Jobs: Greener Partners – Philadelphia

Greener Partners seeks qualified candidates to fill a number of newly created positions for the 2011 growing season in the Greater Philadelphia Area.  Greener Partners is a non-profit organization dedicated to reconnecting communities to the food we eat.  We envision a world in which everyone is inspired to improve his or her community and personal well being by experiencing locally grown, organic food. We have several community farms that provide produce for CSA members and Farmers Markets.  Our educational programs, Seed to Snack™, The S.O.L Food Project and Greener Partners Summer Camps, educate and inspire youth both on our farms and in surrounding schools. As a fast growing organization and leader in the local food movement, Greener Partners seeks creative, hardworking and motivated individuals who are committed to Greener Partners’ mission and programming to join our dynamic team. Available Positions: (descriptions below) Farm Manager at Norristown Hub Educational Farm Manager at the Radnor Education Programs Manager at Norristown Hub Farm Educators at the Radnor and Norristown Hubs Agripreneur Program: CSA Farm Apprentices in Media, Radnor and Norristown. Please email your letter of interest and resume, indicating the position you are applying for in the subject line, to alison.forbes@greenerpartners.org. Full job descriptions are available upon request. We will be attending both NOFA and PASA conferences, please indicate in your email if you would like to schedule an interview time at one of the conferences.

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Norristown Farm Manager

The Norristown Farm Manager will oversee operations and food production at a new 6 acre, Greener Partners’ community farm in Norristown, Pennsylvania, 30 minutes northwest of Philadelphia.   This is an exciting opportunity to start a new farm and engage with a diverse and dynamic population.  An entrepreneurial spirit is required

The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 3 to 4 seasons of experience managing a diverse organic vegetable production including experience with tractors and small-scale vegetable implements.  The Farm Manager will be expected to develop and manage budgets and oversee all day-to-day operations.  An interest in and enthusiasm for farm-based education is necessary, as the farm manager will work with the Education Programs Manager to facilitate educational programs on the farm as well as training future farmers through our Agriprenuer Program.  Housing may be available.  This is a full-time, year round, salaried position and begins March 1.

Educational Farm Manager of the Rador Hub

The Educational Farm Manager (EFM) will oversee a new Greener Partners project, which will be a working model of modern-day homesteading on a one-acre farm and historic cottage in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania.  Both the farm and the cottage will offer programming designed to educate and inspire communities in the Greater Philadelphia area to lead more self-sufficient and sustainable lifestyles.  A key responsibility of the EFM will be to promote the project and engage the surrounding community and the project’s partners.

The Educational Farm Manager must have previous experience on an educational farm and be skilled at both food production and leading farm-based education programs.  This is a full-time, salaried position that includes on-site, year-round housing in the historic cottage and begins March 1.

Education Programs Manager at Norristown Farm Hub

The Education Programs Manager (EPM) will design, implement and manage school and farm-based educational programming at a new Greener Partners’ community farm in Norristown, Pennsylvania, 3o minutes northwest of Philadelphia.

The farm is surrounded by an ethnically diverse community that has a population of over 65,000 people.  A core responsibility of the EPM will be to promote Greener Partners educational programming and engage the surrounding community and the project’s partners.  The EPM will oversee programs designed to reconnect people to the food they eat.  Greener Partners’  school-based programs bring the farm into the classroom and give students hands-on experiences with the local food system.  Our farm-based programs and camps celebrate the farm-to-table connection and foster more sustainable lifestyles.

The Education Programs Manager should have previous experience leading farm-based education programs on a farm or equivalent experience.  This is a full-time, year round, salaried position and begins in February or March.

Farm Educators

Greener Partners offers a variety of programs to educate youth about sustainable farming practices and healthy eating.  Our school-basedSeed to Snack™ brings the farm into the classroom and gives youth hands-on experiences with the local food system.  Our farm-based programs give youth experiences in growing, harvesting, preparing and eating farm-fresh food:  we offer both summer camps for children ages 5-9 and youth empowerment programs for teens.

During the school year, the Farm Educator will coordinate and implement Seed to Snack™ programming in area schools.  During the summer months, The Farm Educator will be the lead instructor at our day camp and duties will include teaching lessons on sustainable farming practices, environmental stewardship, cooking and crafts.  Applicants must have previous experience working with children, in either a classroom or day camp setting, and they must have previous farming / gardening experience.  Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are necessary for this position. This is a full-time, salaried position and begins in April.

2 year Agripreneur Program: Farm and Farm Education Apprenticeships

Greener Partners seeks a total of 6 apprentices at our Media, Radnor and Norristown sites.

Apprentices will gain experience in all farm operations, including budget creation and management, CSA planning and management, propagation, planting, cultivation, tractor maintenance, harvesting and pest management.  The goal will be to position apprentices to take a leadership role at a farm operation after this 2-year program.  The apprentices will also be involved with new farm start-up as well as significant expansion of already existing operations.  Organic and ecological principals guide our growing methods, and we are considering Food Alliance certification.   There will be two spots available for a Farm Education focused Apprenticeship.

Experience is appreciated but not necessary. The most important qualifications are a strong work ethic, desire to learn, and a good sense of humor. Apprentices must be prepared to do manual labor and repetitive tasks in all types of weather and in an efficient manner. Apprentices will work 50 hours per week.  We are not currently able to offer on-farm housing.  There will be a significant increase in compensation if apprentice elects to stay on for the second year of the program.  Position begins April 1.