Full-Time
Position with Growing Hope
URBAN FARM & GARDEN MANAGER
Position Title: Urban
Farm and Garden Manager
Growing Hope is a grassroots non-profit
organization in Ypsilanti, Michigan dedicated to empowering individuals, groups
and communities through gardening and increasing access to healthy food.
We aim to grow healthy people, grow healthy places, and grow healthy
economies.
Position
Description
We are seeking an experienced and
dedicated Urban Farm and Garden Manager to join our team. This is a full time position and will begin
as soon as it is filled. The Urban Farm and Garden Manager is
responsible for bringing Growing Hope’s vision of Healthy People, Healthy
Places, & Healthy Communities to life through the cultivation and
management of the outdoor portions of our 1.4 acre urban property in the heart
of Ypsilanti, including a series of organic demonstration garden and urban farm
areas (including 30x96 foot hoophouse) and surrounding grounds/landscape
management. The farm is a multi-purpose space used for
organic-practice production, demonstration, education and events, and the farm
and garden manager must keep the space presentable and inviting to the public
at all times.
The Urban Farm and Garden Manager will be
responsible for developing and implementing annual garden and farm plans,
leading farm and garden education through tours and workshops (that contribute
to funding the position), and inspiring, instructing, and teaching volunteers,
job trainees, youth and other visitors. S/he will be responsible for
overseeing:
● Production
Farm (5000 square feet) operations through implementing and maintaining a farm
business and crop plan, meeting earned revenue targets (that partially fund
this position), managing selling through existing and new wholesale, retail,
and farmers markets/farm stand settings;
● Cooperative
work with Program Director, Garden Program Manager and other staff to create
and expand demonstration spaces, develop educational materials, and be an active teacher on-site to
youth and adults
● Management,
maintenance, and general upkeep of GH outdoor spaces;
●
Administrative and support role
in record keeping of all inputs and outputs of urban farm and garden spaces,
assist in grant writing, and the continued development of the farm vision and
implementation, exploration of value-added and site-rental opportunities, and
other Growing Hope staff duties as assigned. S/he may help source produce for
mobile farm stand and to corner stores.
The
Urban Farm & Garden Manager is responsible for the management of many
volunteers, interns, and occasional part-time staff. S/he acts as an educator for youth and
adults, and works with other Growing Hope staff, to expand educational vision
of the site. The Urban Farm & Garden
Manager reports to the Assistant Director.
Qualified
candidates will exhibit the following:
●
At least three years of farming
and gardening experience, with some urban farming preferred, including some
experience in a management role, and experience in garden and/or farm planning
and design.
●
Experience teaching, training,
and/or working with volunteers in a farm, garden or outdoor setting.
●
Experience working with and
leading volunteers of all skill levels individually and in large groups.
●
Experience seed starting.
●
Commitment to and experience in
sustainable practices including weed, pest and water management.
●
Previous experience with
four-season farming/hoophouse cultivation.
●
Business planning and crop
planning experience.
●
Willingness to do physical labor
in all weather; Ability to lift 40lbs.
●
Flexibility to work
non-traditional hours in non-traditional settings, including evening and
weekends as scheduled.
●
A commitment to keep our space
clean and tidy and an understanding of the challenges of working within a
multi-purpose space and an urban environment.
●
Highly competent in use of
computers (Mac & PC both) and comfort using technology on a daily basis.
●
Experience and dedication to
data collection and reporting, including through Excel.
●
Solid management skills,
successful experience working in teams.
●
Dedication to working as a
member of and in partnership with diverse communities.
●
Willingness to adapt to changing
organizational conditions and extremely limited resources.
●
Experience in
nonprofit and community-based organizations
●
Creativity, flexibility,
resourcefulness and positive thinking.
●
Someone who wants to grow
professionally with the organization.
●
Belief in asset-based, social
justice approach.
●
Carpentry skills, equipment
maintenance skills and small engine repair skills preferred.
●
Bee keeping, perennial, fruit
tree, mushroom and vegetable cultivation, and animal husbandry knowledge
preferred.
● Clean background check, driving record,
and valid driver’s license will be required.
●
Preference given to
Ypsilanti-area residents or those willing to relocate to and engage in the
Ypsilanti community.
Compensation: $30,000/year.
Full-time salaried. Medical,
Vision, Dental and Life insurance are available after 90 days from original
date of hire.
To Apply:
Application is rolling and open until filled.
Start date ideally late June or early July. Submit resume &
2 page cover letter, complete with contact information for three references, to
Amanda Edmonds, Executive Director, at [log in to unmask]. Samples of past
work welcome, though not required.
Growing Hope is an Equal Opportunity Employer
and does not discriminate potential employees based on race, creed, age, color,
disability, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or
marital status. We encourage the following groups to apply: people of color, and
individuals who possess an in-depth understanding of poverty or economic
hardship.
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Growing Hope helps people improve lives and communities through gardening and healthy food access. Help us connect Ypsilanti with fresh, healthy food by donating TODAY, and your contribution will be DOUBLED! Learn more at Patronicity.com/YpsiMarketPlace