Garden Manager

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Position: Garden Manager

Reports to: Operations Director

Salary Range: $25-$28 per hour

Organization Description:

Food For Thought (FFT) is a grassroots nonprofit that provides comprehensive nutrition services to people in Sonoma County affected by HIV and other serious illnesses. Programs include weekly groceries, medically tailored meals, vitamins and supplements, and nutrition education. Located in Forestville, FFT operates with a staff of 24 and over 600 active volunteers. The values of diversity, inclusion, respect, dignity, and compassion are deeply ingrained in the agency’s culture and services.

Position Description:

Food For Thought’s food bank facility is surrounded by 20-year-old organic gardens that produces vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers, as well as a place of beauty and respite, for Food For Thought clients. The garden’s harvest is distributed to clients as part of their weekly grocery orders, and is utilized for our Loving Spoonful prepared foods program.

The Garden Manager is responsible for the ongoing evolution, maintenance and care of the Food For Thought gardens, orchards, and landscapes. The Manager works in collaboration with Food For Thought staff, and supervises garden volunteers. This is an exempt, 16 to 20 hour/week position

Schedule: Saturdays and one or two days mid-week.

Responsibilities Include:

• Plans and manages planting, care, and harvesting of gardens, orchard, and landscapes
• Works collaboratively with food bank staff to select, grow, and harvest vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers for distribution to food bank clients and used for FFT’s cooking, congregate lunch, u-pick, and other programs.
• Establishes and maintains standards and practices; provides direction, training and motivation for the garden volunteers
• Manages and supports overall plant health and soil nutrition strategies to include organic and sustainable gardening and watering practices; oversees pest management
• Oversees preparation of compost and management of worm bins and worm castings
• Works collaboratively with the Food Bank Manager, Director of Community Engagement and other staff
• Works with direct supervisor to prepare a yearly budget; oversee purchasing of needed plants and supplies
• Ensures appropriate garden preparation for events taking place at the food bank

Qualifications:

• Passion for Food For Thought’s mission to provide nutrition to people living with HIV and other serious illnesses
• 3 years of organic gardening experience with a wide range of food, flower, and herb crops; ideally some experience managing a production or nonprofit garden
• Ability to work well with minimal supervision and to work cooperatively with others
• Experience supervising volunteers; ability to supervise and teach with clarity and respect
• Valid California driver’s license, access to a registered vehicle, and proof of insurance
• Sensitivity to people living with HIV and other medical conditions
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to stand, reach, lift, bend, kneel, climb, push/pull items up to 50 pounds, climb a ladder, work strenuously and in all weather conditions
• Interest in healthy eating, sustainable agriculture practices, and farm-to-table cooking
• Good stress management skills, flexibility, and a sense of humor
• Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred

How to Apply:

• Please send a cover letter describing your interest in the position. Food For Thought is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: $25.00 - $28.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Paid time off

COVID-19 considerations:
Vaccination and booster required. Masks are required in common areas of the food bank.

Experience:

• Gardening: 3 years (Preferred)

Work Location: One location