Company description

Our Mission

The purpose of ONF&P is to end hunger in the communities we serve through food distribution, education, and advocacy. To this end, ONF&P implements three inter-related programs: a food pantry, a garden, and a garden education program.

Our Organization

Our Neighbors Farm & Pantry (ONF&P) is a small non-profit that plays an important leadership role in addressing hunger in our community. Based on the strong belief that more can be accomplished by working collaboratively, ONF&P emphasizes partnership development and cooperation with other food security-related organizations.

ONF&P’s food pantry, which began operations in 2008, now provides food to over 2000 people each month. Food is distributed directly to pantry clients, directly to low income communities and housing developments, and through other charitable organizations such as Meals on Wheels and Wellness Connection. The Pantry distributed over 262,000 pounds of food in 2016 and is projected to distribute over 300,000 pounds of food in 2018.

ONF&P’s 1.3-acre garden was started in 2012 in part to provide fresh, nutritious vegetables and fruit to pantry clients. It also includes a small ornamental garden demonstrating low water use. The garden was sited and designed specifically for education. In addition to the Safford garden, ONF&P recently acquired a 3.5-acre property with housing and the potential for other farming or related activities.

ONF&P is committed to helping children learn about and experience healthy eating, gardening, and nature study. Through a partnership with local elementary schools, students participate in both classroom learning and hands-on experience at the farm, sowing seeds, planting seedlings, weeding beds, and harvesting vegetables. This program is scheduled for expansion during the 2018-2019 school year.

ONF&P recently formed a consortium with three other local organizations to jointly host AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) teams that assist consortium members in addressing specific community needs. The NCCC crews are housed in living quarters owned, developed, and managed by ONF&P. These quarters, Cactus House and Cactus Bunkhouse, are now available for housing interns, employees, AmeriCorps NCCC crews, and AmeriCorps State members.

Over the past year, ONF&P has put considerable effort into building organizational sustainability. Increased focus on fundraising resulted in ONF&P being awarded first prize for “funds raised by a small, rural organization” on Arizona Gives Day 2018. Successful grant applications led to the purchase of a refrigerated box truck that allows ONF&P to access and distribute more food. The replacement of an old walk-in cooler and installation of solar panels significantly lowered utility bills, freeing funds for other uses.

Job description

Our Neighbors Farm & Pantry (ONF&P), a non-profit organization, seeks a full-time teaching farm manager to manage the day-to-day operations of Our Neighbors Farm and expand its garden-based education program. We seek a highly motivated person with a knowledge of organic gardening practices and experience in providing garden education to children.

Key Responsibilities / Essential Functions

The major responsibilities of the teaching farm manager include, but are not limited to:

Garden Production

As the person with primary responsibility for production in ONF&P’s garden, the teaching farm manager schedules crops, manages controlled environments, propagates and plants, controls weeds and pests, maintains the soil, irrigates and fertilizes crops, and harvests. S/he maintains implements, hoop houses, the greenhouse, the composter, the irrigation system, and other farm equipment. The teaching farm manager also conducts some variety trials and maintains all garden-related records. This is both a management and hands-on position.

Education Program Management

The teaching farm manager liaises with select elementary schools and teachers to plan educational programs, manage teaching resources, and teach classes. S/he is responsible for maintaining records related to the education program.

Volunteer Supervision

The teaching farm manager organizes, trains, and supervises the garden and education support teams, including both garden and teaching program volunteers as well as AmeriCorps State members and AmeriCorps NCCC teams. These groups help the teaching farm manager maximize the education program and keep the garden producing at full capacity.

Ideal Skills and Qualities

• Demonstrated experience in horticulture and organic gardening, including knowledge of special conditions in the southwest
• Experience in STEM, environmental or natural sciences education
• Experience in managing and inspiring volunteers
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and coordination skills, including the ability to set objectives and timelines and manage tasks against a project plan
• Ability to troubleshoot, resolve problems, and adjust in response to changing conditions
• Demonstrated mechanical ability, including ability to make minor repairs and maintain farm equipment in good working condition
• Knowledge of irrigation systems
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to work in a challenging outdoor environment year-round

For a full position description visit ourneighborsfarm.org/careers/

Compensation

this position is: salaried, less than $50,000

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline