Mill City Grows (MCG) was founded in 2011 as a catalyst for food justice, ensuring that all people of Lowell have access to culturally connected food, land, and education. Our programs have grown from a single community garden to include: food, nutrition and advocacy education for people of all ages; community, school, and market gardens; working urban farms; mobile markets and farm shares; and above all encouraging and supporting people to grow their own food. MCG infuses food production spaces with food education to increase food sovereignty, universal access to fresh produce, and promote environmental sustainability throughout Lowell. 

Our ideal candidate has diverse farming experiences, is eager to share their skills with others and guide our transition into a shared community farm. This position will support our team in food production and development of sustainable farming practices (ie. low-tillage, soil fertility, and season extension). This role calls for an individual who is excited to welcome community members to the farm as growers, volunteers, and students. We look for someone who will lead our collaborative educational team environment with joy and inclusivity. We seek a passionate teacher and a considerate learner that is eager to exchange ideas among all our staff, market gardeners, and community members. In this space, we value cross-departmental communication, skill sharing across disciplines, and humility in our leadership. 

Some projects the UFM will oversee include: 1) Creation and execution of annual crop plan for summer and winter production, growing on roughly 1.5 cultivated acres which includes three high tunnels, managing crew schedules and volunteer opportunities 2) Active collaboration with our Growers’ Aid program to center immigrant, refugee and other small growers. Support Grower’s Aid Team in providing site based assistance as needed, and working to integrate culturally connected produce grown on their plots into our food distribution programs. 3) Working with food access crew and diverse growers from Southeast Asian, African diaspora and Latinx communities to design and oversee in-field trials of various cultural crops, to document best methods for growing in the New England climate, and disseminating findings to other growers with the goal of increasing crop availability in the region. 

Responsibilities:  

20% Supervision: Staff includes two full-time staff, and seasonal workers.  Includes oversight and training and culture setting.

50% Program management: Planning and implementation of crop plan, harvest schedules, and field work. Collaboration with other Mill City Grows programs. 

30% Business management: Annual budget creation and management, grant goal tracking and record keeping

To learn more about this position: CLICK HERE