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What's New in Michigan Organics? JOB OPPORTUNITIES 1. Farm Manager: The Greening of Detroit 2. Farmers' Market Coordinator: The Greening of Detroit 3. Organic Blueberry Farm Apprentice JOB OPPORTUNITES 1. Farm Manager: The Greening of Detroit Location: 1418 Michigan Ave., Detroit 48216 Date Posted: December 8, 2008 Application Deadline: January 8, 2009 Salary: +/- $32,000 (depending on experience) plus benefits Area of Focus: Urban Agriculture, Organic Farming Education, Environment Position Summary: The Greening of Detroit is seeking a full-time Farm Manger to manage production and operations at two urban farms in Detroit. The Romanowski Farm Park is 30 acre city-owned park where The Greening of Detroit operates a ¾ acre farm, teaching gardens, an orchard, and sugar bush. The Detroit Market Garden, our newest project, is a 2.5 acre production focused farm located in the heart of the Eastern Market District in Downtown Detroit, equip with three 30'X96' solar passive greenhouses and one transplant greenhouse. The Farm Manager is responsible for the management, planning, and oversight of The Greening of Detroit's farming operations at both sites from land preparation through quality harvest including all aspects of organic vegetable, herb, flower and fruit production. The Farm Manager reports to the Director of Urban Agriculture. Duties and Responsibilities: • Oversee all aspects of day-to-day farm operations at both Romanowski Park and The Market Garden, including business and planting plans, pest control and weed management, field cultivation, compost and seed production, and harvest. • Responsible for solar passive greenhouse and transplant greenhouse operations including ordering, scheduling, seeding, fertilizing, watering, pest management, and distribution. • Supervise staff and volunteers working at both sites as well as oversee our Urban Agriculture Apprentices. • Work with Urban Agriculture staff to plan and implement educational activities and tours for both youth and adults at both farms. • Work with Urban Agriculture staff to coordinate harvest and sales at farmers' markets, to restaurants, and at u-pick events. Additional Qualifications: • The ideal candidate will have 3-5 years of farm management experience, preferably at an organic or chemical free farm. • Experience supervising staff and/or volunteers and working with diverse communities. • Experience teaching youth and/or adults in a farm or garden setting. • Interest and familiarity with issues relating to local food, food access, and sustainable agriculture, and a genuine appreciation of the urban environment. • Strong organizational and written/verbal communication skills. • Ability to work independently and as part of a team. • Proficiency in all MS office applications required. Bachelor's degree in agriculture, natural resources, plant science, horticulture or a related field is preferred but not required. How to Apply: Please send email of your resume and cover letter to [log in to unmask] Use the job title as the subject line. Only potential interviewees will be contacted. Visit our website at www.detroitagriculture.org. 2. Farmers' Market Coordinator: The Greening of Detroit Location: 1418 Michigan Ave., Detroit 48216 Date Posted: December 8, 2008 Application Deadline: January 8, 2009 Salary: +/- $30,000 (depending on experience) plus benefits Area of Focus: Teaching, Nutrition, Community Organizing, Urban Agriculture, Position Summary: The Greening of Detroit is seeking a full- time Market Coordinator to support urban gardeners participating in our Grown In Detroit cooperative who are producing fruits and vegetables for sale at farmers' markets and to local restaurants. In 2008, Grown In Detroit sold regularly at 6 Detroit Farmers' Markets as well as to local restaurants and grossed over $14,000. This position requires an individual with strong interest in community-driven food systems and urban agriculture, the experience and willingness to work with diverse groups, and the ability to collaborate with community organizations. The Farmers' Market Coordinator reports to the Director of Urban Agriculture. Duties and Responsibilities: • Oversee Grown in Detroit's cooperative farmers' marketing and retail sales activities including coordinating our farmers' market schedule and restaurant sales, creating and updating program literature, monitoring and upholding harvest and post-harvest handling standards and practices, supervising sales, processing accounts, and recruiting, training, and supporting participating urban growers. • Coordinate Youth Growing Detroit farm stand program including selecting groups, training, and supporting participating urban growers. • Work with Urban Agriculture staff to develop and implement farm plans at Greening of Detroit operated market gardens that maximize production to supplement direct and retail sales. Oversee produce harvest, post-harvest handling, and sales. • Management of other related projects including coordination of u-pick activities at Greening of Detroit Market Gardens and local produce delivery to a CSA like project called The Green Ribbon Good Food Box. • Project based supervision of staff, AmeriCorps members, and volunteers. Additional Qualifications: • The ideal candidate will have 2-5 years experience selling vegetables, fruit, and flowers directly to consumers at farmers' markets or to local restaurants. • Experience supervising staff and/or volunteers and working with diverse communities. • Experience teaching youth and/or adults in a farm or garden setting. • Interest and familiarity with issues relating to local food, food access, and sustainable agriculture, and a genuine appreciation of the urban environment. • Strong organizational and written/verbal communication skills • Ability to work independently and as part of a team • Proficiency in all MS office applications required • Bachelor's degree in marketing, community development, natural resources, plant science, or a related field. How to Apply: Please send email of your resume and cover letter to [log in to unmask] Use the job title as the subject line. Only potential interviewees will be contacted. Visit our website at www.detroitagriculture.org. 3. Organic Blueberry Farm Apprentice Pleasant Hill Farm is seeking a apprentices for the 2009 season on our organic blueberry farm. They are located 5 miles from Lake Michigan, just outside of Fennville and has been certified for over 30 years. Housing is provided as well as a small stipend and a fair amount of food, plus a large plot for a garden. Interns would participate in basic blueberry culture, weeding, helping to mow, and learning how to brew compost tea and other activities. The main work occurs in mid-July to early Sept when interns work on the blueberry shaker stacking (literally) tons of berries and then working on the packing line where we sort fruit. Because of the heavy lifting, workers need strong backs and stamina. Other skills that could be learned are: driving oxen, cheesemaking, canning, milking goats, helping with haying. Pleasant Hill Farm lives off the grid, so there are opportunities to learn basic information about wind and solar and also are traditional Irish musicians. Interested people should either call 269-561-2850 or email us at our website: www.pleasanthillblueberryfarm.com If you would like to access previous postings to the Mich-Organic listserv you can copy and paste the following URL into your browser address bar http://list.msu.edu/archives/mich-organic.html