Job Description
Position Title: Garden Dreams Greenhouse and Farm Manager
Position Reports to: Director of Urban Agriculture & Programming
Employment Status: Full-time
FLSA Status: Exempt
About Grow Pittsburgh:
Grow Pittsburgh is an urban agriculture non-profit. Our mission is to teach people how to grow food and promote the benefits gardens bring to our neighborhoods.
We believe access to locally-grown, chemical-free fruits and vegetables is a right, not a privilege. We envision the day when everyone in our city and region grows and eats fresh, local and healthy food.
Summary of Position:
The Greenhouse and Farm Manager is responsible for managing Grow Pittsburgh's annual seedling sale located at the Garden Dreams greenhouse. The Greenhouse Manager is responsible for creating and implementing a process for seedling distribution throughout the Pittsburgh region. The seedling sale is Grow Pittsburgh's annual fundraiser to support educational programs throughout the organization. The Greenhouse and Farm Manager is also responsible for vegetable, fruit, and herb production at Garden Dreams. Food produced at these sites is sold directly to the public through seasonal farm stands at Shiloh Farm and area restaurants. Seedlings are grown in the greenhouse and offered April through June for retail sale and for Grow Pittsburgh programs.
The Garden Dreams Greenhouse and Farm manager will also work closely with the Director of Urban Agriculture and Programming to plan and facilitate gardening workshops for the general public.
The Frick greenhouse, Garden Dreams, and Shiloh Farm also serve as urban agriculture demonstration sites, offer an educational opportunity for seasonal staff and workshares, and provide a space for community engagement.
Responsibilities:
Direct Reports: Garden Dreams Assistant Manager, two Seedling Sale Assistants, Seedling production assistant, Bidwell Externs
General:
- Hire and supervise the Greenhouse and Farm staff - Including a full-time Assistant Manager
- Collaborate with the Greenhouse and Farm Assistant Manager to plan and maintain full season vegetable and flower production at Garden Dreams.
- Plan for and execute spring seedling production for retail and wholesale sales of approximately 20,000 seedlings per year
- Coordinate produce & flower sales throughout the year through multiple outlets including weekly farm stands and direct restaurant sales.
- Manage seasonal employees and provide educational experiences related to urban agriculture to a cohort of seasonal staff and workshares.
Programmatic:
Production
- Maintain USDA Organic Certification systems & records to renew annual certification.
- Utilize organic practices such as crop rotation, cover cropping, and compost production and application to improve soil and growing conditions of the sites
- Utilize Integrated Pest Management techniques and OMRI certified products to control pests and diseases according to organic standards
- Keep continuous detailed records including yearly seeding schedules for seedling production and gardens, crop rotation, IPM practices, soil test results, soil amendment additions, sales, donations, and volunteer hours
- Work and communicate regularly with Director of Urban Agriculture and Programming and other Farms Managers to improve production site operations
- Collaborate with Bird Lab to offer fall native plants
- Order seeds, plugs, berries and supplies for the farm and seedling sales
- Implement plug program through Square ordering
Education
- Assist the Farm Education and Outreach Coordinator in developing tasks for on-site workdays
- Teach agricultural lessons with corresponding on-site work for Urban Farmers in Training program (6 week teen programming)
- Manage seasonal staff (3-4) on a daily basis
- Work with the Director of Urban Agriculture and Programming and the other Farm Managers to design and teach a workshop series to the public
- Give tours of the sites to interested groups and individuals
- Teach work trade volunteers how to harvest and perform daily farm tasks
Sales and Marketing
- Plan for and execute annual 8 week (at least) seedling sale at various locations throughout the Pittsburgh area - including Garden Dreams, the East End Coop, and The Frick Greenhouse
- Plan and execute wholesale and pop-up seedling sales as needed with the assistance of Grow Pittsburgh staff
- Work directly with other Grow Pittsburgh staff and community organizations to organize seedling donations
- Support staff in off site & Frick Greenhouse seedling sales (other farm managers & seasonal staff)
- Work with restaurant partners and wholesale clients to sell seedlings and produce on a regular basis
- Attend special events for additional seedling and produce sales
- Track all harvest and sales records
- Track tour groups, group volunteers, and individual volunteers and share with development team
Operations and Outreach
- Promote and coordinate a farm open house at Garden Dreams (primarily directed at neighbors)
- Coordinate staff participation in the Wilkinsburg Farmers Market
- Participate in neighborhood community meetings (happen monthly)
- Interface with community partners and other GP programs to help connect programming to the farm sites
Qualifications & Skills:
- At least two years experience managing a greenhouse and/ or vegetable farm
- Greenhouse and outdoor vegetable growing experience required
- Previous management experience preferred, particularly in agricultural setting
- Experience managing a farmers market stand
- Knowledge of and experience in utilizing Integrated Pest Management - particularly in a greenhouse environment
- Plant, pest and disease identification skills
- Extremely detail oriented, organized, self-starter
- Good communication skills, including writing and public presentation skills with both youth and adults
- Able to interact in a friendly manner with the public on a daily basis
- Ability to do physical and labor intensive work in all weather conditions (heat, humidity, rain, cold) for more than 8 hours
- Able to work weekends and off-hours
- Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds
- Must have a reliable personal vehicle
- Must be comfortable driving the company vehicles as needed
- Must attain Pennsylvania child abuse clearances
- Strong computer skills: proficient with social media, Microsoft Office, Google Drive
Benefits:
The COMPLETE RANGE for this position is $41,000 - $51,000,with beginning salary starting towards the lower to mid of the range. Great benefits package, including medical, vision and dental coverage, 401k retirement plan with employer match, mileage reimbursement and partial cell phone reimbursement. Professional development budget provided.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Grow Pittsburgh is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or belief. We encourage a diversity of candidates to apply for the position. Grow Pittsburgh
Job Tags
Full time, Seasonal work, Local area, Outdoor,