Farm Manager

Founded in 2002, in Springfield, MA, Gardening the Community (gardeningthecommunity.org) (GTC), a fiscally sponsored project of TSNE (tsne.org), is a food justice organization engaged in youth development, urban agriculture and sustainable living to build healthy and equitable communities.  GTC works with youth to grow food on vacant lots and organizes to expand healthy, affordable food access in the Mason Square neighborhoods of Springfield. GTC’s vision includes building a vibrant, healthy food system with just and equal access to it – one that recognizes and addresses inequity - so racism no longer determines the health or well-being of a neighborhood or community.

The Farm Manager is an integral position at Gardening the Community, stewarding and supporting multiple urban farming sites in Springfield.

Essential Functions

Farm and Distribution

• Grow a variety of vegetables to be distributed through the Farm Store and CSA program - maximizing production using sustainable growing techniques - growing at least 10% of the culturally relevant vegetables sold through our social enterprises;
• Develop and implement a crop plan that reflects the needs of our social enterprises and our community; and a plan to realize this plan through our current assets;
• Manage our Urban Farm sites including: a greenhouse and 2 pieces of land to promote productivity, infrastructure improvement, and beautiful appearance
  • 1 acre of land at Walnut Street
  • ¼ acre of land at Hancock Street
  • 800 square foot greenhouse at Walnut Street
• Maintain and improve fertility and safety of the soil through farming practices;
• Work with the GTC Management team to identify the amounts, timing, and types of produce that can be grown for the Farmstore and GTC CSAs;
• Work with GTC's Asst. Director of Youth Leadership to incorporate on site learning into youth programming curriculum;
• Distribute produce to GTC Farm Store & CSA Program through weekly produce deliveries;
• Determine potential for expanded production and distribution to markets beyond GTC’s social enterprises;
• Supervise and educate GTC staff and volunteers who are working on the land;
• Partner work with GTC Volunteer Coordinator to manage integration of volunteers into appropriate on-farm work;
• Including identifying farm work opportunities that provide the best learning opportunities for and make the best use of the skill set of GTC;
• Work with the Farm Store/Food Access Manager and Asst. Director of Youth Leadership under the leadership of the executive director to schedule pop-up markets from July through October (site set-up, stand step-up, and systems, accounting, EBT/WIC management);
• Manage and operate a series of mobile farm stands for Springfield residents during July -September;
• Support relationship with Mass Department of Agriculture Resources, Department of Transitional Assistance, NOFA, NRCS, and other entities as necessary;
• Manage maintenance and upkeep of greenhouse, sheds and other Farm real estate;
• Drive GTC refrigerated truck and passenger van, as needed.

Community Engagement

• Continue to build positive relationships with neighbors, partner organizations, teachers, and students.

Administrative & Organizational

• Create and maintain crop planning, seed order, and harvest plan documents;
• Track outputs and outcomes needed to report to organization and funders;
• Participate in annual planning and development and management of budget;
• Provide and receive feedback to all team members;
• Serve as an active member of the GTC team by participating in the planning, team meetings and evaluation of all GTC Food Production and Food Access activities;
• Serve as an active member of GTC by participating in the planning, team meetings, and evaluation of all relevant GTC activities.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to GTC Executive Director;
• Supervises staff, youth, and volunteers in farm work.

We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below.

• At least 3 years of experience managing and/or operating a vegetable farm;
• Deep understanding of hunger related issues;
• Experience in organic crop production/agriculture;
• Experience organizing volunteer groups safely and productively;
• Experience leading or teaching young people in an outdoor setting;
• Experience working in a multicultural environment;
• Greenhouse management experience;
• Experience with and interest in teaching about sustainable agriculture;
• Proficient with basic power and hand tools;
• Willing to work flexible schedules - more hours during the growing season, less in winter;
• Valid driver's license and willingness to drive large vehicles in the city;
• Successful Driver’s License Check;
• Successful Background/CORI Check;
• Bilingual Spanish, preferred.

Competencies

• Excellent organizational skills;
• Strong capacity to work both independently and in teams, with ability to explain processes clearly and support co-workers’ successful participation in them;
• Dependable, responsible, independent, and open to learning;
• Team-oriented individual with a good sense of humor;
• Comfortable and familiar in talking about Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, multi-site environment.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those for this position. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Work is performed on a farm and in close proximity to other workers, following appropriate COVID safety and social distancing guidelines.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to:

• Work on an outdoor farm site
• Able to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions, including heat
• Handle, or feel objects, tools or controls;
• Reach; traverse; sit (usually for longer periods of time); frequently ascend/descend; bend; and position self (to) move;
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds, repeatedly;
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate;
• Follow proper safety measures in a farm environment.

Regarding COVID-19: TSNE considers the health and safety of our employees of the utmost importance, and due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and subject to your state and local laws, our policy requires that all employees performing in-person work at a TSNE designated space or facility are fully vaccinated. For the purpose of this policy, fully vaccinated indicates that you have received a single dose of the Janssen vaccine, or both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. Certain exemptions may be requested and will be considered by Human Resources.

Compensation and Benefits

Location: Work will be primarily performed at Urban Farm sites located in Springfield, MA. 

Hours: Hours per week: 37.5 hours on average, varies across seasons.

Compensation: The pay range for this position is $38,000 - $44,000/yr and is commensurate with experience.

Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package including:

• Generous Paid-Time-Off (PTO): 12 paid holidays, 3 weeks vacation, 1 week personal holiday, and sick time for full-time staff;
• 80% Employer-paid, $0 deductible Health Insurance through Harvard Pilgrim;
• Low-cost MetLife Dental and Vision;
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health and Dependent Care;
• Employer-paid Life, Long- and Short-Term Disability Insurance;
• Employer-paid Pension through TIAA;
• Access to fresh food;
• ...and more!

TSNE/GTC envisions a society grounded in the principles of social and economic justice. As such, we strive to achieve excellence through a diverse and inclusive workplace that honors the unique talents and lived experiences of each person. Our vision and values are reflected in all our employment-related decisions, including hiring practices. Accordingly, TSNE actively seeks people who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives to join us in our work.

As an EOE/AA employer, TSNE/GTC will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin or ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic information, veteran or disability status or any other factor prohibited by law.