Company description

Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival invites proposals from individuals or small teams interested in stewarding and activating Jacob’s Garden, a 1.5-acre land-based project on the historic Jacob’s Pillow campus in Becket, Massachusetts.

Jacob’s Garden exists at the intersection of land stewardship, cultural history, and community life. The project builds on the Pillow’s long relationship to agriculture and land use, while looking toward contemporary approaches to ecological care, food systems, and land-based practice.

We are seeking a thoughtful land steward who understands land as a living system and a shared resource, and who is interested in developing a site-responsive practice aligned with Jacob’s Pillow’s values.

Operations would begin June 1, following a spring review process.

Read Call For Proposals here: https://www.jacobspillow.org/about/employment/requests-for-proposals/

business description

Scope of the Role
The selected steward or team will:

Plan and carry out day-to-day land management
Develop a clear and realistic vision for the site
Maintain the land and existing site infrastructure according to agreed-upon stewardship standards
Coordinate periodically with Jacob’s Pillow staff
Identify appropriate moments for visibility, learning, or exchange
This role is focused on land care and activation. Any public-facing or community engagement activities will be developed collaboratively and at an appropriate scale.

The Land
1.5 acres on the Jacob’s Pillow campus in Becket, Massachusetts
Defined parcel with road access and proximity to campus buildings
Limited on-site storage space is available
Existing infrastructure includes irrigation, raised beds, and fencing
Lease terms support agricultural, ecological, and land-based uses
Established plantings include arnica, yarrow, echinacea, mint, chamomile, and other herbs
The site also includes an apiary and six young apple trees
The land is offered under a one-year renewable lease, with shared expectations around stewardship, programming, communication, and long-term care, as well as coordination with other garden activities at Jacob’ Pillow.

Support from Jacob’s Pillow
Jacob’s Pillow will provide:

Access to land under a rent-free lease
Coordination with campus operations and staff
Support around access, scheduling, and communication
Visibility and credit in appropriate materials
Opportunity to sell retail products through the Jacob’s Pillow Gift Store
Potential collaborations with Jacob’s Pillow food services
The steward will retain autonomy over their practice within the parameters of the lease and shared stewardship goals.

Working Parameters & Shared Responsibilities
To support a smooth and mutually supportive partnership, we offer the following operational context:

The Pillow and Facilities Department provide access to the land, water (via the rain catchment system or another source), and a small section of the Derby Garage for storage of the steward’s tools and equipment.

The Pillow maintains campus water sources and the lawn surrounding the garden area.

The steward is responsible for supplying the tools, materials, and equipment needed for their practice.

Existing infrastructure on the site - including irrigation, fencing, raised beds, and other installed elements - will be stewarded and maintained as part of the overall care of the garden.

If large motorized equipment (such as tractors or similar machinery) is needed, coordination and prior approval with the Director of Facilities Safety and Security is required.

This is a rent-free, one-year pilot lease. There is no additional stipend, startup funding, or shared revenue; any income generated by the steward’s practice is retained by the steward.

The steward retains autonomy to shape and develop the land, including long-term projects, with regular review and coordination with Jacob’s Pillow staff. Decisions about garden management will be addressed in periodic check-ins and an end-of-season debrief.

Proposals:

We welcome proposals from people working across a range of land-based practices. Agriculture is one possible approach, but not the only one.

Proposed activities may include, but are not limited to:

Food production (annuals, perennials, orchard systems)
Medicinal plants, teas, salves, or other value-added products
Mushroom cultivation
Pollinator support and beekeeping
Agroforestry, silvopasture, or permaculture systems
Soil building, habitat restoration, or other regenerative practices
Ideal applicants will bring:

Hands-on experience with land stewardship
A regenerative or ecological approach to land use
Comfort working independently while in dialogue with an institutional partner
Interest in land as a community-facing and educational resource
A long-term, care-centered mindset rather than short-term extraction

Not sure if you meet 100% of the qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they fulfill an average of 60% of the criteria, but women tend to apply only if they meet 100% of them. Yet, people who are systematically marginalized tend only to apply if they meet every requirement. We encourage you to submit a proposal if you believe you could excel in this role. Please use your proposal to tell us about what you hope to bring to this project. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. So, whether you’re returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or taking the next step in your career path, we will be glad to know of your interest.

Sale type

seeking buyer

Price

Negotiable

Contact instructions

If you are not registered, you'll be prompted to do so. Don't worry, it's free!

Deadline

May 01, 2026