocation allowance and an end-of-service award. The Lander location offers subsidized housing.
Please apply by the end of April. Send inquiries and expressions of interest to Cole Ehmke at cehmke@uwyo.edu or 307-766-3782.

You can learn more about the Wyoming Food Coalition website for more information, wyfoodcoalition.org.