gardening/farming

In Partnership with the Confluence Environmental Center, the Community Orchards Coordinator (COC) will enhance the capacity and impact of Portland Fruit Tree Project's Community Orchards program. In collaboration with volunteers, partners and staff, the COC will plan and facilitate Community Orchard events, providing learning opportunities for participants while maintaining and improving the orchards. The COC will conduct outreach to recruit diverse participants and partners, and will build volunteer leadership for each orchard site. Additionally, the COC will establish a new partnership to begin developing a new community orchard in outer East Portland. This position will build on the successes of previous AmeriCorps members. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (to include, but not limited to): 
? Coordinate tree care, site maintenance, and educational events at Sabin Community Orchard and Fruits of Diversity 
Community Orchard, in collaboration with partners and lead volunteers. 
? Coordinate harvesting at orchard sites and fruit distribution 
o Conduct pre-harvest site visits and fruit assessments 
o Co-lead harvesting events, coordinate logistics and materials. 
o Distribute fruit to people in need through food pantries and other partners 
? Coordinate Tree Care Team (TCT) at Green Thumb Community Orchard: 
o Recruit volunteers, and conduct orientation for TCT members and TCT leaders 
o Support team in performing ten tree care sessions throughout the 2015 season 
o Coordinate logistics, communications, and materials/tools 
? Conduct outreach to engage diverse program participants 
? Coordinate and support volunteers in leadership roles: 
o Recruit, train & support lead volunteers for community orchards and tree care teams 
o Convene and facilitate leadership team meetings 
? Support partners growing fruit trees through Community Orchard Affiliate program 
? Continue the development of new Community Orchard partnership in East Portland 
o Facilitate community planning sessions 
o Recruit participants 
o Begin to plan and implement planting, maintenance and educational activities (in collaboration with 
volunteers and partners) 
? Secure project materials as needed 
? Maintain tracking/information systems and administer participant surveys 
? Assist with program reports and program evaluation ? Complete and submit all necessary Confluence/AmeriCorps paperwork and reports in a timely manner. 
? Attend and complete all Confluence/AmeriCorps training and service requirements including orientation, training's, 
team meetings and national service days. 
? Wear Confluence uniform and/or appropriate identifiers and required safety gear while performing service or 
attending official events. 

Do you love to volunteer in the community?
Do you need to fulfill your culminating service project time to graduate?
Looking for a cool way to hang out with your friends?
Do you want to save the environment?
Do you want to build your college and work resume?

If you said YES to any of these questions than you should join us for Youth Service Day's. This monthly volunteer service event invites youth from around Clark County to help the community and earn service time and just give back to the Vancouver because it feels good!

When you ask?  The last Thursday of just about every month!

Projects will vary each month but you can expect to pull English Ivy in parks, plant trees along Burnt Bridge Creek, clean headstones at cemeteries and so much more.  Plus you can plan to have a ton of fun! 

Contact Chante Starr regarding this program, chante.starr@cityofvancouver.us or 360.487.8611

Follow us on Facebook to find out about monthly meeting locations.

Tweet us @goplayvancouver     #vancouvervolunTEEN

Join the Sauvie Island Center as we celebrate these hard working friends of the farm and learn about pollination. What role does pollination play in the food web? Why does clover honey taste different than wildflower honey? What kinds of insects and animals facilitate the pollination process?  All these questions and more will be answered when you attend Pollination Celebration on Saturday, June 21st from 10 am to noon at Howell Territorial Park on Sauvie Island.   A donation of $10 per family is requested to help offset costs associated with the event. 

Spring Pest & Disease Management/Fruit Thinning
Tuesday May 20th, 5:30pm-8:30pm
SE Portland, Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhoood

In this hands-on workshop you will learn the basics of springtime pest and disease assessment and fruit thinning to increase the health and abundance of local fruit trees! This fun workshop will be an opportunity to gain a basic understanding of the different types of pests and diseases commonly found in the Portland area as well as the importance and how-to of fruit thinning. If you have samples of pest and/or disease affected fruit, leaves, or twigs - please bring them to the workshop in a sealed container so we can try to ID them.

About the instructor:

Heidi Noordijk studied horticulture at Michigan State University and Cornell University - specializing in pomology (tree fruits). Heidi has participated in research projects involving apple tree physiology, berry production, and tree fruit entomology. Heidi has also worked on various orchards and farms in the PNW and east coast.Heidi currently works for OSU's Small Farms program.

The location address and other details will be provided after you register.

To register for this event:

http://civi.portlandfruit.org/civicrm/event/register?id=982&reset=1