Groundwork Somerville is a community-based, action-oriented non-profit. Our mission is to cultivate the next generation of environmental activists to grow a greener and more equitable Somerville. Groundwork Somerville, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, has been “changing places and changing lives” in Somerville, Massachusetts since 2000. Through youth empowerment, urban farming, equitable food access, and community engagement, Groundwork sows the seeds of a healthy community. Our work is grounded in the understanding that environmental conditions are inextricably linked to economic, social, and racial injustice. We recognize that it is impossible to sustain a healthy community without holistically addressing these issues. As a result, we make an explicit effort to employ and empower youth of color and youth from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Our educational programming specifically highlights the nuances of racism, sexism, and environmental injustice, and arms youth with tools to address these inequities. In addition, Groundwork strives to provide equitable access to food and land for all Somerville residents. We grow crops that have cultural significance to Somerville’s diverse community, and provide equitable access to fresh produce through the Somerville Mobile Market. We strive to hold space where all Somervillians can gather as a community and celebrate the land and each other.

What We Seek

The Seasonal Farm Manager & Educator plays an integral role in connecting our community with access to fresh produce grown on the farm, along with engaging people in their local food system. They directly manage all operations associated with our ¼ acre, raised-bed, organic vegetable farming operation. Furthermore, the Seasonal Farm Manager & Educator conducts all community engagement and education efforts tied to the farm including school field trips, volunteer workdays, university internships, farm-based workshops, and community events (i.e. our Spring Seedling Sale).

Essential Functions:

Farm Management & Distribution - 50%

• Manage ¼ acre of raised beds at South Street Farm (bed prep, seeding, transplanting, harvesting, pruning, pest management, fertilizing, etc.) with the purpose of growing culturally-relevant food to support and diversify the local food system in Somerville.
• Manage food access partnerships with Neighborhood Produce and the City of Somerville-Mobile Farmers Market, Project Soup, and the Union Square Community Fridge
• Expand our native plants and pollinator garden in partnership with a local landscape architect; collaborate with a Somerville Beekeeper to maintain two bee hives
• Oversee farm budget balancing the different needs and priorities.

Community Engagement & Education - 45%

• Work closely with the Youth Program Manager to lead the Green Team youth (our high school employment program) in farm-based workshops and workdays at South St. Farm
• Coordinate final planning and preparations for the Earth Day Event alongside a team of university students from Boston College
• Manage operations associated with our Spring Seedling Sale including communication with community members and ReVision Farm, and day-of event coordination
• Facilitate farm-based field trips for local public school groups, summer camps, and community partners
• Manage university-based farm interns and dedicated volunteers
• Coordinate all farm-related volunteer efforts including 2-hr corporate workdays, produce delivery, and weekly community workdays

Organizational Health - 5%

• Generate farm-related content for social media and newsletter including photos, updates, announcements, and community engagement opportunities
• Participate in weekly staff meetings
• Collaborate with colleagues to advance Groundwork Somerville’s goals and initiatives

Qualifications:

• At least 1 year of experience managing a mixed vegetable operation
• Experience in sustainable crop production/agriculture
• Detail-oriented; strong organizational & time management skills and ability to keep track of logistics, materials, and information
• Experience leading or teaching young people in an outdoor setting
• Commitment to Groundwork Somerville's mission, youth empowerment, and addressing the impact of racism and other oppressions on health equity and local food, environmental, and social issues.
• Experience organizing volunteer groups safely and productively
• Multi-lingual and/or has cultural background(s) reflecting those common to Somerville’s youth and immigrant communities will be prioritized. Specific language abilities desired include Haitian Creole, Spanish, and Portuguese (preferred).
• Familiarity with City of Somerville (preferred).

Compensation: This is an hourly position at $24/hr with three paid vacation days and paid holidays.

Location & Schedule

This position will be based in Somerville, MA at South St. Farm with a regular Monday through Friday schedule, and occasional weekend and evening hours. This is a seasonal position between April - September at 35 hr/week, with one-hour unpaid lunch break. This person will be expected to work outside in all kinds of weather.