Company description Stanton Home has been providing care for people with diverse abilities since 1986. We are located on Route 41 in Great Barrington in an old farmhouse on 10 acres of land which includes  an organic vegetable garden, a weavery and a working farm. We are dedicated to providing care to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We believe that all people have the right to lead fulfilling and meaningful lives. Our goal is to create an environment where staff, volunteers, people with special needs, friends and family can all participate in life here to the fullest extent possible. Job description

The garden program leader position is a dynamic job that involves the planning and management of a ½ acre garden with several acres available for expansion, working with individuals with special needs, as well as coordinating staff and volunteers for land use tasks. The garden program leader is responsible for planning work activities and working with program participants, staff and volunteers. The garden program leader is also the primary grower and is responsible for overseeing the garden plan and finishing any tasks not completed during group activities.

Our goal is to produce as many vegetables and herbs as possible for use by our community and to engage our program participants in as many steps of the process as possible. The vegetables are primarily used for daily day program lunches that serve 30+ people, pickling and canning, as well as distribution to our residential houses.

The Stanton Home plans to expand vegetable production to provide more meaningful work and food for the growing number of participants in our program. The property is farmland previously used for livestock; several acres sit in cover crop and have the potential for cultivation.

The Stanton Home seeks an individual capable of managing the existing garden and educational program with the knowledge and direction to expand the operation.

 

Responsibilities

• Management and expansion of growing sites, which include a small greenhouse used for seedling production, a 30 ft by 72 ft heated greenhouse, two 30 ft by 72 ft tunnels, and a newly established compost production project.
• Management and expansion of an active ½ acre garden for vegetables, herbs, and flowers.
• Plan and coordinate day program activities for adults with diverse abilities; our current program involves daily M-F activities for program participants with a growing need for physical activities as well as processing, cultivation, and related activities. Coordination requires working with administrative and day program staff as well as volunteers.
• Contribute to menu-planning with program coordinator to ensure seasonal menus that maximize the use of produce.
• Create engaging environment of learning and skill-building for adults with special needs.

 

Requirements

• Experience and confidence as a grower and gardener.
• Ability to work independently in conjunction with program coordinator to oversee greenhouse, garden, culinary and overall systems of the day program
• Ability to be a self-starter and execute projects.
• Follow through on completion of any and all activities beyond what is completed in programming with participants. This requires flexibility in hours and strong communication with program coordinator and day staff.
• Flexibility and patience; as we work in a dynamic community, there are fluctuations in scheduling and programs that are to be communicated between program coordinator and staff in a private and professional manner.  
• Experience in education and/or special needs individuals preferred but not required.
• Housing is available on-site if so desired - accommodation needs to be discussed in interview

Compensation this position is : contract Application instructions Deadlineno deadline