AmeriCorps VISTA- Local Food Systems Coordinator Havre, MT

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Montana Campus Network for Civic Engagement (MCNCE) serves as the intermediary for this project. MCNCE is a coalition of colleges and universities dedicated to fostering civic engagement, service learning, and volunteerism across Montana. Led by CEOs from participating institutions, MCNCE works to improve community life and educate students on civic and social responsibility, preparing them to be thoughtful, compassionate, and engaged leaders.

Opportunity Link (OL), a non profit organization based out of Havre, MT that is committed to assisting 11 counties and 3 reservations, continues to assist the communities of Northcentral Montana achieve and sustain independence, prosperity and a better way of life. Opportunity Link is in a unique position to break down historically isolated silos of service and act as a resource broker between diverse communities, races, incomes and governments.

Our success stems from being able to contribute big picture strategic thinking along with ground level achievements as well as providing critical services as a collaborator, innovator and facilitator. Project will work in collaboration with Aaniih Nakoda College. The goal of this project is to increase the capacity of local food growers, producers, and traditional food systems of the Rocky Boy and Fort Belknap communities.

Ultimately, this project will break the cycle of poverty by increasing the viability of value-added food products as an economic opportunity for low income individuals.

The VISTA member will accomplish this goal by assessing barriers that prevent food producers from commercializing their products, and by developing a series of workshops to educate community members about producing local and traditional food products. After completing orientation, member will establish communication with project partners, and identify their role in the project. Community partners include local nonprofits, departments at Montana State University Northern, staff at Aaniiih Nakoda College, Stone Child College, and agricultural businesses.

Member will create a series of culturally appropriate workshops to promote the growing and production of local and traditional foods throughout the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy Reservations. This will include assembling training modules to convey these best practices that are based on their research and the identified needs. Member will work with community partners to increase the capacity of food producing operations and create an environment in which these activities can provide a stable source of income for local farmers.

Lastly members will work to increase awareness of food production as an economic opportunity in the broader community through awareness campaign.

Service Areas:

• Education
• Community Outreach
• Community and Economic Development
• Tribal

Skills:

• Fund raising/Grant Writing
• Computers/Technology
• Team Work
• Leadership
• Community Organization
• Writing/Editing
• Communications

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