Category: News

To all our Friends and Supporters,

Last Friday evening at 6:40pm, the Trump administration sent grant termination notices to 1000 Americorps programs across the nation.  This action upended members’ career paths, from folks working in schools with City Year, to building much-needed housing with Habitat for Humanity (including our friends in Pittsfield), to our Greenagers crew–stewarding public lands, teaching in public schools, honing their skills in service toward careers in science, trades, education, and community building.  Last Friday, yet again, our government turned its back on over 30,000 people working toward a more perfect union.

Greenagers has six members currently serving in Americorps roles. These six signed a contract backed by the United States and the Trump administration ripped up that contract, without cause.  Fifteen states are now suing to block this action.

Brae, Brian, Jake, Jacob, Molly, and Zach came to Greenagers inspired to work outside and in schools with youth in our community.  They came with enthusiasm and optimism.  They ran into challenges and obstacles and worked to overcome them all while helping our organization, our schools, and our partner organizations.  They are serving a community as well as a national ethos.

At least they were serving a discernible national, non-partisan purpose until our government capriciously ended funding for 85% of Americorps federal staff and thousands more across the country.

We need your voice to call out loudly against this action.  Call your state and federal representatives.  They need our energy to fight against this and other injustices.

We need your donations to help our Americorps members finish what they’ve started with Greenagers.  We will not turn our backs on them.  They’ve held up their end of the deal and we intend to do the same.  There is an art to a good deal and it’s rooted in empathy, good faith, and good product.  You can show Brae, Brian, Jake, Jacob, Molly, and Zach what real support and leadership looks like.

Sincerely,

Donate

More information on this funding and our fundraising

AmeriCorps team members: Brian, Molly, Jacob, Zach, Brae, not pictured: Jake

More photos of the team in action

Eli Fry, a former Trail Manager and former Americorps Member shares what the program meant for him.

Read Eli’s note here

Yes, I want to support Greenagers in its mission to connect youth with the environment and our community!

Click here to donate

Double your impact this giving Tuesday

Three generous donors have pledged $15,000 as a matching challenge!  Join the effort and let’s raise $30,000 for youth and the environment today.  Click the button to help us reach our goal. If you choose to mail in a check, please put “Giving Tuesday” in the memo line.

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With your help local youth connect with the environment and our community in hands-on, meaningful ways through educational and employment opportunities. No one says it better than Greenagers youth. Hear what they have to say in this two minute video.

We were so thrilled to host our second annual Women in Conservation & Agriculture conference at April Hill, on September 21st. 68 young women from 6 local high schools came for a day of workshops (on topics such as seed saving, cheesemaking, wildlife research, arboriculture, becoming a shepherdess, and exploring the energy of waters and how it alchemizes with flowers) led by women professionals in the fields of conservation and agriculture (including one Greenagers alum!).

The day was beautiful – we were so lucky to have gorgeous blue skies and sunshine – and it felt very empowering to gather and learn together.  We are very grateful to Hannah Van Sickle for her wonderful write up of the event in the Berkshire Edge – check it out here!

A special thank you to our sponsors!

Greenagers seeks enthusiastic, hard-working, personable Crew Leaders and Assistant Crew Leaders for the 2023 field season.

Wages: $19-$22/hr

Full season: May 29 – October 27

Summer: May 29 – August 11

Fall: August 7 – October 27

Location: Western Massachusetts

Responsibilities include overseeing teenage trail crews in the frontcountry as they build and/or rehabilitate trails in a variety of out- of-doors environments like the
Appalachian Trail, Land Trust properties, and municipally owned parks. Trail crews build rock staircases, retaining walls, timber staircases, conduct invasive species eradication (hand cutting/pulling), corridor clear, and bench cut.

Training provided. You are encouraged to apply even if you have limited or no experience; however individuals with trail building experience will be prioritized for hiring.

