FEAST FARM - FARM MANAGER - MONTPELIER, VT
Position Description
The City of Montpelier Community Services Department seeks a Farm Manager to oversee the food production at the FEAST Farm program for the 2023 season. The Farm Manager is responsible for planning, growing, harvesting, and coordinating the delivery of food on the farm. They will also be responsible for supervising the wide range of parks staff, volunteers and school groups working on the farm. Because the farm program is only entering its fourth year, we are looking for a Farm Manager who can think creatively, is excited about working towards food justice, and has strong communication skills.
About FEAST Farm
The Montpelier Community FEAST Farm is a collaborative program of Montpelier’s Community Services divisions: Parks, Recreation, and the Montpelier Senior Activity Center (MSAC). FEAST Farm grows nutritious, local food for our food-insecure neighbors. Specifically, it grows food for the FEAST Meals Program at MSAC, to stock a low-income farm stand, to stock a free community fridge, and for a variety of different community groups on an on-demand basis. Additionally, we endeavor to bring people of all ages to the farm in order to provide them with meaningful work and volunteer experiences, and to educate them about sustainable agriculture. The site consists of a one-acre, no-till, market-garden style farm located at the confluence of the Steven’s Branch and the Winooski River.
Key Responsibilities
• Manage food production
o Collaborate with Community Services Department staff to solidify a planting plan
o Collaborate with Community Services Department staff to start/buy seedlings
o Oversee growing, harvesting, washing and distribution of the food
o Oversee maintenance of farm infrastructure and tools
o Purchase any necessary tools/materials
o Keep track of the quantity, value and destination of the distributed food
o Create a planting plan for next season based off of this season’s experience
o Put the farm “to bed” at the end of the season
• Lead volunteers
o Prepare farm tasks for the Montpelier Youth Conservation Corps (MYCC)
o Lead volunteers of all ages and abilities
o Tailor work to people’s abilities and interests
• Communicate with collaborators
o Communicate with the Montpelier Senior Activity Center (MSAC) about food needs of the FEAST Meals Program and the low-income farm stand
o Coordinate school group visits
• Coordinate volunteer times with the Community Services Department Staff
• Grow food for the yearly Harvest Dinner, which will take place on September 23rd.
This job is 32-hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8am - 4:30pm. It runs early April- late September. Start and end dates are flexible.
Qualifications
• Experience in annual vegetable production, no-till growing practices, and at least two years of farm experience.
o Knowledge of diverse herb and vegetable varieties, care, and harvest
o Ability to ID pest/disease damage and implement action using organic methods
o Experience with farm equipment including basic hand tools and small engines
• Experience leading a crew or volunteer groups, ability to organize diverse groups of people
• Passion for food justice issues
• Strong emotional intelligence and good communication skills
• Willingness to do physical work in all weather
• Strong work ethic
• Reliable transportation
Pay and Benefits
• This is a paid position at $20/hour.
• All the “seconds” vegetables and herbs you can eat!
• The City of Montpelier is an equal-opportunity employer.
• Potential to make this a 40/hr per week position based off the interest of the candidate
To apply, please email a resume, cover letter, and two professional references to Leila Faulstich-Hon at [email protected].