Position Description
This is an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) position. To learn more about AmeriCorps VISTAs, please visit www.americorps.gov. To apply for this position, visit https://americorps.gov/join. 

The goal of this position is to:
Increase the effectiveness of Appalachian Sustainable Development’s Agriculture Education programming. The Agriculture Education Capacity Building VISTA will build capacity by ensuring the specific needs of the community are being met and improving project sustainability through sustainable volunteer management.

Program (Project) Summary
Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) is a non-profit that’s been supporting local agriculture since 1995. From the beginning, ASD has been assisting agriculture producers of all skill levels by offering various educational opportunities, resources, and technical assistance. The Agriculture Education team teaches small to tall people how to grow their own food as they navigate the Producer Pathway and participate in programs based on their individual learning goals, whether it be providing fresh food for their families or growing a successful farm business.

Objective of the Assignment  
Ensure Agriculture Education programming is meeting the needs of the community it serves 

• Member Activity: Identify target audiences for agriculture education (e.g. youth, beginning farmers)
  • Research regional demographics and compile information relevant to low-income, at-risk, underserved communities
  • Analyze research to determine potential impact of agriculture education programs on breaking the cycle of poverty
• Member Activity: Facilitate a regional Farm to School team to share best practices, connect projects, distribute curriculum, and develop sustainability plans
  • Conduct programmatic needs assessments to support strategic planning process
  • Build a regional Farm to School listserv
  • Electronically distribute relevant material such as funding opportunities, seasonally appropriate garden tasks, and upcoming programmatic deadlines
• Member Activity: Ensure collaboration with the Faith in Action Community Garden team
  • Participate in garden events and activities
• Member Activity: Conduct on-farm site visits with beginning gardeners interested in transitioning to income-producing market gardening
  • Develop site visit protocol to record relevant qualitative and quantitative data
  • Identify experts and community partners qualified to assist with the needs of individual transitioning market gardeners
  • Develop pre- and post- participation survey to measure effectiveness of program

Objective of the Assignment 
Build program capacity in conjunction with other ASD staff and AmeriCorps members by developing a sustainable volunteer base to support and expand agriculture education programming.

• Member Activity: Compile and update a functional database of volunteers and community partners
  • Connect with current and past community members and site partners
  • Capture relevant metrics (i.e. location, skills, interest, capacity, etc.)
• Member Activity: Recruit and maintain a sustainable volunteer base
  • Develop and pilot a volunteer retention policy
  • Explore and recruit from untapped volunteer pools
  • Schedule, facilitate, and develop protocol for volunteer events such as seed sorting events, community garden open hours, and dedicated garden clean ups
• Member Activity: Develop opportunities for community members to become community leaders (Ex: adopting community garden maintenance, organizing fundraising events, scheduling volunteer work days, etc.)

Supervision
This position reports to the Agriculture Education Program Manager but may also be expected to work closely with other ASD employees, and with limited daily supervision. 

Location
Abingdon/Bristol, Virginia, with occasional travel to Duffield, Virginia

Hours
Full time – 35 hours per week, option available for four-day work week.

Position Description
This is an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) position. To learn more about AmeriCorps VISTAs, please visit www.americorps.gov. To apply for this position, visit https://americorps.gov/join. 

The goal of this position is to:
To increase the effectiveness of Appalachian Sustainable Development’s Agriculture Education programming. The Agriculture Education Marketing VISTA will build capacity by increasing program awareness and improving project sustainability through diversified funding streams. 

Program (Project) Summary
Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) is a non-profit that’s been supporting local agriculture since 1995. From the beginning, ASD has been assisting agriculture producers of all skill levels by offering various educational opportunities, resources, and technical assistance. The Agriculture Education team teaches small to tall people how to grow their own food as they navigate the Producer Pathway and participate in programs based on their individual learning goals, whether it be providing fresh food for their families or growing a successful farm business.

Objective of the Assignment  
Increase awareness of and participation in available programming by developing and adhering to a strategic agriculture education outreach and recruitment plan.

