Company description

Youth. Food. Community. Three important issues that intersect in one place: The Food Project. Here, we believe that food is a unique vehicle for creating personal and social change. Nothing else ties us so intimately to each other and the planet we share, affecting our health, the climate, culture, and poverty and privilege around the globe. If we - young and old from all walks of life  can unite to change the food system, we can change the world. From our urban and suburban farms to our community education programs, we aim to do just that by bringing together youth and adults from diverse backgrounds who work together to build local and sustainable food systems. 

 

Since 1991, The Food Project has built a national model of engaging young people in personal and social change through sustainable agriculture. Each year, we work with more than 120 teenagers and hundreds of volunteers to farm on 70 acres in eastern Massachusetts in Wenham, Lincoln, Boston, and Lynn. We consider our hallmark to be our focus on identifying and transforming a new generation of leaders by placing teens in unusually responsible roles, with deeply meaningful work. In addition, we help others grow their own food and provide training resources based on all we have learned.

Job description

What We Seek

The Wenham Farm & Community Manager plays an integral role in working closely with the Associate Director of Farms & Food, Youth Development Managers, Community Programs Manager, and our youth. The Wenham Farm & Community Manager will manage a 33-acre farm (5 acres in production) while supervising our farming partners, a full-time seasonal Assistant Growers, engage and teach with high school-aged youth crews, and facilitate volunteer groups and individuals on the farm.  

 

Responsibilities

Farm and Distribution (70%)

• Farm Operations - Manage several acres of our farm in Wenham.  Includes crop planning, cultivation of annuals/perennials/harvest, soil fertility (through regenerative farming practices), weed/disease/pest management, greenhouse (Glen Urquhart School)/season extension, field and bed preparation, equipment (with our Office and Facilities Manager), irrigation, maintain records
• Distribution - Manage our wholesale accounts, food access distribution, CSA, pilots, produce to Lynn distribution, etc.  
• Land Stewardship - Manage partner relationships (leaseholders, community members, institutional partners, the earth, etc.)
• Collaboration - Manage and pilot potential collaborations with other farms, native communities, institutions, and individuals around farms and food distribution.  
• Education - Integrate and educate Seed, Dirt, and Root Crew youth around Farms and Food.  

 

Staff Management (5%)

• Seasonal Staff - Hire and directly supervise seasonal Assistant Grower.
• Volunteers - Partner with our Development Associate to manage Serve & Grow, our volunteer program.  

 

Community Engagement (10%)

• Work Share & Individual Volunteers - Onboard and supervise Work-for-Share members and individual volunteers during the spring and fall.
• Individual Community Relations - Continue to build positive relationships with neighbors of the farm, the surrounding community, and with school staff, teachers, and students at the Glen Urquhart School, where we have Greenhouse space.  
• Institutional Community Relations - Manage relationships with the Town of Wenham, including the Conservation Commission and other partners around land use.

 

Organizational Health (15%)

• Participate in our justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Prepare and participate in structured, regular feedback sessions.
• Participate in all-staff meetings, team meetings, and provide cross-department support.
• Participate in annual planning, budgeting, and performance review processes.
• Perform other duties as needed, within capacity. 

 

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of experience managing and/or operating a mixed vegetable farm.
• Experience in sustainable 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.
• 21 years of age or older (to allow use of TFP vehicles).
• Valid driver's license and willingness to drive large vehicles in the city.  

 

Location & Schedule

This position will be based at our Wenham site and The Food Project Lynn Office, with some options for remote work during winter.  There is some flexibility of position start date. 

 

Lynn Farm Manager Work Schedule

• January – 20 hours/week
• February – 20 hours/week
• March – 35 hours/week
• April – 50 hours/week
• May – 55 hours/week
• June – 55 hours/week
• July – 50 hours/week
• August – 50 hours/week
• September – 50 hours/week
• October – 45 hours/week
• November – 30 hours/week
• December – 20 hours/week

Compensation

this position is: salaried, varies DOE, $48,000.00 - $55,225.00

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline