UGArden is a student-run organic farm at the University of Georgia. Our mission is to: 1) teach students to grow using organic practices through experiential learning. 2) share healthy sustainably grown food with members of the local community who are facing food insecurity. 3) provide an opportunity for engagement, service and experimentation. 4) foster an entrepreneurial spirit.
Position Summary:The Director oversees all farm operations including the supervision of farm employees, interns, volunteers, and students. The Director is responsible for an annual budget of approximately $300,000 to maintain the safe and efficient operation of the farm. This includes staffing, procurement of supplies, maintenance, and associated paperwork to comply with state and university policies. The Director will work with faculty to support several academic courses conducted at UGArden by scheduling space allocations, procurement of supplies and pre-class preparations.
The Director provides leadership in community engagement and collaborations with UGA and community organizations, especially Campus Kitchen. The Director is the primary liaison with UGA faculty, departments, organizations (ex. Office of Service Learning and Office of Sustainability), student club and organizations, and individual students that access the farm for formal or informal experiential learning or related academic activities. The Director also serves as liaison to non-UGA organizations (ex. Athens Clarke County School District, Concrete Jungle, Extra Special People) which have existing partnerships. In addition, the Director will continually seek to form new partnerships with both UGA faculty and community.
The Director will also play a key role in raising funds for UGArden through grant proposals and collaborations, fundraising events, donor connections, various small UGAgrants, and farm product sales. The Director will also seek alternative sources of funding as opportunities arise.
The Director maintains the vision of UGArden under advisement from an advisory committee, directly reporting to the Head of the Horticulture Department.
this position is : salaried, 50k-75k