• Member Activity: Develop and adhere to a strategic annual and replicable agriculture education outreach plan.
  • Research best practices associated with developing and releasing promotional content for programming;
  • Create strategically timed press releases, quarterly newsletters, monthly blog posts, and targeted social media content (ongoing)
• Member Activity: Support virtual and in-person agriculture education outreach and recruitment initiatives
  • Develop protocol for regional outreach opportunities to include relevant checklists, budgets, volunteer pools, etc.
  • Coordinate with other ASD programs, staff, AmeriCorps members, and regional community partners to emphasize and promote connections within the Producer Pathway.
  • Assist with coordination of agricultural education program recruitment and execution

Objective of the Assignment 
Assist in developing a sustainable long-term funding strategy for Agriculture Education Programming.

• Member Activity: Assist in the preparation of funding opportunities (grant applications, donation requests, letters of inquiry, etc.) to support long term programming and projects addressing immediate program needs (ongoing)
• Member Activity: Assist in the management of grant reporting by developing metric-tracking tools adaptable to programmatic goals, grants goals, and organizational goals (ongoing; as appropriate)
• Member Activity: Develop protocol for the execution of program-specific replicable fundraising events or campaigns (by 5/15/2023)

Supervision
This position reports to the Director of Agriculture Education but, may also be expected to work closely with other ASD employees, and with limited daily supervision. 

Location
Abingdon/Bristol, Virginia, with occasional travel to Tazewell and Buchanan counties and Duffield, Virginia

Hours
Full time – 35 hours per week, option available for four-day work week.

We need more Appalachian Harvest Drivers 

ASD’s Appalachian Harvest Food Hub in Duffield, VA provides support, training, aggregation and distribution support to markets for regional farmers.  Since 2000, farmers have sold more than $16 million dollars of fruits and vegetables to wholesale retailers. 

All drivers must have:

• 2 years over the road experience
• Hold a Class A CDL
• Ability to pass required drug screen
• A good driving record

Contact Gina Bishop for more details:
Phone: (276)431-3385
Email: gbishop@asdevelop.org

MARKETING CONSULTANT (BEEF PROGRAM)
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) is inviting proposals for marketing consulting services as detailed below. ASD will make a final selection based on the proposal which best meets the specifications and our needs, price and other factors. We are not limited, unless otherwise noted, to making our selection based only on the lowest-priced proposal. Please review these criteria carefully and include information in your proposal as appropriate. ASD reserves the right to ask for revised proposals from any or all companies submitting proposals if major revisions in the basic specifications become mandatory. 

Services Description 
ASD is seeking marketing consultant services to help develop a comprehensive marketing plan and materials for promoting locally produced meat products. We request the project to include a brand marketing campaign and strategy for the newly developed local beef program for wholesale buyers with consumer facing collateral for the Appalachian Harvest Food Hub located in Duffield, Virginia. 

Background – Appalachian Harvest Food Hub 
Founded in 2000, Appalachian Harvest is Appalachian Sustainable Development’s rural food hub. Following the federal deregulation of tobacco production, many local farmers found their incomes drastically reduced and wanted alternative crops to capitalize on their experience and existing resources. Our food hub assisted growers by transitioning them from tobacco to produce, allowing them to remain on their family farms. 

Our team works shoulder to shoulder with small to medium-scale local farmers, helping them get their goods to market. We provide GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certification training, assist with organic certifications, and provide them with much-needed, year-round technical support. Our team also secures retail orders from various wholesale markets and provides aggregation and distribution of locally grown produce from Maryland to Georgia. We have a tremendous site opportunity to expand our offerings with the Department of Education, provided we can accomplish compliant on-site processing and packaging of food items for the school systems. 

The 22-year-old Appalachian Harvest Food Hub, utilizes efficient aggregation and distribution systems to access large urban grocery store distribution centers that pay a premium for locally and regionally sourced produce (i.e. $3MM annual sales). Adding meat as a product offering at AH will facilitate regional food chain coordination and allow us to develop a mid-tier value chain for meat products. The selected consultant will be provided with access to the project leadership to provide further context for this work.

