Gateway Farm is an ambitious, cutting-edge farm project and business located in Plymouth, Michigan. It is putting into practice a regenerative, permaculture-inspired design that weaves together USDA certified organic market gardening, food forests, land regeneration and re-wilding, and is a demonstration site for these approaches. Gateway Farm is a place of abundance and beauty; a community hub offering nutrient dense food, education, events, sanctuary, and hope for the future.
 

In our 7 years of operation, the farm has been converted from a golf driving range to a certified organic food growing farm and community events space. In 2022 offerings were expanded beyond fresh produce to include farm tours and workshops as well as value-added products. Now in 2024 we are weaving all our enterprises and community network together to develop Gateway Farm into an innovative farm hub.

Gateway Farm is a diversified business that offers work, experience and learning opportunities in a variety of roles. Each worker has a main area of responsibility and tasks. You will however, from time to time, be working in other areas of the farm as well as at our sister farm Plymouth Orchard. 

There are annual and perennial crop production systems on the farms along with native and ornamental gardens, ground and infrastructure to be cared for. We also have a line of value added products and host events, markets and educational workshops, and attend a few off site markets and events. 

At Gateway Farm we recognize that diverse teams make the strongest teams, and we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. We are a proud equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusivity throughout our business. 

Position Description 

Gateway Farm is currently seeking a highly motivated, responsible and organized person to be the Events & Education Coordinator for our Farm Hub Business. 

• Implement Gateway Farm education and events strategies. 
• Events - working with the Gateway Farm directors, crew and coordinators to organize, manage, setup and cleanup all onsite and offsite events - to include school & community tours, markets, farm to table dinners, plant walks and workshops
• Education - develop and support of community education efforts through writing content, facilitating and finding facilitators for our programs
• Community Outreach / Charitable Opportunities - Partner with community leaders to build relationships and create charitable opportunities to not only promote the health of our community and the farm but to grow our presence within it.
• Monitoring, documentation & recording of events and educational experience on the farm
• Community engagement including with facilitators, clients and participants
• Worker Safety & clear communications
• Attends regular Gateway Farm meetings
• Working with and reporting to the farm directors
• Coordinating tasks, events and projects with the other farm Coordinators
• Events Crew supervision, management  & training
• Working with facilitators, participants, and community

Job Qualifications - 

• Experience in event planning and facilitation 
• Experience in planning, organizing and carrying out education events for a range of ages
• Highly organized
• Communicate clearly and follow instructions
• Interpersonal and written and digital communication skills
• Have some knowledge of plants/gardening/farming
• Be reliable, punctual and conscientious
• Operate in, and contribute to, a positive work environment
• Be available some weekdays, evenings and weekends
• Work both independently and as part of a team
• Pay attention to detail yet able to work efficiently
• Because our business is located in an area without access to reliable public transportation, we only recommend that applicants with access to a vehicle apply.

Preferred Experience:

• Working with scheduling and ticketing digital applications
• Social media and website updating experience 
• Able to learn new software programs & efficient in digital spreadsheets
• ServSafe or similar food handling certification 
• Gardening, horticulture &/or farming
• Mid-sized to large farm/garden/lawn machine operation
• Basic farming/gardening tool use and knowledge
• Passion for growing and caring for plants, waterways and living systems

Position Details

• Employment Schedule - We are seeking a Full Time (28-40 hours/week) Education & Events Coordinator. Gateway Farm crews generally operate daily Monday - Friday from 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., and in the evenings and weekends for workshops, events, and markets. Times can change with the season and weather. Coordinator positions generally run year round with reduced winter hours. Preferred candidates will have some availability on evenings and weekends
• Job Compensation - Pay starts at $18/hour for entry level coordinators.  Experience and skill will be considered with compensation. Employment opens up access to benefits, farm perks and discounts at Gateway Farm and our sister farm to Plymouth Orchards.
• We have a 40 hour trial period, and a 30 day evaluation period.