Farm Share Assistant The Good Acre
- Date Posted March 14, 2019
- Location Falcon Heights, MN
- Category Agriculture / Nonprofit
- Job type Summer Job
Company Description: The Good Acre (TGA) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization whose mission is to connect and strengthen farmers, food makers, and communities through good food. Its programs are designed to help improve marketplace opportunities for small local farmers, giving more consumers greater access to healthy produce, and making the local economy more resilient. With culinary training, grower support services, cooking classes, a 500-member farm share program, commercial kitchen rental used by 20 small batch food businesses, warehousing, and the operation of a robust wholesale program, The Good Acre is an example of what an innovative food hub can do. For more information,
visit thegoodacre.org.
Summary and job duties
This part-time, seasonal appointment supports the Farm Share and Communications Managers. Responsibilities for this job include executing weekly communications to farm share members, distributing shares on pick-up day, and warehouse maintenance duties during our 18-week Farm Share program. This position requires customer service and writing skills, as well as the ability to be on one’s feet for hours at a time. The person in this role needs to be comfortable interacting with farmers, volunteers, TGA staff, and Farm Share members, and be enthusiastic about good food.
Member Support
- Staff Farm Share pick-up on Wednesdays; answer members’ questions pertaining to vegetables, cooking, and farms supplying produce
- Be helpful, respectful, approachable, and a team player
Communications
- Draft weekly Farm Share newsletter(s) using MailChimp platform
- Prepare communications materials for Student Farm Share Program
- Send member surveys half way through and at the end of the program
- Record member comments for annual reporting and testimonial log
Warehouse Maintenance
- Assist volunteer team with Tuesday box packing; lead box-building volunteers
- Awareness of and willingness to train others on necessary food safety practices
- Set up packing area for share assembly
- Help keep produce inventory properly stored and organized
- Properly separate, label, and move produce upon delivery
Qualifications
This position calls for someone whose experience demonstrates an interest in and knowledge of food and farming. A key part of this position will be to share information, storage tips, recipes and ideas on what to do with farm share produce in our weekly member newsletter. Previous work experience within the food system is a plus.
Must be available to work 8 hours Tuesdays and Wednesdays June-October.
The skills desired for this position include:
- Strong customer service orientation
- Highly motivated with ability to take initiative
- Ability to work independently as well as be a supportive team member
- Ability to lift 40+ lbs. and perform manual labor for 3+ hours at a time
- Ability to work with people from different cultures
- Strong writing and formatting skills; experience using MailChimp a plus
Education and Experience
- High School diploma or equivalent
- Basic knowledge of locally grown produce and Minnesota’s growing season