Business Consulting Needs

The maximum budget for this project is $13,000. As a funding requirement, we will be hiring through an open and free competitive negotiation process. It is our intention to fully consider and evaluate each proposal submitted. Invoices can be submitted as each agreed upon milestone is complete. The final invoice must be submitted on or before August 1, 2023. 

Evaluation Criteria and Relative Importance 
Value System 1 to 4: 1 = Most important 
(No more than three criteria shall be rated 1; two or more criteria must be rated 2 or 3) 

1. On-time completion dates: 1 
2. Price of services offered and materials needed: 1 
3. Expertise and relevant experience in chosen field: 1 
4. References from previous clients: 3 
5. Examples from portfolio: 2 

Please review these criteria carefully and include information in your proposal, as appropriate. All proposals should also include: 

1. the phone number and email address of the primary contact person 
2. itemized price quote for costs associated with all consulting activities 
3. samples of prior work 

Opportunity for this bid will be shared with a minimum of 3 marketing consultants by November 30, 2022 and ASD will accept bids until January 20, 2023 @ 5:00 PM. A bidder will be selected and announcements made to all bidders by no later than February 1st, 2023 @ 5:00 PM. All consulting activities must be completed by the completion dates specified. If more time is needed, alternative completion dates can be offered for negotiation. A mutual non-disclosure agreement will be required. 

Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to hearing from you. If you should have further questions, the contact person for this RFP is: 

Brittany Woodby/Regional Sales & Marketing 
Appalachian Harvest/Appalachian Sustainable Development 
Office: 276.431.3385 
Cell: 276.608.0995 
Email: bwoodby@asdvelop.org; avanover@asdevelop.org 

Proposals can be submitted electronically via email: to Brittany Woodby, or Angie Vanover; mail in hard copy form to Appalachian Harvest, Attention: Brittany Woodby, P.O. Box 475, Duffield, VA 24244, or submitted in hard copy form in person at 280 Boone Trail Road, Duffield, VA 24244. 

FLEET VEHICLE
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

Appalachian Sustainable Development (ASD) is inviting proposals for a new commercial box truck  as detailed below. ASD will make a final selection based on the proposal which best meets the specifications and our needs, price and other factors. We are not limited, unless otherwise noted, to making our selection based only on the lowest-priced proposal. Please review the criteria carefully and include information in your proposal as appropriate. ASD reserves the right to ask for revised proposals from any or all companies submitting proposals if major revisions in the basic specifications become mandatory.

Box Truck Description
ASD is seeking a Medium-Duty Box Truck with refrigeration unit to expand its current fleet for the Appalachian Harvest Food Hub located in Duffield, Virginia. Specification on page 2.

Background – Appalachian Harvest Food Hub
Founded in 2000, Appalachian Harvest is Appalachian Sustainable Development’s rural food hub. Following the federal deregulation of tobacco production, many local farmers found their incomes drastically reduced and wanted alternative crops to capitalize on their experience and existing resources. Our food hub assisted growers by transitioning them from tobacco to produce, allowing them to remain on their family farms.

Our team works shoulder to shoulder with small to medium-scale local farmers, helping them get their goods to market. We provide GAP (Good Agricultural Practices) certification training, assist with organic certifications, and provide them with much-needed, year-round technical support. Our team also secures retail orders from various wholesale markets and provides aggregation and distribution of locally grown produce from Maryland to Georgia.  We have a tremendous opportunity to expand our market delivery with the Department of Education, provided we can purchase another vehicle for delivering food items for the school systems.

The 22-year-old Appalachian Harvest Food Hub, utilizes efficient aggregation and distribution systems to access large urban grocery store distribution centers that pay a premium for locally and regionally sourced produce (i.e. $3MM annual sales). To reduce long-term impacts on small and medium farmers due to the unsettled and ever changing food safety requirements from large wholesale buyers ASD is seeking the addition of a Medium-Duty Box Truck with refrigeration unit to accommodate more rural communities in Southwest Virginia.

