The Washington Youth Garden has an opening for a part-time Communications/Media intern.

We are seeking an energetic, creative individual with strong communication and social media skills to assist small staff with managing and advancing the organization’s communication systems.  The Communications/Media Intern will have the opportunity to work on a variety of communication projects involving website and blog maintenance, newsletter development and writing, coordinating presence on social media networks, communications database development and maintenance, writing articles and organizational communications, as well as assisting with programs and special events.

If you are interested please visit the Washington Youth Garden website for more information.

The Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture is looking for interns! Check out the position descriptions for the following gigs - Farm Educator Internship and Sustainable Farm Internship – and pass them along to interested folks.

Arcadia is a new non-profit organization serving the Washington, DC area. Arcadia’s programs raise awareness about healthy food and its sources, and establish innovative connections between sustainable local farms and consumers.   We’re a small staff, so we truly rely on great interns and volunteers to make our programs run and our farm grow.

The deadline for applications is January 9, 2012.

Next week will mark the first Food Day celebration with events occurring across the United States. According to the website FoodDay.org, Food Day “seeks to bring together Americans from all walks of life—parents, teachers, and students; health professionals, community organizers, and local officials; chefs, school lunch providers, and eaters of all stripes—to push for healthy, affordable food produced in a sustainable, humane way.”

It is a “people-powered” movement that provides the avenue for celebration, education and access to food and nutrition-centered events, cooking demonstrations, volunteer (and eating) opportunities. There are numerous events planned, taking place all across the Washington Metropolitan Area for you and your family to be involved in Food Day 2011. Please ask your local church, school, farmers’ market or town hall for more information about what will be going on in your area.

Another great place to go for resources is the Food Day website, FoodDay.org. Here you can search for events near your neighborhood, whether you live in Washington DC or outside the beltway. There are also resources for you to get an event started if you want to do something yourself. Take a moment to check out the website and see what will be happening near you!

The purpose of Food Day is to promote six central principles:

1. Reduce diet-related disease by promoting safe, healthy foods

2. Support sustainable farms and limit subsidies to big agribusiness

3. Expand access to food and alleviate hunger

4. Protect the environment and animals by reforming factory farms

5. Promote health by curbing junk-food marketing to kids

6. Support fair conditions for food and farm workers

(for more information on the 6 Principles, please refer to Food Day – 6 Food Day Principles)

By conducting a quick search for the Washington, DC area, I was able to find almost an endless list of events that are planned including speakers, neighborhood garden open houses, food truck culinary appreciation, nutrition education, university sponsored events, and the list goes on! If you go to the FoodDay.org events page, enter your zip code or address to find something that is going on within your neighborhood. Among a few of my favorites include:

- Food Day Proclamation

- Food Day Food Truck Festival (13th-17th St and K St NW)

- Food Day Extravaganza

- Inaugural Bike Blender Smoothie Sale

- American University’s 3 Day Celebration also click here for more details: AU’s Food Day 2011 Celebration AUFood Day

And so many more!!

Check out the website, find what is going on in or around your neighborhood, and go celebrate Food Day 2011!

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Public Lands Day NCR Announcement

National Public Lands Day

and

Rock Creek Park Day

September 24th, 2011

Public Lands = Public Health

Rock Creek Park and The National Environmental Education Foundation invite the public to participate in a National Public Lands Day signature event on September 24, 2011. This day also is Rock Creek Park Day, marking the 121st anniversary of the park. The Public Lands = Public Health message will be highlighted during the event.

The day will feature service projects spread throughout several areas of the park in the morning, and a recreation and health fair at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center in the afternoon. This year, organizers of National Public Lands Day are focusing on the connection between public lands and public health. Participating sites will highlight outdoor service and recreation opportunities, and how they contribute to better health.

Please click on the link for a complete detailed list and schedule of volunteer projects and health and recreation activities which you can participate in.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Please Contact festival@friendsofquietwaterspark.org if you are interested in volunteering this weekend!

Thank you!

Thursday: Urban Ag on the Move!

Our 3rd annual film screening fundraiser Urban Agriculture on The Move! A Film and Food Event is coming up on August 11th! We’re cooking up lots of local fare this week and are excited to share it with you.

Doors open and refreshments served at 6:30 pm. Film screening will start promptly at 7:30 pm, with discussion to follow. It’s at the Letelier Theater, located in the Georgetown neighborhood at 3251 Prospect Street, NW, Upper Courtyard.

Buy your tickets now and then let us know you’re coming on Facebook.

We’re still looking for a couple of last-minute volunteers – please reply here in an email if you’re interested!

And many thanks to our sponsors, including: Silver Spring Farmer’s Market, Mount Pleasant Farmer’s Market, Wegmans, Trader Joe’s, Harris Teeter, GLUT Food Coop, Whole Foods, Barrel Oak Winery, and St. Stephen’s and the Incarnation Episcopal Church.