Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture is dedicated to creating a more equitable and sustainable food system and culture in the Washington, DC area and a collaborative space for the many local efforts and initiatives around better food. Our mission is to improve the health of our community, the viability of local farmers, and preserve our environment for future generations by combining education about healthy food and its sources with better logistical connections between local farmers and the urban and suburban core of the region. 

Learn more at http://arcadiafood.org/ and http://arcadiafood.blogspot.com/

 Field Trip Guide Job Description

Overview: We’re looking for Guides for Arcadia’s spring Field Trip program. Guides will be primarily responsible for elementary age groups and leading them through a series of educational stations at our Hilltop garden site on the grounds of Woodlawn, a National Trust Historic Site, in Alexandria, VA. 

Through Arcadia’s Field Trip program, we seek to connect children to where their food comes from, the science behind what makes healthy soil, what makes up a plant, and much more! Our goal is to play an integral part in bridging the gap between local food systems and our surrounding elementary schools.

You will be trained in the skills necessary to be part of the Farm Education team. 

Reports to: On-Farm Education Manager (Field Trip Director/Lead), Shelby Hintz

Hours: Start date is March 28th, 2024 and end date is May 31st, 2024. Part-time, seasonal for approximately 8 weeks. There are varying hours for Training and the Field Trips. Dates and hours are as follows: 

• Guide Training: March 28th and 29th. 9:00am-12:00am. 
• Hours on scheduled days: 9:00am-1:00pm 
• Note: Total Hours are dependent on the number of Field Trips scheduled; hours are estimated. Field Trips will occur on Thursdays and Fridays.

Compensation: $17 per hour 

Location: Arcadia Farm at: 9000 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22309 

• 35-45 minutes from DC, 30 minutes from Arlington
• Accessible by bus from Old Town, Alexandria, 30 minutes 
• Not metro accessible 
• We highly suggest getting to Arcadia Farm by car/private transportation 

Responsibilities: 

▪ Implement curriculum-based exploration of Arcadia Farm. 

▪ Lead elementary school aged groups of about 15 students. 

▪ Lead programmatic discussions, activities, and demonstrations. 

▪ Effectively supervise, manage, and educate students. 

▪ Help with set-up and clean-up of the garden site.

▪ Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications: 

▪ Experience working with children is desired; 

▪ An enthusiasm for sustainable agriculture and the environment; 

▪ A passion for inspiring discovery and fun on the farm for children; 

▪ A willingness to get dirty, work with animals, and work in the garden; 

▪ Excellent communication and organizational skills; 

▪ An ability to work independently and carry out farm-based lesson plans; 

Required for hire:

▪ Must undergo a background check; 

▪ Must be at least 18 years old; 
 

Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture is dedicated to creating a more equitable and sustainable food system and culture in the Washington, DC area and a collaborative space for the many local efforts and initiatives around better food. Our mission is to improve the health of our community, the viability of local farmers, and preserve our environment for future generations by combining education about healthy food and its sources with better logistical connections between local farmers and the urban and suburban core of the region. 

Learn more at http://arcadiafood.org/ and http://arcadiafood.blogspot.com/