Company description

Shalom Farms is a non-profit organization that seeks to build healthier communities by connecting people to fresh produce and hands-on farm experiences. We work with thousands of volunteers from all backgrounds each year to produce more than 200,000 pounds of produce. We distribute this produce throughout the Richmond area through a variety of food access programs and partnerships.

Job description

Shalom Farms is excited to announce the creation of a new position to assist with our on-farm volunteer and education program. The position reports directly to our Volunteer and Education Manager and will assist with the coordination and management of all volunteers in order to assure the completion of farm work. This position will also lead educational field trips for students and visitors that come to the farm to learn about topics related to agriculture. When not doing work related to volunteer management or education, this person will assist in general farm work as assigned. This is a seasonal (March-November), full-time (approximately 40hr/week) position on Shalom’s 12 acre farm in Powhatan, VA. The ideal candidate will be knowledgeable about sustainable agriculture techniques and able to confidently share this information with volunteers and visitors of all ages. 

 

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Manage and work alongside individual volunteers and volunteer groups in completion of daily farm tasks
2. Lead educational programming including farm tours and lessons for visitors of all ages
3. Assist with email communication and scheduling of volunteers and visiting groups
4. Perform data entry pertaining to volunteer participation at the farm
5. Help with implementation of evaluation of the volunteer experience at the farm
6. Participate in general farm labor as assigned. Typical tasks include sowing, planting, harvesting, amending soil, washing/packing produce, and field preparation/maintenance. 
7. Help with the general organization and maintenance of all farm equipment and outbuildings.   
8. Assist with overseeing interns and Farmers in Residence.

 

Candidate Qualities: 

• Loves meeting and working with new people
• Excellent leadership skills
• Enjoys educating about food justice issues and sustainable agriculture
• Is comfortable with and enjoys working with children
• Possesses strong and polished interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Ability to multi-task in highly stressful situations
• Willingness to work hard in difficult weather conditions
• Detail oriented with excellent organizational skills.
• Comfortable performing office tasks and proficient with Microsoft Office
• Comfortable with public speaking
• Willingness to work in difficult weather conditions. 
• Ability to lift 50 pounds. 

 

Experience:

• A minimum of 1 year farming experience required. 
• Bachelor’s degree or one or more years of professional/lived experience in education, public health, agriculture, social work and/or similar field preferred. 
• Experience working with diverse groups, including ability to reach across racial, ethnic, generational, socioeconomic, rural/urban and religious lines. 
• Supervisory/management experience preferred. 

Compensation:
The hourly wage for this position will be $14-$16 per hour, commensurate with experience. The position is 35-45 hours per week, and includes some Saturday work.
 

For more information, feel free to email, visit our website www.shalomfarms.org, or find us on Facebook and Instagram (@shalomfarms).

Compensation this position is : hourly Application instructions Deadlineno deadline