ARK Farms is Seeking a Non-Profit Director

Currently a volunteer, part-time position (may be able to work into a salaried position).

Job Description

  • Strategic Planning

  • Developing a new Operational Business Plan

  • Budgeting

  • Coordinating with Grant Writers

  • Connecting with local Industry for Collaboration and Sponsorship

Candidates will possess an understanding of Non-Porfit operations and development. They will be willing to contribute at least 15 hours per week to organizational planning, business development, and/or coordinating for grant procurement.

The Director will work directly with the Board of Directors and will receive training and resources from the Founders and the Youth Advisory Board.

Please respond by email to abby@cometohefarm,org with a letter of interest and resume.

Words from our Teens!

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Friendship-

Getting to be really who we are!

Dear Friend,

 

You are the reason we get to share the farm.  I want you to know how grateful we are – not just those of us who run ARK Farms, but the kids themselves. Here are some of their words: 

“Without ARK Farms, I would have never gotten a job and I would never have a better coping skill for my major depression.” – Alec (17)

“What ARK Farms mean to me is a place where I can come and have fun. If it wasn’t for the farm I would have no where to go.” – Kaitey (15)

“This internship means a lot to me learning how to work with people in my community.” – Lucas (11)

“If it was not for this farm, I would not learn how to weld, ride a horse, chop wood, or drive a tractor. This place is where I can be myself and make friends.” – Abbs (11)

“Without ARK Farms, I wouldn’t have been able to meet all these wonderful people and learn these skills I had no idea about.” – Brandon (15)

“I am grateful for the expansive learning opportunities and unparalleled teamwork-building environment provided by ARK Farms to the greater Memphis community.” – Kyle (17)

“This internship has helped me to grow as a person and discover skills I didn’t know I had. Without the farm I would not have some of the friends I have now. I am so grateful for this farm.” Layla (14)

“This internship is so important to me. Not just me – so many people. It helps with stress and they support victims of human trafficking. This internship was the BEST time in my life!” – Luke (13)

“The farm has gotten me out of the house, given me more friends, and has taught me many different skills.” – Aaron (16)

“This means so much to me. I don’t know what I would do without it. I love ARK Farms and NoSCABS and Mrs. Abby, and it keeps me from sitting in front of the T.V.” – Maggie (13)

“Why ARK Farms internship means so much to me is because I got to learn something new from our staff, including Mrs. Abby and Ms. Deb. I love WELDING!” – Brianna (11)

“ARK Farms helped me learn valuable skills such as welding, horsemanship, driving tractors and many other things. At ARK Farms I am an asset to the community.” – Ava (16)

This summer has been so powerful. Parents have called and written to thank us for helping their family by giving them their kid back, renewed and happy again. They come away with so much more than new skills. Chloe, a high school girl who came on a group visit, described it this way, “It’s so welcoming, accepting, and full of love. We really saw this evident sitting around the bonfire, sharing and learning using ‘NoSCABS’. That was an amazing moment...wow! We now know how to create not only a strong community with each other, but also a self-empowering mindset within ourselves.”

Thank you, from all of us. As we figure out how to open for programs again, we continue to work with our Youth Advisory Board to provide what teens in this generation really need. Thank you for allowing us to do that, and for building life with us in this generation. 

July 5th Serve Day

Hey Memphis area teens and families, we are having a Serve Day this week. Friday, July 5th from 8-11 a.m. you can come to the farm and lend a helping hand, work with our awesome teen leaders, and be part of the farm fun. There will be plenty of cold water, just bring your bottle to refill.

Wear clothes and shoes you can get dirty. It’s outdoor work!

See you at the farm!

Amazing Internships!

These are the most exciting days at the farm - Summer Youth Internships! Teens from all over the area become interns at the farm to learn every skill we need to run life at the farm. They weld, drive tractors, manage resources, care for over 200 rescue animals, it’s just amazing! Last week they were learning new skills that help them become more confident in themselves.

This week they are finding how powerful they are as they learn to see assets in one another. When we work together to build life, we are community. THIS is what “Building Life Together” is all about. I am so proud of this group of interns. After they graduate on Friday, each one will qualify to work as paid staff at the farm. We are so grateful to all the supporters who give to make this mission possible. What an honor it is to be community with you.

SUMMER Serve Days - Hot Hot Hot!

It’s here - SUMMER! This Friday and Saturday we are offering serve day opportunities for teens, families, and civic groups from 8 to 11 a.m. each day. Last day of May and first day of June - what a great way to start the summer.

We will be getting animals moved, prepping the shop for the upcoming Youth Training Programs, and probably eating our fair share of popscicles - just saying!

Come share the morning with us May 31, (8 to 11) or June 1, (8 to 11). See you at the farm!

Farm Life ROCKS - and wiggles too...

Check out this news!

There is so much going on at the farm, I can hardly keep up. During the past 10 weeks of Serve Days, we have seen new babies born on the farm, new rescues join our farm fresh family, and whole new parts of our ecosystem emerge! Our new baby lambs, Cooper and Curly are growing stronger every day, and they have started to wean from their mamas. That means they want more attention from us - ok I don’t mind that so much. We also have several new ducks, chickens, baby chicks, and even a new horse, Charlie Brown. The farm is just brimming with life. You can view our newsletter here.

If that wasn’t plenty, we just became home to a brand new worm farm! That’s right, the richest soil nutrients you can find, and we are growing it intentionally as part of our symbiotic relationships in our ecosystem of the farm. See what I did there, threw in a bunch of cool science words. That’s because the farm is all about STEM. We use science and engineering every day at the farm. This means that we make a great place for school field trips.

Check out the rockstar in this photo who came to the farm as part of a homeschooling group having a soil and garden day at the farm . It’s a great way to spend class time outdoors. We have heaps of field trips planned this season, and we are excited to have all the kids out at the farm. Watch this space for more news on that! If you want to have a group visit at the farm, contact us and we will get you all the information! See you at the farm!