Program Facilitator - Urban Agriculture

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Reports To: Program Manager - Urban Agriculture

Supervises: YTOP Interns

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Urban Agriculture - Planting and Garden Preparation

• Assist program manager in preparing the gardens for planting at all farm sites

• Remove tarps from the field to expose beds, apply compost, broadfork beds to aerate soil, etc.

• Assist Urban Agriculture Manager in planting, growing, watering, etc. of all produce

• Plant seeds in the greenhouse, monitor seed growth, track seedlings and starts

• Repot plants as needed due to growth, move/transplant plants to the garden in spring, 

Urban Agriculture - Garden Maintenance

• Assist program manager in the watering of the gardens throughout the growing season

• Install both overhead and drip irrigation systems depending on site needs and appropriate use

• Assess and determine watering needs of each location based on the weather, day and conditions - Daily watering as needed

• Assist program manager in maintaining the gardens throughout the growing season by hoeing, weeding, moving plants, deadheading

• Perform weeding 1-2 times per week; perform pest management utilizing organic methods

• Perform other garden-related activities (e.g., mow lawn, operate tiller, trim shrubs)

Urban Agriculture - Produce Harvesting

• Under the direction of the program manager, harvest plants when at maturity (pick, clip, crop, cut, etc.)

• Understand and recognize plant maturity for all produce grown

• Wash, weigh and bundle produce based on whether produce is sold, donated, or used for farm stand

• Identify and prepare the right size boxes for the produce being harvested

• Retrieve the appropriate supplies for harvesting (rubber bands, boxes, harvesting tools etc.), and place items in on-site storage

Youth Intern Supervision and Training

• Assist program manager in leading youth interns in all garden and farming activities

• Provide hands-on training in all aspects of urban agriculture and food production

• Create and lead lesson plans in off season to engage youth interns while in the classroom

• Transport youth from garden sites as needed using programming van

• Provide supervision to youth at various AFC events as needed

Infrastructure and Non-Production Projects

• Maintain the cleanliness and organization of the greenhouse, gardens, equipment, refrigerators and other work areas and tools

• Assist with non-growing infrastructure tasks (building shelves, fences, high-tunnels, hoop houses, etc.)

• Assist in planning and execution of year-round growing, including off-season work in the greenhouse

• Conduct winter property maintenance at farm sites, including shoveling, snow removal, etc.

• Communicate with Urban Ag Manager to identify and perform work priorities and communicate task completion

Administration and Recordkeeping

• Assist with agricultural record keeping by tracking and recording produce for grant reporting and other documentation as instructed or required

• Assist with tracking farm data, including crop planning, harvesting log, germination rate, planting schedule, growth tracking, temperature tracking, etc. 

• Assist with purchasing materials and supplies for farm, infrastructure and non-farming operations 

• Perform targeted agriculture-related research at the direction of the Manager 

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Other duties as assigned by management and as needed to support the effective implementation of programs

• Work closely with other program staff to ensure successful delivery of quality programming across the organization

• Help lead volunteer groups throughout the season

• Work closely with the program manager to develop and implement operations plans, including crop plan, planting schedule, harvest schedule, etc.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Desired Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred

• 2 or more years of experience with farming, sustainable and/or urban agriculture preferred

• Basic gardening knowledge: growing, harvesting, etc.  

• Basic math skills to count produce, weighing produce, measuring various inputs (water, etc.)

• Basic computer skills (Google Workspace)

• Valid Driver’s License, clean driving record and insurable

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to interact with team, communicate, and work with a diverse variety of people and personalities in and out of the organization

• Friendly, out-going demeanor and able to build and maintain professional relationships

• Able to follow directions and perform repetitive tasks to completion

• Proactive approach to work, able to identify work to be performed and completing them without direction

• Must be self-motivated and able to work unsupervised and solve routine problems independently

• Organized and detail-oriented to maintain records and written reports

• Willingness to learn new things and solve problems creatively and independently

• Able to follow safety protocol and work safely using motorized and hand tools to prevent job accidents and injuries 

• Able to mentor and work cooperatively with youth, providing a quality experience to program participants

• Strong passion for the work of Appetite For Change, serving the community, healthy/whole foods, and community engagement

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO PERFORM THIS JOB

Individual must be able to:

• Hear and speak in order to communicate with people inside and outside of AFC 

• Read, write and understand general and detailed instructions, including motorized safety protocol 

• Continually perform garden-related physical activities to include: standing, walking, bending, twisting, kneeling, digging, planting, shoveling, using gardening hand tools, etc.

• Lift and carry at least 50 lbs.

• Manual dexterity, hand and arm strength to handle, operate and push machinery, such as tiller, lawn mower, power tools, etc. as well as to shovel, hoe, weed, and perform other manual gardening activities

• Physically tolerate working primarily outside, including in high temperatures, rain and other weather conditions

• Independently get to worksite and travel between multiple garden locations daily

• Conduct weekly watering during weekend hours (0.5-1 hours per week)

• Work occasional weekends and evenings to attend and/or facilitate AFC events and workshops

• Work in-person or remotely during the day, being flexible in scheduling as the program requires

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Incumbent must be able to use:

• Garden-related power tools, including lawn mower, motorized tiller, tree/shrub trimmers. 

• Garden-related hand  tools, including rake, hoe, shovel, hand tools, etc.

• Winter grounds and snow maintenance tools, including shovels, ice tools, and snowblower. 

• Office equipment such as: Laptop, printer, scanner, etc.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is primarily outdoors on multiple urban farm garden sites in North Minneapolis, working in a variety of types of weather (heat, cold, rain, snow, etc.). Regular travel between office and garden sites is required. The job is mostly Monday – Friday, but some weekend work will be needed due to watering, weather, and attending special events, etc.

OFF-SEASON EXPECTATIONS

During the off season, the same expectations are in effect. The work environment will include outdoors in Minnesota winter weather conditions to maintain vehicle(s), greenhouses, other growing structures, and garden properties, including snow removal and sidewalk clearance.

PAY RATE:

$18 - $21 Per hour - DOQ

BENEFITS:

Health Insurance 

Dental Insurance 

Retirement (401k)

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Paid Holidays

Short Term Disability (STD) Insurance 

Vision Insurance

Life Insurance

Long Term Disability (LTD) Insurance

TO APPLY:

Send resume and cover letter to jobs@afcmn.org