Part-Time Farm Manager Wanted, Needham MA.

IMMEDIATE OPENING
Needham Community Farm, Needham, MA – Part-time Farm Manager

Needham Community farm is seeking a part-time, year-round Farm Manager/Gardener.

Needham Community Farm (NCF) promotes food justice by increasing access to fresh, sustainably grown produce for food insecure individuals and families; practicing and encouraging environmental stewardship; and deepening our community’s connection to the food system through educational, volunteer and youth leadership programs. We grow on two sites and distribute produce through food access partnerships with a community food pantry and four affordable housing sites, provide support and guidance to multiple affordable housing community gardens, offer opportunities for learning through our family gardening programs, and partner with local organizations to provide youth programs focused on food sovereignty, nutrition, and gardening.

Position Focus:
The Farm Manager will be responsible for managing NCF's 1.25-acre primary site, as
well as the smaller pilot site. This includes completing tasks needed for crop production
and harvest, organizing and leading volunteers to carry out needed field work, as well
as coordinating the distribution of produce to our food access partner sites. Because the
mission of the Farm emphasizes food access, education and community outreach, the
crops, farm layout, and growing methods are integrated with a variety of educational
and volunteer programs that take place on the farm. The part-time Farm Manager will
work closely with the Outreach Program Manager, the Board of Directors, our partner
organizations, and with seasonal contract educational and program staff to meet the
food access and educational goals of the Farm.
Schedule: Hours vary depending on the time of year, from 5 to 30 hours per week
depending on the month of the season. For the months of July through October, the
position will average 30 hours/week. Over the course of the year, the position averages
out to a half to 2⁄3 FTE position.

Responsibilities:
● Develop and present to the Board for approval an annual crop plan that
prioritizes crop rotation, soil fertility, and crop needs for community engagement,
educational programming and food access distribution.
● Determine and make supply, seed, tool, and equipment purchases as needed.
● Manage all growing and harvesting of crops on NCF's two sites using organic
practices: not limited to but including greenhouse seeding and seedling care,
direct seeding and transplanting, weed and pest management, soil fertility
management, irrigation, harvest, and post-harvest management.
● Coordinate volunteers, lead volunteer groups of a variety of ages and
backgrounds, lead the food access harvests, and work with volunteers on all
aspects of maintaining the farm (with support from the Farm Board).
● Oversee fiscal needs for the farm (farm operations budget and purchases).
● Participate in program planning and curriculum development as needed in the
non-growing season.
● Participate in periodic Board meetings as needed, and regular meetings with
contract education and program staff and farm oversight committees.
● Work closely with the Gardening Classes Instructor, affordable housing
gardening program instructors, and YMCA program facilitator on weekly planning
for classes including making sure all needed materials are available.
● Keep up-to-date and detailed records/spreadsheets on planting schedule,
produce distribution, and volunteer tracking.
● Provide assistance with data for grants as needed during fall and winter.
● Make limited public speaking appearances as needed for partnership building,
program advancement and fundraising purposes.
● Occasionally contribute photos and content to Farm website, blog, social media.

Required Qualifications:
●experience working with racially, ethnically, and economically diverse groups and sensitivity to issues of varying personal experience within a group
● Familiarity with food access issues, food system concerns and challenges
● Passion for youth leadership and social justice-driven programs At least two years experience working on a diversified vegetable/fruit farm or community garden; management experience preferred

● Knowledge of organic growing practices and sustainable agriculture

• Good interpersonal and communications skills with people of all ages;
• Good organizational and record keeping skills; familiarity with Google Drive and
• comfortable using Google Sheets/MS Excel
• Ability to work well independently, as well as in a team
• Good management skills with an ability to meet learners where they are
• A flexible schedule and ability to work some nights and weekends
• Proximity to Needham, reliable transportation, and computer/internet access
• (NCF has no physical office space)
• Ability to lift 50 lbs. routinely
• Willingness to work outdoors in all kinds of weather and to motivate volunteers to
• do the same
• Must pass a CORI/SORI check and have or be willing to complete CPR/First Aid certification

Compensation is hourly and depends on experience.

To Apply:

Please send a resume and cover letter to Debbie at info@needhamfarm.org. For more information about NCF go to www.needhamfarm.org

Needham Community Farm is an equal opportunity employer.