Background:  The New Roots program at the IRC supports culturally appropriate health and nutrition among refugees and helps aid in refugee transition to the Charlottesville community through gardening opportunities, health and wellness education and agricultural micro-enterprise.

Scope of Work: Do you love gardening and people? Are you interested in creating beautiful spaces for New Americans to enjoy? To you want to make friends from around the world and help families’ access garden space in Charlottesville? This is the opportunity for you! The New Roots Garden Steward works with the New Roots team to help maintain the common projects at IRC and partner gardens, and to be a friend and helpful presence to the refugee gardeners. The Garden Steward will “adopt” a garden for a full growing season and provide stewardship and knowledge to the site and people that interact with it.

There is room for a lot of creativity in this volunteer position. The Garden Steward will help repair fencing, maintain community beds, engage refugee gardeners and help them answer questions, assist the New Roots Land Operations and Education Supervisor with monthly meetings and workshops, and be a first line of communication between gardeners and the IRC when needed. This person needs to be friendly, kind, self-directed, know about gardening and like working outside, and be curious and social.

Responsibilities:

  • Attend volunteer orientation
  • Meet the families at the garden you adopt
  • Receive support and resources from IRC staff
  • Help to maintain and support the gardens as beautiful, healing and friendly spaces
  • Engage new gardeners in activities or help them learn if desired
  • Advise and help execute maintenance of other special projects
  • Attend occasional group workdays
  • Help organize and host regular monthly garden check-ins at IRC and partner gardens
  • Establish regular “office hours” in each of the garden locations to answer technical questions as needed
  • Assist with end of year surveys
  • Do other fun things we haven’t even thought of
  • Have your own garden plot (if desired/available)

Qualifications:

  • An experienced gardener and comfortable wielding a saw, hammer, or drill for the occasional light carpentry project
  • Excited to get your hands dirty and work outdoors
  • Friendly and comfortable meeting new people; multicultural experience a plus!
  • Reliable, responsible, punctual and professional
  • Fluent in English, Bilingual skills a plus
  • Valid driver’s license, and access to reliable transportation required

How to Apply: Complete a Volunteer Application online. Note: Please upload a resume or CV at the bottom of the application. Once your submission has been received and reviewed, you will be contacted about attending an upcoming volunteer orientation.

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4th Street Garden in Charlottesville.
Photo: Elizabeth Moore/IRC