Company description

Ekar Farm and Community Gardens is a communal urban farm, inspired by Jewish values. We work to build community, provide experiential and environmental education, and grow sustainably produced fruits and vegetables, expanding access to those in need.

Now in its 15th season, Ekar serves as a focal point for Denver’s Jewish community to come together around issues of food security, environmentalism, and urban farming. Each year, Ekar commits to growing 20,000 pounds of produce for food access partners including Jewish Family Services’ Weinberg Food Pantry, Metro Caring, Kavod Senior Life, Hope Communities’, preschools throughout the Denver area, SAME Cafe, Spirit of the Sun, and a WIC immigrant CSA program.

We’ve brought together thousands of people–young and old, Jewish and non-Jewish–to cultivate a better food system. Through garden-based programming, celebrating Shabbat and other holidays, and acting in solidarity against systems of oppression that impact our environmental and social wellbeing, we’ve created a meeting place for people to come together outdoors and connect, grow, nourish, and repair the land and our human ties to one another.

Ekar’s Beginnings
Ekar was founded as a labor of love. We are grateful to the visionaries who built Ekar. Amy Berkowitz Caplan attended a Hazon Food Conference and came back inspired to start a farm at her place of work - the Denver Academy of Torah (DAT).  The Rose Community Foundation supported the farm, and has made it possible for Ekar to flourish. Ilan Salzberg began the work of directing the farm. Aaron Ney succeeded him and led Ekar for nine years. Jason Plotkin farmed the land. Becca Weaver, now at Milk and Honey Farms, and Margot Sands educated visitors to the farm. Today, we continue to build on their work and love of community.

Ekar’s Future
In 2025 Ekar moved to a beautiful 2.86 acre site at Shalom Park in Aurora. Ekar Farm's move to Shalom Park represents an exciting opportunity to expand into a vibrant new Jewish community while maintaining our relationships with our developed Jewish ecosystem by deepening connections and fostering shared values. Partnering with Shalom Park, another amazing Jewish nonprofit, allows us to create innovative programs that bridge generations and strengthen communal ties. This new location will enable us to offer inter-generational programming that brings together youth, families, and elders in meaningful engagement with agriculture, sustainability, and Jewish traditions. With the additional space and resources, we look forward to serving more people than ever, nurturing community growth and resilience.

Job description

The ideal Assistant Farm Manager (AFM) candidate is an experienced individual with some production farming skills (organic and regenerative/restorative practices), strong ability to learn quickly and communicate effectively, and a demonstrated commitment to racial, economic, food and environmental justice. 

The Assistant Farm Manager (AFM) supports the Farm Manager (FM) in implementing FM’s plan and vision for the farm, and serves as an extra set of eyes and hands around the farm to ensure a successful workday. The AFM will be trained in all aspects of farm management: crop planning, seeding, transplanting, soil health, cultivation, irrigation, integrated pest management, harvest and post-harvest, and may, according with their interests and the Farm Manager’s needs, be assigned to manage some of those areas after an initial training period. The AFM will be a key member of the farm team, working alongside farm crew on all tasks, as well as take on independent responsibility in coordinating with and managing volunteer groups, as well as drop-in volunteers on Sundays to make sure that FM’s plan is adhered to and executed in an efficient manner. 

This is a full-time hourly position, contracted for the growing season from March 24th, 2026 through November 15th, 2026. AFM is expected to be able to work up to 6 days a week on the farm, including weekend days, for a total of 40 hours a week. Typical hours are from 6 or 7am to 1pm or 2pm, but may vary based on weather. Occasional overtime may be required. The ability to work through different weather conditions (mainly heat in the summer) is essential.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to have full range of mobility in upper and lower body; be able to reach overhead; be able to work in various positions, including stooping, standing, bending over, sitting, kneeling and squatting for extended periods of time; be able to lift, pull and push materials and equipment to complete assigned tasks; and be able to lift 50 pounds of weight throughout the workday. Physical stamina to work 2.5 hours without requiring a break.

Essential Functions and areas of responsibility:

Support the FM and Executive Director’s plan and vision for the farm, serve as extra set of eyes around the farm to ensure successful workday

Work with Community Farmers to ensure Farm Manager’s training protocols are understood and implemented

Manage volunteers by communicating instructions, facilitating volunteer training and daily sign ins, giving feedback, pace-setting to meet FM’s planned daily schedule, and ensuring a welcoming, inclusive environment for all volunteers and farm crew

After initial training period, may take independent responsibility of some areas of farm management and/or be responsible for managing the farm crew or volunteers on days when the FM is off site

Occasionally represent Ekar at local schools and organizations to discuss our mission and educate people of all kinds on the food system

Required qualifications:

Ability to understand and implement directions from FM and Executive Director (ED)
1+ years of experience with organic gardening / farming using sustainable agricultural practices;
Interest in regenerative farming and local food systems, as well as unique and complex aspects of urban agriculture;
Comfort working in a fast-paced  and growing organization, in all weather, from 6:00am and some evenings as needed during summer heat
Must be able to regularly lift up to 60+ pounds and work on your feet;
Ability to motivate others under difficult conditions;
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for data tracking
Ability to lead and work with a team; Ability to work independently and collaboratively with transparency and accountability, 
Ability to work weekends and evening hours during peak growing season;
Commitment to mission and values of Ekar Farm

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working with and building relationships with a wide range of diverse or underrepresented groups and individuals;
Experience working with volunteer groups and educating community members on the importance of a local food system;
Understanding of the current food access landscape in the Denver metro area, including knowledge of key players in food distribution and systemic barriers to access to healthy foods;
Basic carpentry skills and comfort with various tools.

Education & Experience 

We welcome applicants with varying levels of experience. Applicants do not need to have a Jewish background or identity.

This is a seasonal full-time position at 40 hours/week from March - November. Pay range is $22-$25 per hour depending on experience. Farm provides ongoing professional development, DEIJ trainings, 3 days paid time off (PTO), and 3 days of unpaid time off (sick days). This position will coordinate with the FM to provide farm coverage on Federal and Jewish holidays. 

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline