Company description

Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center is a nonprofit, certified organic farm located on over 50 acres of conserved land along the Connecticut River in East Thetford, Vermont. Our organization has a deep commitment to developing regenerative agriculture systems for our fruit, vegetable, and flower production and to offering educational programming that builds connections between our food, ecosystems, and community.

Our farm is a community hub with a farmstand, retail greenhouses, a farm kitchen, a coffee shop, a cut flower garden, education programs, and unique CSA options. It’s a place where folks can learn about and deepen their appreciation for organic regenerative agriculture.

Our staff is a reflection of our community and is the most essential aspect of our farm. When you join our dynamic team, you’ll have the opportunity to make valuable contributions to our greater mission of promoting organic, regenerative farming and the transition to a localized food economy!

Job description

Full Time March-October, Part Time November-February

We are looking for a plant lover with a passion for sharing their knowledge to help lead a team in our greenhouse and field production systems. With your positive attitude, knowledge of flowering herbaceous and perennial plants and eagerness to work as a team, you’ll support our annual and perennial department as we work towards mission driven production and research.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Annual and Perennial Lead is responsible for assisting the department manager with all stages of planning and implementing our Annual and Perennial Department’s growing environments: our greenhouses, retail nursery, and flower gardens. Your primary responsibilities will include training and leading a team to implement the department’s seasonal and daily work plans, provide excellent customer service in our retail nursery and cut flower garden and to contribute to providing a positive environment for staff and visitors alike. As a hands-on member of a diversified farm team, the Annual and Perennial Lead will also work alongside other department teams to accomplish projects as requested.

Cedar Circle is building out an exciting lineup of native perennial plants and working to transition a portion of our cut flower garden to perennial plants. This is an exciting time to join the team and be a part of building ecological resilience into our landscape and helping others to do the same!

RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Oversight and Crop Plan Implementation (80%)

• In collaboration with the department manager, implement production plans for annuals, perennials and flower gardens, including sanitization, seeding, potting, watering, transplanting, weeding, fertilizing, pest management and monitoring of greenhouse systems
• Participate in training and oversight of a seasonal team to accomplish all Annual & Perennial (A&P) Department goals as a hands-on team lead
• Help keep greenhouses in working order, including: watering and fertilization systems, the physical function of greenhouses, and communicating issues with department manager and Operations Manager

Marketing and Retail (15%)

• Receiving orders, unpackaging, displaying, pricing, and labeling plants and products in coordination with the department manager
• Proactively maintain all retail areas during 8-month sales season, including creating and maintaining aesthetically pleasing displays
• Provide excellent, knowledgeable customer service for all Annual and Perennial Department guests
• Participate in educational activities or events as pre-arranged by Education Program Manager and A&P Department Manager, such as hosting workshops or tours
• Help organize cut flower CSA and PYO flower parties, including customer coordination, maintaining records, and staffing harvest days and events.
• Proactively communicate with retail staff about product offerings and other department information

Administrative, Communication, Record Keeping (5%)

• Assist the department manager with analyzing sales data and adjusting plans for the following season
• Administrative tasks such as product pricing, creating tags and signs, and solid record keeping
• Keeping detailed records of work completed

General Farm Team Responsibilities (as needed)

• Proactively communicate about workload and scheduling with A&P Manager
• Participate in planning and development throughout the season with CCFEC team as requested by A&P Manager and Director of Agriculture
• Support other departments as needed
• Provide a positive, supportive, educational work environment for all staff and visitors

QUALIFICATIONS

Skills & Experience

• At least two full seasons of similar work in plant propagation, nursery center work, landscaping, or farming
• Leadership experience including working with a diverse team
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks and work efficiently
• Consistent attention to detail
• Positive interpersonal skills and clear consistent communication skills
• Ability to take direction, ask for help/clarity, and give and accept constructive feedback
• Ability to work independently and within a team
• Flexibility, creativity, and the ability to perform well in diverse conditions and under tight time constraints
• Ability to work for long durations in inclement weather – standing, sitting, bending over, lifting and kneeling
• Knowledge of annual flowers and native perennial plants sufficient to provide quality customer service to our guests

COMPENSATION

This is a year-round position, full-time March through October with intermittent part-time hours from November to February. The Annual and Perennial Lead is an hourly position with benefits including health benefits, paid time off, fresh produce, and a 20% discount to our farmstand. Pay range is $17-20/hour, depending on qualifications and experience.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $15-20/hr

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline