What do you get when you cross Native American lore, mutualistic relationships and farming? A Three Sister’s Garden!

Bring the kids down for an afternoon of storytelling, sowing seed and fun! You get to bring home your very own Three Sister’s Garden to watch and learn how these siblings get along.

Spring Hike
May 23, from 5:30-7:00pm
All are welcome!

What’s coming out of the ground? Can you spot the intruders?

Join us at the farm for a spring Walk-N-Talk and see what native plants are emerging from the ground and, how they need to fight for their rightful place among the dreaded invasive plant species.

Freshwater Fishing
May 31, from 5:30pm-when we catch some fish!
Recommended ages: 7-12

Lets discover the common freshwater fish species in our area!

We’ll learn about anatomy, habits and life cycles of our water loving friends. We will also make a minimalist’s fishing pole and learn some basic fishing techniques and see what we can catch at a local pond minutes away from the farm. We will meet at the farm and drive over to the pond, caravan style, so be prompt! Fish On!

Email us at educator@boulderknollfarm.com to RSVP to any of our upcoming free educational workshops.

Boulder Knoll Community Farm, Cheshire, CT

Boulder Knoll Community Farm(BKCF) is a small-scale, environmentally sustainable farm in Cheshire, CT that provides healthy, local vegetables and fruit to 65 shareholders, local soup kitchens, and a New Haven restaurant.  Education is a central component and an essential element in the vision of the Friends of Boulder Knoll (FOBK), the farm’s sponsoring organization. Our goal is to emphasize essential links between people, plants, and the earth, to develop interdisciplinary learning, and to promote environmental responsibility.

The Environmental Educator(EE)/Harvest Manager (HM) will be anenergetic, well-organized environmentalist with experience in farming and education who will provide a variety of educational opportunities, at the farm and off-site when appropriate. The EE/HM will assist the farmer in the overall operation of the farm including managing all aspects of the weekly CSA share distribution.

The EE/HM will work with the farmer to develop programs that provide hands-on experiences for children, youth and adults, including people with special needs. Programs will enable people to understand where their food comes from, what it takes to get it there and the importance of eating healthy, whole foods.

Job Description

The EE /HM will support the mission of the farm by providing assistance in the farm operation and by working with CSA members, and volunteers to enhance educational opportunities at all levels.

The EE/HM will design, publicize and implement a variety of educational programs for children, youth and adults. Lessons may cover topics ranging from sustainable agriculture, food preparation, to wildlife habitat. Programming may include, but is not limited to, fall and spring school programs, field trips, community groups (youth and adult), community events, adult classes, and summer programs on the farm. The EE/ HM will create an educational space, prepare / and purchase needed educational materials (budget provided). The farmer must approve the content and timing of educational programming.

The EE/ HM will assume responsibility for harvest and share distribution. Responsibilities will include communicating with share holders, outside suppliers, member work coordinators, and harvesters to assure that each CSA member is getting a share out that is of excellent product quality and quantity and has a positive pick- up experience.  The EE/HM will model good harvesting, prep, washing, display , clean- up techniques. He/she will respond to CSA sharers’ needs in terms of pick-up times and changes.

The EE/HM will work collaboratively with the farmer and will report to the FOBK Board. The EE/HM will communicate periodically with the board regarding activities and success of the programs and will submit a written annual report on the educational program.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate experience and basic theoretical knowledge in organic and sustainable farming, and ideally will have worked an entire season on a CSA farm or garden project. This is a position for someone seriously interested in sustainable farming, food, and community education. We offer the opportunity to be integrally involved in a small organic farming operation and in farm education. There is the potential for a successful individual to assume the farm manager position in 2014.

