AGRICULTURAL FELLOW FOR CARPINTERIA HIGH SCHOOL
A Contract with the Carpinteria Unified School District
($50,000 per year for two years)
March 2009
BACKGROUND
Carpinteria High School (CHS) has established an Agricultural Science and Technology Academy
(ASTA) that provides students with training for a viable career path in agriculture, animal
sciences and horticulture. ASTA promotes supervised agricultural projects that are conducted in
the school’s gardens, horticultural greenhouses, welding shops and livestock facilities. In
addition to these facilities, the school has set aside a one-acre plot of land with the intention of
growing row crops and fruit trees. Fruits and vegetables produced on this plot will be used to
prepare school meals, as well as to provide fresh produce for the high school’s culinary arts
education program.
CHS is working in partnership with the Orfalea Foundations’ s’Cool Food Initiative
(http://www.scoolfood.org ) to implement significant infrastructural, attitudinal and
educational changes to promote more healthful scratch cooking for school meals. Recognizing
the immense learning, logistical and financial advantages of growing crops directly on CHS
grounds, CHS and s’Cool Food are working together to create a position that will help develop
an on-campus “plant-to-plate, vertically integrated food system” that will serve as a model for
other school districts.
CHS seeks a farmer experienced in sustainable growing methods to serve as an Agricultural
Fellow (Ag Fellow). The Ag Fellow will oversee planning, planting, maintenance and
harvesting of the one-acre plot at CHS, and will serve as mentor, advisor and educator for a
CHS Ag Assistant for two years. The Ag Fellow will also work closely with ASTA teachers, as
well as with the Food Services Supervisor, to generate a planting plan that addresses both the
educational and cooking needs of the school, as well as the site’s ecological conditions.
The Ag Fellow is a two-year contract position of the Carpinteria Unified School District (CUSD).
The Ag Fellow will be supervised by the CUSD Superintendent. The District is currently
accepting resumes of interested parties. These can be submitted to: Paul Cordeiro,
Superintendent, 1400 Linden Avenue, Carpinteria, CA 93013 or by email at
pcordeiro@cusd.net. For information call Paul Cordeiro at 805 684-4511.
DELIVERABLES
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Oversee planning, planting and harvesting for one-acre plot, utilizing organic,
sustainable farming methods that include Integrated Pest Management, composting,
and vermiculture.
Train and manage the CHS Ag Assistant in creating and maintaining the farm plot.
Integrate the needs of the ASTA education program, the culinary arts program and food
services in the planting and harvesting plan.
Develop five-year plan for planting and harvesting (including rotation and cover crops),
infrastructure (e.g. nursery, sheds, irrigation, small and large equipment) and material
(e.g. topsoil, compost, seeds) needs to maintain the farm.
Oversee acquisition of materials for start-up in Year One (April/May 2009).
Work with ASTA teacher to integrate experiential learning lessons using the farm plot.
Work with the CHS Ag Assistant and ASTA educators, to develop farming manual to
enable maintenance and care of the plot in future years.
In collaboration with the school Superintendent, prepare a written final report of
successes, challenges and other relevant experiences related to the implementation of
this project.
QUALIFICATIONS
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At least five years’ experience managing a farm of significant size (two acres or more)
using sustainable, and/or organic growing methods.
Formal training at an accredited agricultural sciences college or university.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to transfer knowledge.
Strong motivation to work towards sustainable agricultural and food systems change
that integrates systems-level thinking and minimization of ecological footprint.
Experience with the local Santa Barbara farming community, and working knowledge of
suppliers.
(Desired) experience in working with and high school age students.
(Desired) fluency in Spanish.