Food Project Farm Manager Job in Colorado

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Food Project Farm Manager Wanted at Growing Gardens in Boulder, Colorado – 2021

Food Project Farm Manager

Growing Gardens is a Boulder based non-profit organization established in 1998 with the mission to enrich the lives of the community through sustainable urban agriculture. Growing Gardens helps people experience a direct, deep connection with food, the land and each other through our programs for diverse populations: the Children’s Peace Garden (Ages 3-11), Community Classes, Community Gardens, Growing Gardens Food Project, and Cultiva Youth Project (Ages 12-18). Our activities are centered in the heart of Boulder on 11 acres of land that has been in agricultural use for the past 100 years. We expanded our programming in 2016 to include a 1 acre farm in neighboring Longmont, Colorado, which provides fresh produce and agriculture-based education to the Longmont community. To learn more about Growing Gardens, visit www.growinggardens.org.

The Food Project Farm (FPF) Manager position is ideal for someone with a passion for combining small scale vegetable production with education and food access. This position will oversee the cultivation of an organic, one-acre urban farm focused on producing food for the Longmont community through the Growing Gardens Food Project,  which provides free produce, plant starts and seeds to community members in need to increase access to fresh, organic produce. This person should also have a passion for educating and leading groups of children, teens, adults and seniors.

Job Title: Food Project Farm Manager
Job Status: Year Around, Salaried Position (30 hours Nov, Dec, Jan and Feb; Full time March-October), with opportunities for future growth
Reports To: Boulder Farm Manager
Pay: Salaried position $32,000- $36,000 at .92 FTE
Benefits: Excellent Health and Dental benefits provided. IRA benefit after 1 year of employment

Application Deadline November 5. However, applications will be reviewed immediately until the position is filled.

Preferred Start Date: February 1, 2021

To Apply for the Food Project Farm Manager Job:

No phone calls please. Email your resume, cover letter, and two letters of recommendation (one of which should be a supervisor from an agricultural job) with “Food Project Farm Manager Application” in the email subject line to: info@growinggardens.org

Required Qualifications

• The candidate must have 2 years organic farm management experience
• Minimum one year of experience managing interns, volunteers or other individuals
• Proficient in conversational Spanish and English
• Experience in project management
• Strong conflict resolution skills
• Exceptional relationship building skills
• Willingness to joyfully work outside in all weather conditions
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with a small staff
• Adaptability to changing situations, needs of program participants and changing weather conditions

Desired Qualifications

• Experience leading groups in an educational setting
• Mechanical knowledge and understanding of farm equipment including tractors, mowers, string trimmers, and tillers of varying sizes
• Experience working and farming in arid climate, similar to that of the Colorado Front Range

Major Functions and Accountability

• Coordinates with other Growing Gardens site and director staff to fulfill program needs.
• Work with Volunteer Coordinator to schedule and manage volunteers for special projects on the Farm.
• Oversees Food Project Farm intern work and a small, Work-Trade CSA program
• Oversees vegetable production and donations from farm to Longmont community through the Growing Gardens Food Project, and maintain donation records.
• Be a liaison for Growing Gardens to visitors of all ages to the Longmont Farm site.
• Maintain record keeping and complete administrative work around farm production.
• Assists with educational programming at the Farm for children, teens, adults and seniors.
• Attend weekly staff meetings and bi-weekly GGFP program meetings.
• Maintain Columbine Grow Dome, located in Boulder. This is a geodesic dome utilized for elementary education.
• Maintain relationship and communication with YMCA Director and staff as it pertains to farm programming and site needs.

Primary work week occurs between 8am and 6pm Monday through Friday, depending on program schedule. However, some work is required outside of these hours for special events or to accommodate some work groups during high season.

SPECIFIC PROGRAM FUNCTIONS

Longmont Farm Management

• Oversee all crop and seed planning for Longmont site.
• Maintain FPF budget and expense tracking through the year
• Maintain irrigation system and Longmont site greenhouse.
• Grow all plants starts for GGFP donations and FPF production.
• Staff donation days at Longmont and Boulder sites for GGFP
• Weeding, pest management, and site upkeep.
• Harvest, process, and distribute produce to community partners.
• Track all production for year-end reporting for GGFP and submit records to GGFP committee and Boulder Farm Manager.
• Managing interns, work-trade participants, and volunteers to assist in farm tasks.
• Proper use and maintenance of farm equipment including, tiller, mower, and manual farming implements.
• Joyful sharing of knowledge and crops with children’s programming.
• End of season chores including winterizing beds, irrigation, and tool maintenance.
• Seed ordering for FPF and assist with org wide seed orders.

Longmont Farm Education

• Partner with education staff to support field trips of local elementary age children introducing them to the farm ecosystem, honey bees, vermicomposting and food production.
• Organize, schedule and oversee teen service learning groups and provide mentorship regarding agricultural systems.
• Mentor interns and guide them in farm production.
• Co-lead the Cultiva teen program during the summer season.
• Host senior coffee talks at the farm
• Assist with Horticulture Therapy and Service Learning groups at the farm

Events

• Growing Gardens hosts a number of events throughout the year. This person will work with all other staff to make these events successful.
• Attend Longmont Community events as a Growing Gardens ambassador, specifically those aimed at recruiting volunteers, work trade participants and service learning groups for the Food Project Farm.
• Participate in outreach to community partners for long term volunteer and financial support for the Food Project Farm.
• Co-organize and market events on the Food Project Farm.

Special Projects

• Teach gardening or farming classes for the community as needed.
• Work shifts at the goat dairy, when needed, primarily in the off-season.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

 

• Learn more about farming and food jobs and internships, or learn how to post a job, internship, or apprenticeship opportunity on beginningfarmers.org here.