Requirements: Must possess a valid driver’s license. At least 21 years old. Ability to perform physical labor for the duration of the summer.

Preferences: Individuals with trail building and maintenance experience. Experience managing, leading, or supervising teenagers. First Aid and CPR certified, Wilderness First Aid Certified, Wilderness First Responder certified.

Details: 40 hours per week 4-5 days per week.

To Apply: email elia@greenagers.org with your resume

We’re growing the team!

The Development Manager will work closely with the Development Director on all fundraising efforts so that the organization can maintain fiscal health and mission delivery.

Responsibilities include:

• Processing gifts and ensuring that donors are thanked, acknowledged, and stewarded.
• Handling data entry and maintenance in Bloomerang database and generating accurate and thorough reports as needed.
• Maintaining a healthy Mailchimp database for email campaigns.
• Working with the Development Director and the Executive Director to re-engage lapsed donors and secure new donors.
• Assisting with researching, writing, editing, and submitting applications for grant funding.
• Assisting with managing the schedule of grant applications and reporting deadlines.
• Providing logistical support for development events.
• Collaborating on social and print media and marketing efforts – including annual reports, print and email newsletters, and social media postings.

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Solid computer skills and willingness to learn new systems
• Professional and friendly interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and work under the pressure of deadlines
• Exceptional time management, organizational skills, and attention to detail
• Strong writing skills
• Ability to balance personal initiative and independence with effective utilization of team members
• Solid belief in the Greenagers mission

Preferred:

• Experience with fundraising
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with external customers/donors
• Experience working with databases

This position is part-time:  approx. 20hrs/wk

Compensation: $25/hr

Benefits:

• 401k retirement plan
• Staff CSA
• A welcoming and collaborative workplace with creative and engaged coworkers.

Greenagers is an equal opportunity employer.

Greenagers does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, being a member of the Reserves or National Guard, status as disabled or Vietnam Era veteran or status in any group protected against
discrimination by federal, state, or local law.

We welcome applications from BIPOC, LGBTQ+, women, and veterans. Greenagers is actively engaged in ensuring its programs are welcoming to all, and in increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of its work.

Though the job described above will begin entirely or almost entirely in English, Greenagers
welcomes interest from bilingual candidates who can support the organization in being more
inclusive in its work.

Email cover letter, writing sample, and resume to samantha@greenagers.org

Applications accepted on a rolling basis until a candidate is accepted.  Priority given to those submitted by Feb. 10, 2023

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Greenagers team! Pathways to the Trades introduces Berkshire County students to the variety of trades career opportunities here in the Berkshires and equips them with valuable skills, trades-specific and general. Now in its fourth year, Pathways to the Trades is in an exciting period of change and development .

THIS POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED.

Over 100 people  joined us last Sunday, September 25th, to walk Bow Wow Woods with Tom Wessels, author of Reading the Forested Landscape. It was an amazing turnout from the community and an amazing day – we learned so much and are so grateful to Tom for sharing his wisdom and expertise with us.

Bow Wow Woods – a 50-acre parcel of land just off Rte 41 on Bow Wow Rd – was recently acquired by Greenagers and will soon be protected  by a conservation restriction to be held by the Sheffield and Egremont Land Trusts. This important Conservation Restriction should be granted by year-end 2023. This fall and into spring 2023, Greenagers is working on improving the trails. The plan is to make the main trail a loop with a short spur down to the wetlands on the property.  Down the road, we plan to create a small parking area, build a kiosk, and make even more trail improvements. The diverse ecology of Bow Wow Woods makes it the perfect place for Greenagers to expand its programs of conservation education and youth-led land stewardship.

Greenagers and the land trusts of Egremont and Sheffield are nearing the end of a 1 million dollar fundraising campaign to protect and steward this special land for all time and for the permanent enjoyment of the communities we serve. Only $200,000 left to go! 

Yes! I want to be a part of the Bow Wow Woods conservation project!

