Stewardship: Work & Residency Opportunities
Food Church provides work and residency opportunities through its Stewardship Program. Stewards are trained to be knowledgeable guardians and facilitators of the land, supporting and nourishing each community to be a bountiful sanctuary for its visitors and inhabitants.
Resident Stewardship
Resident Stewards of Food Church properties receive housing and meals in exchange for 20 hours of work per week.
Food Church seeks individuals of all educational and skillset backgrounds, and will utilize all Stewards to the best of their unique strengths. This is not the typical work-trade! Food Church Stewards are united by the passion of welcoming each day in nature; guided by principles of observation, systems theory and the ‘no-work-method’ (work smarter, not harder). There is a blend of structure with flexibility as each Food Church location grows, as new goals are identified and achieved in real time. In addition to projects put forth by the Village Visioneer, Stewards are encouraged to spearhead, test and execute their own ideas.
General Work Systems:
- Gardening/Farming – Guiding existing and future ecological systems through successful life cycles, including observation, planting, watering, thinning, harvesting, seed-saving
- Data Collection – observing and maintaining accurate records for the property such as temperature, rainfall, plant cycle changes (sprouting, flowering, fruiting, seeding), local fauna
- Construction – contributing to the planning and execution of construction projects onsite, with the focus on natural building methods
- Making – production of handcrafted / traditional goods such as woodworking, basketry, sewing, pottery, etc
- Water – assisting, planning, and executing plans to collect, store, and treat naturally present water onsite
- Community Hospitality – onsite meal preparation, organizing & cleanup, event coordination
STEWARD EXPECTATIONS:
- 20 hrs of focused tasks / week
- Weekly tasks are assigned and monitored by Village Visioneers
- Applicable “Tasks” means dedicated focus on assigned activities, striving to improve performance every time.
- Tasks should generally be enjoyable: “If one is not having fun, one is doing something wrong”
- Freely able to ask for assistance, consulting, or ideas from other Stewards and the Village Visioneer
Residency Amenities:
- kitchen/pantry
- bathroom/showers
- private lodging
- workshops/maker-spaces
- apothecary
- unique spaces for self-practice such as yoga, qigong, meditation, etc
Food Church locations will provide housing opportunities unique to each property’s climate and stewardship needs. Resident Stewards have unfettered access to the natural areas of the Food Church property. This can include vast outdoor spaces, immense views, and total immersion within nature. Food Church Stewards are encouraged to share their ideas and efforts in making each property a peaceful and functional space for its inhabitants.
Application & Acceptance Process
Food Church is accepting applications for day and resident stewards globally.
- Fill out the corresponding form here.
- Food Church Visioneers will contact to set up and conduct a video or in-person interview.
- Accepted Stewards will be assigned to a location and complete a 2nd interview (if necessary) with the local Village Visioneer.
- After successfully completing a mandatory two-week trial period, Stewards are accepted into long-term positions. The time-frame will be discussed and agreed upon by the Steward and Village Visioneer.
Day Stewardship
Interested in helping a Food Church location in a short term or part-time capacity? Food Church accepts Day Stewards as well!
General Work Systems:
- Gardening/Farming – Guiding existing and future ecological systems through successful life cycles, including observation, planting, seed-saving, watering, thinning, and harvesting
- Data Collection – observing and maintaining accurate records for the property such as temperature, rainfall, plant cycle changes (sprouting, flowering, fruiting, seeding), fauna
- Construction – contributing to the planning and execution of construction projects onsite, with the focus on natural building methods
- Making – production of handcrafted / traditional goods such as woodworking, basketry, sewing, pottery, etc
- Water – assisting, planning, and executing plans to collect, store, and treat naturally present water onsite
- Community Hospitality – onsite meal preparation, organizing & cleanup, event coordination
STEWARD EXPECTATIONS:
- Flexible hours / week
- Weekly tasks are assigned and monitored by Village Visioneers
- Applicable “Tasks” means dedicated focus on assigned activities, striving to improve performance every time.
- Tasks should generally be enjoyable: “If one is not having fun, one is doing something wrong”
- Freely able to ask for assistance, consulting, or ideas from other Stewards and the Village Visioneer
Steward Amenities:
- 1 meal or self-harvest session per 4 hours of focused tasks
- bathroom/showers
- workshops/maker-spaces
- apothecary
- unique spaces for self-practice such as yoga, qigong, meditation, etc