Sprout City Farms is a 501c3 agriculture and education nonprofit founded in 2010 with a mission to create a just, equitable, sustainable local food system by:

• growing and distributing fresh, local produce
• providing community education
• training farmers
• facilitating ecological stewardship & research

We envision a thriving local food system supported by a network of accessible farms which nourish, and are nourished by, their surrounding communities.

Our newest farm at Jack's Solar Garden (JSG), built in 2021, is a unique site with an emphasis on agrivoltaic (or agri-solar) research and education. Please follow the integrated links to learn more about our organization, our partnership at Jack’s and the meaning of “agrivoltaic.”
 

The primary focus of this role will be the University of Arizona (UofA) research plots which are managed by Sprout City Farms in collaboration with a UofA research staff person who works onsite. The research program is designed to evaluate the relative success of vegetable crops in the variable microclimate under the solar panels. While training for the specifics of the research plots will be provided, any background in science (or other data-centric, record-keeping experience) will be helpful to understanding the needs of the project.

SCF is also piloting a 3-acre agrivoltaic CSA farm plot (Community Supported Agriculture) onsite, and coordination and collaboration of staff, infrastructure and material resources is essential to creating a cohesive team.  The Assistant Research Farm Manager position will work under the Research Farm Manager, who oversees both the UofA plots and the CSA farm plots, and closely with the Assistant CSA Farm Manager to ensure smooth operation of this novel and exciting project. This position will also help manage several apprentices as well as occasional interns from NREL, one of our research partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Field Work Farm Operations (70%): 

• Assist in greenhouse seeding, field planting, cultivating, harvesting, and processing crops primarily in the University of Arizona(UofA) research plot.
• Understand and implement the UofA research crop plan as set by the Research Farm Manager. Learn the idiosyncrasies of farming for data collection and keep precise records of planting, irrigation and harvest. 
• Assist with daily and seasonal farm upkeep, including:
  • irrigation system upgrades & maintenance.
  • weeding, grass cutting, mulching, composting, pathway maintenance.
  • cleaning and organizing washstation and food storage areas. 
• Collaborate with Research Farm Manager and Assistant CSA Manager in creating daily, weekly and seasonal work plans, lead teams in the field, share constructive observations, and ask for help as needed. 
• Basic tool and equipment maintenance (training provided), including proper use and care of BCS (walk-behind tractor)

Community Engagement & Education (20%):

• Farmer Training: teach, lead and work alongside farm apprentices and interns serving as a role model & pace setter for farm work.
•  Enthusiastically engage with guests and help them understand what they are seeing and why it is interesting.  
• Assist in leading volunteer groups, Some weekend volunteer days will be required.
• Assist with weekly donations of farm surplus to food pantries.
• Assist in general outreach to the Longmont community as we build new relationships and connections. Attend occasional community outreach events to educate the public about Sprout City Farms and our research collaborations at Jack’s Solar Garden.

General & Administrative (10%):

• Collaborate with Research Farm Manager for accurate recordkeeping and reporting on farm outcomes, including written monthly updates to the Executive Director. 
• Maintain meticulous harvest logs, irrigation records, staff time logs, calendars and field notes.
• Participation in staff meetings and other meetings as needed.
• Adhere to SCF training in employee manual and food safety plan.

Desired Experience and Skills:

• Agricultural field experience (2+ years) on a sustainable, organic, and/or no-till diversified vegetable farm.
• Desire to take initiative and follow-through on tasks. Pragmatic and outcome-driven. 
• Strong organizational skills. For example: following work plans, multi-tasking, prioritizing, and keeping harvest logs/field notes.
• Solid written and verbal communication skills. 
  • Bilingual English/Spanish speaking and/or writing skills are an asset.  Please share with us if you have these skills and if you are interested in connecting with the Spanish speaking community in and around Longmont. 
• Enthusiasm to work on an experimental research farm. Ability to communicate positively and effectively to implement plans, assess results, make changes, learn from success and failure – and have fun doing it.
• Genuine interest in learning while doing. 
• Positive communication style and curiosity mindset.
• Team/crew leadership experience and/or willingness to lead small teams.
• Ability and willingness to speak in front of/lead volunteer and/or tour groups. 
• Physical stamina and flexibility. Ability and willingness to squat, bend and lift repeatedly throughout the work day. 
• Ability and willingness to drive a small pickup truck to deliver produce weekly to the nearby Boulder County Farmers Market (BCFM) warehouse and donations of surplus to the nearby OUR Center.
• Access to daily transportation and phone with text capability. Access to a computer and wifi to check & send work emails weekly (stipend provided for use of personal resources).

Time Commitment and Compensation
This is a seasonal full-time position (40 hours per week) beginning March 15 and ending November 15, 2023. Wages are based on $21/hour and include monthly stipends for health care and home office use for a total compensation of $31,425 for the time specified above. This position also receives a seasonal CSA share valued at $750+.

We believe that systemic inequalities disproportionately impact BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), women, people from working class backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, and other oppressed groups. Because we believe that these communities must be centered in our work as we fight for food justice for all, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other disenfranchised communities.