On Thursday, September 22nd, Greenagers welcomed students from 5 regional Berkshire County high schools to April Hill for our first Women in Conservation and Agriculture Conference. Students participated in a variety of workshops ranging from from tree climbing to turtle tracking. The weather didn’t keep us from an eventful day that featured – in addition to the workshops –  a panel discussion and keynote address from Jen Salinetti of Woven Roots Farm.

A big thank you to all the women professionals who led the day:

Angela Sirois-Pitel & Nicole Kauffman: The Nature Conservancy

Jess Toro: Native Habitat Restoration

Sarah Monteiro: April Hill Farm

Maeven Broderick: Hartney Greymont

Jen Salinetti: Woven Roots Farm

Greenagers also thanks our Conference sponsors: Berkshire Grown, Berkshire Agricultural Ventures, and Berkshire Natural Resources Council.

And finally, a big thank you to all the students who participated in the day, for stepping out of physical and mental comfort zones, for great enthusiasm, and great questions.

Bob was one of our 2021 April Hill Farm Apprentices and we are so happy that he is continuing on with Greenagers in his new role as  April Hill Livestock Farmer. Yay!

Thank you, Bob, for all the work you do and for sharing your thoughts with us.

“Greenagers has provided me with an opportunity to obtain a position in my preferred career path, first as a farm apprentice last season and now as the lead livestock farmer. Working here has given me the ability to wake up every day and look forward to working with great staff and great youth, all involved in the amazing programs provided by Greenagers. I get to go outside every morning and I am greeted by our 9 sheep as they run into the barn bleating and hungry for fresh hay. I’ve been able to watch the April Hill  landscape change with the seasons. Through the heat of summer and unsympathetic cold of winter, I am outside working in the elements with the backdrop of the Berkshires. It’s not always easy work but I love what I do and I am humbled to be able to do it with a company that does so much for the southern Berkshire community.”

It’s not always easy work but I love what I do

Our Front Lawn Food program is in its 11th year of operation – this means hundreds of Front Lawn Food gardens have been installed throughout the community. For every garden purchased, a garden is donated to a family in need.

For more information, check out our Front Lawn Food page.

Hello, my name is Jacob Kulyniak. I am originally from Greenport, NY, located outside of the city of Hudson. Growing up I spent as much time as I could outdoors hunting, fishing, and hiking. I found out at a very young age that I had a love for wildlife and the environment and quickly learned that I never wanted to have a job where I would be stuck inside for long periods of time. My first job was working for Greenagers during the summer as a crew member.

I did this from July 2014 to August 2017. Working for Greenagers, I learned how to create and maintain trails using hands-on conservation techniques. In the spring of 2017, I graduated from Columbia Greene Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Science. In July 2018 I became a crew leader for Greenagers and held this position for two summers. In 2018 I was accepted into SUNY Cobleskill for their Wildlife Management program. Cobleskill gave me lots of hands-on experiences in the field and only further increased my passion for wildlife. I was also given the opportunity to travel to Panama for two weeks in 2020 to study the land’s biodiversity. To complete my degree at Cobleskill I wanted to do an internship. However, with the outbreak of Covid-19 it was difficult to find an internship in my field. So, in June 2020 I worked at Kline Kill Fruit Farm, where I learned various agricultural skills and how to operate heavy machinery. In April 2021 I accepted an internship working as a research assistant for Cary Institute of Ecosystem studies. Here, I worked with a small team on The Tick Project. At Cary I learned how to identify and collect data that is important for a county wide project that has been ongoing for five years. In May 2021, with my internship complete, I graduated from Cobleskill with a Bachelor’s Degree of Technology in Wildlife Management. On January 3rd 2022 I am set to begin my full time position as an Assistant Farm Manager for Klocke Estate: a fully organic farm which produces various types of brandy and wine. I am excited to take the next steps in my career and will always be grateful for the people that have helped me get to this point.