Specific skills include, but are not mandated:

• Excellent work ethic and communication skills;
• Background in Environmental Science, Agriculture, Education or related field;
• Willingness to teach and learn sustainable growing techniques
• Demonstrated experience in working in formal and/or informal education programs including working with people with special needs;
• Experience educating in an outdoor setting; create an educational space, prepare / and purchase needed educational materials (budget provided);
• Demonstrated ability to get along and communicate with all ages;
• Familiarity with farming and farm-based education;
• Ability to assist with physical and organizational farm tasks;
• Ability to think strategically about the weekly harvest and balance the needs of the farm, CSA members and food donation recipients;
• Ability to think strategically and creatively to enhance FOBK and BKCF while following the leadership of the farmer;
• First aid /CPR certified or willingness to obtain the training;
• Well organized, flexible, with an ability to take initiative and adapt to new situations.

Hours and Compensation:

The EE/HM position is seasonal, 34 weeks, April through November. In general the EE/HM is expected to work an average of 24 hours/week, to be allocated as follows:

12 hours/week – EE:  see description above

12 hours/week – HM: April/ May – assist farmer in a variety of tasks including planting, cultivation, bed preparation and weeding  (2 six hour days requested)

June – October – Assume responsibility for harvest and share distribution on Saturday.

Some work is required on evenings and weekends, depending on timing of educational programs and harvest/ share out. Attendance at occasional FOBK board meetings will be expected with prior notice.

The EE/HM will work for the Friends of Boulder Knoll as an independent contractor. Worker’s compensation will be provided. The position offers no benefits, and no taxes will be withheld.

Salary range: $12,000- $15,000 depending on experience, hours worked and documented. The position requires a full season commitment.

Thank you for your interest. The position has been filled.

When: Friday, Oct 5th, 6 pm until 9 pm (or whenever)

What: Bring a dish to share (to feed about 8 people) and a good appetite. Main dishes, side dishes, salads, desserts are welcome. ( fyi: We don’t have any way to heat them up.) Beer and wine too!

We’re also hosting a stuff give-away. If you have a decent item (or 2 or 3!) that you’d like to re-home please bring it to the celebration. Anyone is welcome to bring items or adopt items. No money, no hassle, just a way of finding a good home for something that you don’t need anymore. You just need to take your item back if no one claims it. Put your name on the item somewhere so interested people can talk to you. If you have perennial plant divisions to give away, please bring those too.

Our short and sweet annual meeting includes a short report about the CSA and the education work at the farm, and then the members confirm the selection of new Board members and officers.

Where: Bob Giddings’ barn at the top of the hill overlooking the farm. Park at the farm or in Bob’s yard. Look for the signs.

In this workshop we’ll discuss the role of birds in the environment and then assemble one birdhouse per child.  The houses will be kits that will have previously been fabricated by our own Environmental Educator. Due to the nature of this workshop, we ask that you register for this event in advance so that the proper number of assemblies can be fabricated.  Walk in will only witness the event. Free event but please RSVP!

1-3pm, Saturday, July 28^st
Organic Gardening:  Beyond the Basics (Teens and adults only please!)

Building on Organic Vegetable Gardening for Beginners this workshop goes beyond the basics of organic gardening.   We’ll discuss lead in our soils, taking soil samples, succession planting, companion planting, crop rotation, cover crops, etc.  Free event but please RSVP!

Here’s the Patch’s article about our event: http://cheshire.patch.com/articles/farm-dinner-beats-the-heat

And the New Haven Register wrote a great article beforehand: http://nhregister.com/articles/2012/07/08/news/metro/doc4ffa47e24849f059239278.txt

Community farm in Cheshire in the market for members, money
Luther Turmelle, New Haven Register, July 9, 2012

CHESHIRE — Now in its fourth growing season, the Boulder Knoll Community Farm is continuing to expand its membership in much the same way it grows its vegetables: organically. Read more ->

• Bald Eagle Nest Cam
• Hummingbird Nest Cam
• Hartford, CT Peregrine Falcon Nest Cam – Traveler’s Tower

Upcoming Events at Boulder Knoll Community Farm!

Free events and workshops at a local farm and natural area.
All activities take place outdoors. Please dress appropriately!