Job description

The Battery Conservancy is seeking an enthusiastic individual with significant farming experience to assist in running Battery Urban Farm in The Battery, the public park at the southern tip of Manhattan.

Battery Urban Farm, an educational project of The Battery Conservancy, is the first farm on this site since the Dutch planted theirs in 1625. Now in its third season, Battery Urban Farm is engaging elementary, middle, and high school students, as well as local community groups and individuals, in a hands-on experience of organic farming on one acre of parkland. Our vegetables, herbs, and cut flowers are donated to school cafeterias and used in our summer Farm Share.

We are seeking a knowledgable and hands-on farmer to oversee all farm maintenance and upkeep. This position reports directly to the Battery Urban Farm Project Manager. The Lead Farmer will also be responsible for managing farm interns, volunteers, and assisting with classes.

Applicants should have at least 2 seasons of farming experience; farm management experience is preferred. Applicants should also have experience working with youth, and should be comfortable in public speaking and leadership roles. This is a collaborative project with room for growth for the right individual.

Responsibilities:

• Plan and oversee, in consultation with the Project Manager, all aspects of vegetable production: planting, pruning, harvesting, weed and pest control, irrigation, compost, soil assessment and management
• Build and maintain farm structures
• Work with Farm Educator to plan students’ weekly farm work and assist with classes
• Organize and manage Farm Interns and volunteers
• Create and lead Farm Intern Curriculum
• Answer questions, lead tours, and explain the project to the public
• Full season commitment required, including some Saturdays

Qualifications:

• Minimum two full seasons farming experience; farm management experience preferred
• Basic carpentry skills
• Ability to lift up to 40 lbs. comfortably and to generally handle physically strenuous, repetitious tasks in a variety of weather conditions
• Ability to take initiative and make executive decisions related to all aspects of vegetable production
• Manage work hours effectively and experience supervising others
• Strong communication and organizational skills and a passion for horticulture and urban farming

Compensation

this position is:

Application instructions

Deadline

May 24, 2013