Job description

Aprovecho is seeking an individual to fill a full-time (32 hours /week) seasonal Garden Manager position. This seasonally contracted position begins on February 15th, 2012 and ends on November 15th, 2012. Housing and shared / subsidized utilities are provided on-site (see Benefits below for details).

ABOUT

Aprovecho is a non-profit education center located on a 40-acre piece of rural property in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Aprovecho organizes, teaches, and hosts residential hands-on education programs that include Permaculture Design, Natural Building, and Sustainable Living Skills.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants MUST have:

• At least three full seasons experience farming or gardening.
• Adequate physical strength and endurance to lift, dig, fork, carry, and perform other demanding tasks related to farming.
• The ability to schedule and facilitate the work of volunteers, work-traders, and WWOOFers in the garden.
• The ability to organize and lead group projects in the garden. This will include working both with adults, teens, and children.
• The ability to lead public and private tours in which you can clearly and cohesively present Aprovecho’s garden management techniques, ethics, and purpose.
• Experience with and willingness to tend Chickens and Ducks as part of Aprovecho’s fertility and pest management systems.
• A commitment to open and honest communication with Aprovecho staff, students, and supervisors.
• Two job related references, and two personal references.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with adults in an educational / instructional environment.
• Interest in agricultural experimentation and evaluation.
• Experience living communally (co-housing, etc.).
• An understanding in the use of non-violent communication.
• Familiarity with or certificate in Permaculture.
• Ability and interest in teaching courses related to agriculture in Aprovecho’s education programs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Aprovecho expects the following of the Garden Manager:

• To plan the garden in a way that produces seasonal crops available for harvest 10-12 months of the year.
• To assemble and manage a core crew of volunteers / work traders / WOOFERs as the main source of labor assistance in the garden
• To use no synthetic fertilizers or biocides and introduce only organic products to the soil.
• Maintain long-term fertility of Aprovecho’s soils by using crop rotations, cover cropping, amendments of animal manures and compost.
• Maintain a weekly updated harvest map and harvesting instructions to the kitchen manager and larger community.
• Meet regularly and maintain clear and timely communication with the Kitchen Manager and Food Buyer regarding garden planning, harvesting techniques, and crop availability.
• Be attentive and mindful of maintaining positive and respectful interactions with all of Aprovecho’s residential students and staff.
• Meet regularly and take direction from the Steering Committee members assigned as liaisons to the Garden Manager position.
• Meet regularly, communicate openly, and exhibit strong leadership and organization in regards to working with volunteers, work-traders, or WWOOFers assigned to the Garden.
• To understand that while Aprovecho’s organizational structure is run by the consensus of a Steering Committee, the Garden Manager (in their first year) is considered a seasonal position and will not participate in decision making outside of the purview of the garden
• Representing Aprovecho in a positive light to all garden clientele as ambassadors of a portion of Aprovecho’s greater agriculture programs.
• To solicit donations of seeds and other garden materials.

Duties

• Grow enough to maintain a consistent supply of fresh produce (and eggs) to be used by Aprovecho’s kitchen staff in preparing daily meals for up to 35 adults during Aprovecho’s programs
• Maintaining succession plantings of high demand crops like salad mix, carrots, peas, and green beans.
• Plant full season, storage, and overwintering crops to ensure the availability of fresh / stored produce late into the winter / spring.Care for and manage a flock of laying hens, ducks, and roosters
• Raise seasonal plant starts for our hydroponics bed in our greenhouse.
• Cover crop and/or mulch all beds that are to remain not in production over the winter months.
• Maintain the deer fence and gates around the garden.
• Assist the land stewardship coordinator in pruning the fruit trees, shrubs, and vines in within the garden fence.
• Maintain main and secondary garden pathways to be free of debris, tall grass, and trip/slip hazards
• Limiting all weed seed dispersal through consistent hand cultivation and mowing.
• Limit pest infestations through appropriate and safe means.
• Maintaining a clean and safe area by cleaning and putting away all tools and materials after use.
• Maintaining an orderly garden shed.
• Meet weekly with volunteers, work-traders, and WWOOFers to assign tasks and responsibilities for the week

COMPENSATION

Aprovecho offers a unique experience to live and work with with other highly effective, skilled, and dedicated individuals and families. There are many benefits intrinsic to living and working for a functioning sustainability education center on a 30 year-old, 40-acre, million dollar campus.

• A total compensation package of $13,824 divided over 9 monthly payments of $1,536.00
• Access to all buildings and facilities at Aprovecho
• A 680 square foot, two-story house on campus.
• Subsidized food and utilities at a fixed cost to you of $100 / month per adult.
• In summary, you will receive a gross monthly check for $1536. Your rent, $768, and your food/utility payment, $100 will be deducted leaving you a gross total (before taxes) of $668 per month.

Compensation

this position is:

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline