Farm Programs Manager

MISSION: Loveland Youth Gardeners (LYG) empowers youth facing challenges to cultivate life/work skills, environmental stewardship, and a spirit of community service, because everyone deserves to thrive. 

SUMMARY: The Farm Manager is responsible for overseeing all key operations on Loveland Youth Gardeners’ 0.6 acre urban farm. This youth-led farm is the primary site for LYG’s programming, which serves young people ages 3 – 21. In partnership with the Executive Director, the Farm Programs Manager will help to create and maintain an inclusive farm environment where young people are actively encouraged to participate in all aspects of farm operations with appropriate supervision and support. LYG utilizes organic farming practices, and emphasizes sustainability and environmental stewardship in its agricultural work. Our farm includes chickens and bees, and care for our animals is an important component of the role. You will be joining a small team that works closely together to ensure that farming operations serve the purpose of educating and empowering youth. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

The following are illustrative of the primary functions of this position and are not intended to be all inclusive:

Farm Operations

• Produce annual farm plans, including seed ordering and material acquisition;
• Develop, implement and manage an annual plan for the whole site (including community gardens, chickens, bees and other on-farm growing spaces) including production, marketing, and financial plans, in conjunction with LYG staff.
• Maintain all relevant crop records
• Plan and implement weekly planting schedule
• Facilitate farm team meetings, and oversee the seasonal work plan as well as weekly and daily “to do” lists
• Lead all aspects of crop production, including soil management and field preparation, greenhouse seeding and seedling management, transplanting, direct seeding, weeding, irrigation, harvesting and post-harvest handling of produce
• Plan weekly harvest schedule, lead harvest operations, and work collaborate with Operations Specialist to schedule volunteers for produce preparation and delivery
• Infrastructure planning, creation and maintenance
• Irrigation planning and implementation
• Oversee maintenance of farm implements, infrastructure, tools, and supplies, and budget for repairs, replacements, and upgrades
• Maintain farm infrastructure and landscape with the help of interns and volunteers
• Instruct students in farming/gardening skills
• Interact directly with youth during program hours to help facilitate collaborative farm work
• Regularly consult with youth and community members regarding their ideas for the farm space, and integrate feedback in collaboration with LYG team
• Participate in planning for long-term farm development
• Create and maintain LYG standards of production to ensure the highest quality produce
• Insect and weed control, fertility monitoring and general field observation
• Improve upon and implement fertility, weed, pest and disease management plans
• Integration of farm with programming
• Coordinate produce needs with culinary, market and educational programs
• Work in the farm, outdoor classroom, and office including hard repetitive physical work
• Assist Executive Director with grant writing and reporting for infrastructure and farm site specific grants
• Keep the farm hazard free (within reason) and regularly assess the farm for potential safety considerations. Work in conjunction with all staff to address safety concerns immediately
• Regularly take photos of the farm and ensure they are uploaded to the shared drive
• Provide farm-related content for LYG social media, newsletters, and annual report

Program Development

• Plan and supervise all aspects of all programs from inception to execution ensuring that all objectives are carried out on time and within budget.
• Creating budgets, guidelines and other documents for the program.
• Drafting reports on programs for ED and BOD as needed
• Act as a liaison and spokesperson for all programs

Intern & Volunteer Supervision

• Supervise farm interns and volunteers (patiently and respectfully) during relevant programming, events, and volunteer days with support from the Office & Volunteer Manager
• Train and supervise volunteers in all relevant aspects of crop production, harvesting, planting, etc in partnership with the Volunteer Manager
• Understand the importance of the volunteer-staff partnership and integrate the value of volunteerism in interactions with community members, volunteers, donors, and staff
• Develop and consistently maintain a task list for volunteers and staff
• Plan and facilitate Farm Work Days for: individual volunteers, volunteer groups, and corporate groups
• Review, correct (if/as needed), and sign off on volunteer community service hours for onsite volunteers at the farm
• Report all hours to the Office & Volunteer Manager
• Make copies of forms as needed and store on shared drive
• Track all volunteer hours on the farm and report to the Operations Specialist

Resource Development

• Develops and maintains effective relationships with partner organizations
• Cultivates relationships with families, volunteers, and program sponsors
• Keeps track of program data to aid with marketing, grant writing, and our annual report.

Budgeting & Reporting

• Attend at least one Board meeting per year
• Manage an annual farm budget in partnership with the Executive Director
• Maintain detailed and thorough records of farm expenses and income sources
• Collect data and monthly reports on production and activities, including harvest data and donations of produce
• Provide documentation for all purchases including receipts, invoice, etc.

Human Resource Management

• Works with Executive Director to oversee all aspects of recruitment, orientation, supervision and evaluation of program staff
• Demonstrates program staff and volunteer appreciation

Additional Tasks 

• Provide farm updates to team members managing marketing, website, and outreach
• Assist with operations at the Loveland Youth Campus (LYC) as needed. This may include:
• Basic office organization
• Indoor plant care
• Booking conference rooms and meeting spaces
• Coordinating with partners
• Attend and staff LYG events as needed/requested (may include occasional evening and weekend hours)
• Other duties as assigned

Compensation & Benefits of Working at LYG

• A varied and flexible schedule that includes time outdoors and in the garden with youth
• Support from a dedicated staff and BOD, as well as a great community of supporters and volunteers
• A fun and educational work environment
• Access to fresh produce, eggs and honey
• $6000 annual Health Reimbursement Stipend

Requirements:

• Minimum two years experience of full-season farm management
• Experience working in a team environment with proven leadership skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently
• Demonstrated organizational and record keeping skills
• Demonstrated farm planning experience and working knowledge of farm infrastructure
• Experience in growing using organic/biodynamic principles
• Basic carpentry skills or desire to learn
• Interest in working with youth and youth programs
• Demonstrated communication skills
• Ability to repeatedly lift 50 pounds
• Self-motivated, cooperative, and flexible
• Ability to responsibly manage administrative and record keeping tasks related to running the farm business and overall success of the organization
• Demonstrated ability to work within a diverse community (people of different ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds)
• Interest in teaching and desire to work with the public
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing crop plans
• Passion for working outdoors
• Ability to and work long hours in all types of weather conditions with seasonally heavy workloads
• Experience designing and implementing irrigation systems (including PVC piping, drip tape, sprinklers, misters) or desire to learn
• Demonstrated experience managing administrative and financial activities associated with crop production including well-developed budget
• Ability to manage multiple projects, set priorities, and adhere to strict deadlines
• Familiar and proficient with G-Suite (Google Drive, Sheets, Docs, Calendar, Gmail), Microsoft Office, Adobe and computer applications or willingness to learn
• Must be able to pass a background check and be eligible to work with youth per agency policies

CORE VALUES

• Positive relationships
• Respect for self, others, and environment
• Community Engagement
• Compassion
• Commitment
• Diversity
• Collaboration
• Interdependence