Medium-Duty Box Truck Specification

Budget
The budget for this project is $50,000 -$80,000. As a funding requirement, we will be purchasing through an open and free competitive negotiation process. It is our intention to fully consider and evaluate each proposal submitted.

Evaluation Criteria and Relative Importance
Value System 1 to 4: 1 = Most important
(No more than three criteria shall be rated 1; two or more criteria must be rated 2 or 3)

1. On-time completion dates:     2
2. Price of unit offered:  1
3. Location of Dealer in relation to communities ASD services:           4
4. Consumer Report Reviews on specific vehicle:         2
5. Lead time on for Delivery:     3
6. Location of  nearest factory authorized service:         2
7. Warranty Plan offered:           2

Please review the criteria carefully and include the below information in your proposal, as appropriate. All proposals should also include:

• the phone number and email address of the primary contact person
• itemized price quote with specifications for the unit on which your proposal is based on with any proposed options/alternatives properly identified and priced.
• lead time for delivery once vehicle is purchased

Opportunity for this bid will be shared with a minimum of 3 automotive dealers on July 1, 2022 and ASD will accept bids until July 7, 2022 @  5:00 PM. A bidder will be selected and announcements made to all bidders by no later than July 14, 2022 at 5:00 PM. If more time is needed, alternative completion dates can be offered for negotiation. A mutual non-disclosure agreement will be required.

Thank you for your consideration, and we look forward to hearing from you. If you should have further questions, the contact person for this RFP is:

Brittany Woodby / Regional Sales & Marketing Manager
Appalachian Harvest/Appalachian Sustainable Development
Office: 276.431.3385
Cell: 276.608-0995
Fax: 276-431-3485
Email: bwoodby@asdevelop.org  gbishop@asdevelop.org

Proposals can be submitted electronically via email: to Brittany Woodby and Gina Bishop; mail in hard copy form to Appalachian Harvest, Attention: Brittany Woodby  P.O. Box 475,  Duffield, VA 24244, or submitted in hard copy form in person at 280 Boone Trail Road, Duffield, VA 24244.

Appalachian Sustainable Development’s Groundwork workforce development program provides paid, on-the-job training combined with wraparound services that support personal and career growth. The program provides opportunities for job shadowing and internships, plus advanced education through college coursework or certifications, as well as training on essential skills, financial literacy, career development, and more.

Job Summary
Under management of the Groundwork manager, the Kitchen Supervisor will manage and coordinate all food operations, food preparation, and food service for the Groundwork food services pathway and its associated Social Enterprise located in Abingdon or Duffield, VA. The Kitchen Supervisor will provide independent leadership in the areas of food preparation and staff supervision, quality control, food safety and cleanliness, sustainability, food and supply ordering and requisitions and recordkeeping.

Duties and Responsibilities
Day-to-day work responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Train and evaluate the performance of Groundwork trainees working in one or more phases of a food service operation
• Assign, coordinate, and maintain workflow based on food production orders from customers
• Develop, train, and implement standards based on the following:
  1. Sanitation standards for equipment and workspace in accordance with federal and state regulations
• Requisition food and supplies 
• Ensure food quality
• Research, develop, and prepare menu items
• Develop menu items and research best packaging options for delivery
• Apply sustainability best practices to food operations (for example, composting food waste, using recyclable/recycled packaging materials) where possible
• Work with Social Enterprise Manager to develop business and implement profitable business model and practices 

Minimum Qualifications
Experience leading and managing a commercial kitchen. SERVSafe Manager’s certification is preferred.

Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of:

• Supervisory principles
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or statutes related to food service operations
• Food service operations and practices including food trucks
• Cash handling principles and practices
• Inventory management principles and practices
• Commercial food service equipment
• Menu planning and development principles
• Customer service principles
• Vendor management principles
• Basic budgeting principles
• Basic financial accounting principles
• Safety procedures
• Entrepreneurial principles and practices

Demonstrated Skill in:

• Supervising subordinate staff
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, rules, and regulations
• Monitoring and maintaining inventory
• Developing and planning menus
• Maintaining food service equipment
• Resolving conflict
• Developing, recommending, implementing, and monitoring policies, procedures, and workflow

A typical day in this position might include the following:

• Meet with trainees to prepare for the day’s activities, check in on attitudes, and set expectations
• Prepare the week’s to-do list and provide needed training
• Meet with Groundwork Program Manager to report on trainee progress or concerns
• Research and order supplies
• Schedule products for delivery
• Attend a meeting with other ASD employees to brainstorm new lines of business and program crossover opportunities

Supervision
This position reports to the Workforce Development Program Manager but is also expected to work closely with other ASD employees, and with limited daily supervision. This position will oversee the activities of a cohort of 4-6 trainees.

Location
Abingdon or Duffield, Virginia, with occasional travel to Bristol or Tazewell, Virginia

Salary
$36,000 – $40,000 depending on experience

Hours
Full time
Monday – Friday, 8:30 – 5:00 with occasional weekend or after hours on an as-needed basis

Requirements
Able to lift up to 50 pounds
Ability to set an example of healthy work behaviors
Ability to stand/be on feet for extended periods of time

Appalachian Sustainable Development’s Groundwork workforce development program provides paid, on-the-job training combined with wraparound services that support personal and career growth. The program provides opportunities for job shadowing and internships, in addition to advanced education through college coursework or certifications, as well as training on essential skills, financial literacy, career development, and more. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Day-to-day work responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Maintenance of a community garden and greenhouse (mowing, infrastructure repair, clean-up/organization)
• Using machinery and power tools (tiller, weed eater, mower, saws, drills)
• Taking and testing soil samples
• Crop planning with the Garden Supervisor
• Greenhouse planning and management
• Greenhouse and garden work (seed sowing, watering, transplanting, weeding)
• Using pesticides as needed and directed
• Developing a composting plan and system
• Learning and implementing irrigation systems, including drip tape & sprinkler
• Learning and implementing Good Agricultural Practices (G.A.P.)
• Harvesting produce and flowers
• Arranging cut flowers and other produce for sale
• Working in the garden and greenhouse social enterprise, which may include:
  • Business planning and management, including developing a brand and customer base
  • Direct marketing and sales
  • Entrepreneurship workshops
  • Leadership workshops
  • Packing orders and shipping (if applicable)
  • Loading and delivering produce
  • Participating in potential evening and weekend markets
  • Driving to and from different work sites

Certifications and Trainings

As part of this program, Associates will participate in the following trainings and/or earn the following certifications:

Please note:

As worksites and schedules may vary day-to-day, flexibility and patience are much appreciated. Reliable personal transportation is also preferred but not required. Applicants must be able to work outside in all weather conditions and must be able to lift up to 50 pounds.

All associates must wear closed-toe shoes or boots in the garden. 

The total cost of the Groundwork workforce development program is $1,028,751. $853,456 (83%) of this program is funded through the U.S. Department of Labor–Employment and Training Administration grant. $175,295 (17%) of this program is funded through an Appalachian Regional Commission—Sprouting Farms grant. The program receives $0 (0%) in non-federal funding. The Groundwork workforce development program is fully funded (100%) by federal grants.

Appalachian Sustainable Development’s Groundwork workforce development program provides paid, on-the-job training combined with wraparound services that support personal and career growth. The program provides opportunities for job shadowing and internships, in addition to advanced education through college coursework or certifications, as well as training on essential skills, financial literacy, career development, and more. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Day-to-day work responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Maintenance of a community garden and greenhouse (mowing, infrastructure repair, clean-up/organization)
• Using machinery and power tools (weed eater, mower, saws, drills, flame weeder, seeder, tiller)
• Taking and testing soil samples
• Crop planning with the Garden Supervisor
• Greenhouse/garden work (seed sowing, watering, transplanting, weeding)
• Using pesticides as needed and directed
• Developing a composting plan and system
• Learning and implementing irrigation systems, including drip tape and sprinkler
• Harvesting produce 
• Learning and implementing Good Agricultural Practices (G.A.P.)
• Learning foundational business, marketing, and entrepreneurial skills
• Working in the garden/greenhouse social enterprise, which may include:
  • Business planning and management, including developing a brand and customer base
  • Direct marketing and sales
  • Entrepreneurship workshops
  • Leadership workshops
  • Packing orders and shipping (if applicable)
  • Loading and delivering produce
  • Participating in potential evening and weekend markets
  • Driving to and from different work sites

Certifications and Trainings

As part of this program, employees will participate in the following trainings and/or earn the following certifications:

Please note:  All associates must wear closed-toe shoes or boots in the garden. 

Appalachian Sustainable Development’s Groundwork workforce development program provides paid, on-the-job training combined with wraparound services that support personal and career growth. The program provides opportunities for job shadowing and internships, plus advanced education through college coursework or certifications, as well as training on essential skills, financial literacy, career development, and more. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Day-to-day work responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Preparing and processing food orders 
• Maintaining cleanliness of all dishes, work stations, cooking equipment, and food storage areas in accordance with Federal and State food safety regulations.
• Assisting supervisor in researching and developing new menu items
• Sweeping and mopping floors, as required.
• Unloading deliveries
• Carrying deliveries of 50 or more pounds (on occasion)
• Storing ingredients according to prescribed food safety regulations
• Assisting with the monitoring of inventory
• Reporting all damaged or faulty equipment to the kitchen manager
• Recycling appropriate materials 
• Assisting with business planning and development, as possible .
• Some site visits 

Certifications and Trainings

As part of this program, employees will participate in the following trainings and/or earn the following certifications:

The total cost of the Groundwork workforce development program is $1,028,751. $853,456 (83%) of this program is funded through a U.S. Department of Labor–Employment and Training Administration grant. $175,295 (17%) of this program is funded through an Appalachian Regional Commission—Sprouting Farms grant. The program receives $0 (0%) in non-federal funding. The Groundwork workforce development program is fully funded (100%) by federal grants.

Appalachian Sustainable Development’s Groundwork workforce development program provides paid, on-the-job training combined with wraparound services that support personal and career growth. The program provides opportunities for job shadowing and internships, plus advanced education through college coursework or certifications, as well as training on essential skills, financial literacy, career development, and more.                                                                  

Duties and Responsibilities

Day-to-day work responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Loading and unloading products from trailers and the coolers
• Shrink wrapping loaded pallets to be shipped
• Fulfilling Practically Perfect, Food Box orders, and Value Added
• Distributing Food Boxes to individuals and organizations (customer service)
• Labeling pallets and boxes for accurate distribution
• Warehouse cleaning and light maintenance 
• Helping track all incoming and outgoing inventory
• Assisting herb producers with unloading, checking in and processing their roots and herbs
• Helping with the cleaning and sanitizing of equipment, drying racks and all herb processing and drying areas
• Checking on progress of drying herbs throughout process and taking actions as necessary
• Maintaining equipment as needed. 
• Assist with social enterprises as needed.

Associates will earn their Forklift Safety certification and OSHA 10-Hour Safety certification. 

Training on food safety and strict adherence to all food safety rules is required.

All Warehouse Associates must wash their hands before handling products, must wear gloves while handling products, must have hair pulled completely back away from face and off the shoulders or wear a hat while packing products.

The total cost of the Groundwork workforce development program is $1,028,751. $853,456 (83%) of this program is funded through a U.S. Department of Labor–Employment and Training Administration grant. $175,295 (17%) of this program is funded through an Appalachian Regional Commission—Sprouting Farms grant. The program receives $0 (0%) in non-federal funding. The Groundwork workforce development program is fully funded (100%) by federal grants.