Sprout City Farms (SCF) is looking for individuals to play an integral role operating one of our community farms, in the pursuit of creating a larger network of accessible, educational farms that nourish, and are nourished by, their surrounding community.
About Sprout City Farms:
Sprout City Farms (SCF) is an urban agriculture nonprofit founded in 2010 to create healthier, more resilient local food communities. Since then, SCF has successfully transformed 6.5 acres of underutilized land into fertile ground that produces 20+ tons of fresh produce annually and nourishes thousands of people across metro-Denver. So far, we’ve built and managed four small-scale organic farms. To read more about the organization and details about our farms, please visit our website.
About the DGS Community Program Manager Position:
The DGS Community Program Manager reports directly to the Program Director and is the point of contact for educational, food access, and community programs at Denver Green School Community Farm. The DGS Community Program Manager plans and implements/facilitates class visits with the Denver Green School (DGS), youth farm field trips from other organizations, and educational opportunities for interns/community members with support from and collaboration with the Executive Director, Program Director, Farm Manager, and community partners. The DGS Community Program Manager also attends quarterly DGS Collaborative School Committee meetings, coordinates volunteers, and manages no-cost CSA shares and communication with EKAR Farm, food access organizations, and contracted delivery service.
Duties and Responsibilities:
DGS and Community Education and Engagement (40%):
- Lead the development and implementation of farm-based educational programs at the Denver Green School Community Farm including: class visits to the farm, other youth engagement, in collaboration with Farm Managers and DGS teachers.
- Plans and facilitates youth field trips with outside organizations.
- Help maintain partnership/communication with Denver Green School administration, teachers, and students, especially around community events and farm to school curriculum.
- Participate in DGS Community Day (Saturday in April), Back to School Night (Tuesday evening August), and Culture Fest (weekday evening in September).
- Coordinate volunteer programs, workshops, field trips, tours, school and community events in collaboration with Denver Green School staff, Farm Managers, and community partners.
- Collaborate with schools participating in the Youth Food Leadership and Advocacy Program to provide supplemental classes on desired topics and farm field trips.
Food Access Management (40%):
- Manage setup, distribution, recordkeeping, and coordination with other farm crew members and Program Director for food access partnerships, including:
- Complete outreach for and sign up members for no-cost SNAP, WIC, and Solidarity CSA shares; maintain communication and update membership as needed
- Manage pay-what-you-can Farm Stand at DGS (Wednesdays 4-6pm, August-October) with support of farm crew, Program Director, and maintain/upload records monthly to Farm Totals
- Order and maintain materials for food access programs and coordinate deliveries with contracted delivery service, EKAR Farm, and DGS farm crew
- Keep food access, CSA orders/sign-in sheets up to date throughout season and bring printed sign-in sheets to CSA pickup
- Communicate with food access organizations, Ekar Farm, and Contracted Delivery Service for no-cost CSA shares with support from Program Director and Executive Director.
Farm Operations (5%):
- Participate in all-crew days at the Denver Green School Community Farm, Mountair Park Community Farm, and the Farm at Jack’s Solar Garden, approximately 1 day per month throughout the farm season.
- Engage with volunteers and help lead groups of volunteers on some Fridays in the understanding and completion of various farm tasks.
General & Administrative (15%):
- Collaborate with farm staff for accurate recordkeeping and reporting on education and food access program outcomes; submit monthly reports including timesheet, expense/mileage report, Farm Stand totals, invoices for field trips/tours/workshops
- Participate in regular staff meetings and other meetings (such as board or community meetings) as needed.
- Adhere to SCF trainings as applicable, and employee manual.
- Assist with regularly photographing activities on the farm, and sharing photos with other staff for SCF’s social media, newsletters, etc.
- Participate in professional development opportunities related to the DGS Community Program Manager position.
- Create and hang flyers, monthly DGS Community Farm newsletters, volunteer sign-up, occasional social media posts, and post food access opportunities across all platforms for outreach (Facebook, Instagram, SCF website, etc.)
Desired skills and qualifications: Please apply even if you do not have all desired skills and qualifications!
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in farm or garden education.
- Community organizing and/or program development experience.
- Passion for helping develop a more sustainable and equitable local food system.
- Strong organizational skills including: multi-tasking, prioritizing, lesson planning, event planning, and effective time management.
- Willingness to take initiative and manage multiple tasks.
- Strong oral communication skills in English and Spanish preferred but not necessary
- Experience working with diverse communities, educating through an equity lens, and aiming to create safe and welcoming spaces for all.
- Experience managing volunteers and working with children, and comfortable speaking in front of people.
- Motivated, flexible and ability to work independently. Access to computer and phone (stipend provided for use of personal resources).
- Proficiency with email, the Google Suite, Microsoft Word and Excel, and social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.
- Reliable transportation when necessary (able to travel to farm site, pick up needed materials, etc).
- Flexible availability including working some evenings and weekends.
- Preference will go to local residents rooted in the community surrounding the farm. We seek to use our organization’s place of privilege and access to resources to empower community members to build up their neighborhoods and lead the changes they would like to see.
We believe that systemic inequalities disproportionately impact people of color, women, people from working class backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, and other oppressed groups. Because we believe that these communities must be centered in our work as we fight for food justice for all, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or who are members of other disenfranchised communities. Please apply even if you do not have all desired skills and qualifications!
Time Commitment and Compensation:
This is a full-time position with an average of 40 hours per week, which will include some nights and weekends. Total compensation is $57,380 per year, including stipends for health care ($3,000) and home office use ($300). All staff receive a CSA share of farm produce valued at $650+. Mileage is reimbursed for all work-related errands. All SCF positions are currently field-based/home-office. The preferred candidate will be a self-starter who is able to effectively work independently. Requests for time off must be submitted for approval; approval of requests is dependent upon staff schedule coordination and the needs of the organization. Full time employees receive a total of 15 days of flexible paid time off, plus 21 additional holiday days.
How to Apply
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and 3 references (personal or professional). We will accept applications through August 9, 2024 or until the position is filled. In your cover letter, please answer the following questions:
- What is your experience with public schools, and farm or garden education (or education in general)?
- What does food justice mean to you?
- What are the top 3 things you’re most passionate about changing in the food system in the United States today?
Submit to:
Paula Cuevas, Sprout City Farms Program Director
Email: paula@sproutcityfarms.org
Mail: P.O. Box 7536 Denver, CO 80207
For more information on SCF, please visit our website at www.sproutcityfarms.org and our facebook page at www.facebook.com/SproutCityFarms.
*Sprout City Farms follows an equal opportunity employment policy and employs personnel without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, marital status, transgender status, gender identity, ancestry, gender, political service, affiliation or disability.
This policy applies to all Sprout City Farms employees, volunteers, members, clients, and contractors. This policy also applies to internal promotions, training, opportunities for advancement, terminations, outside vendors, members and customers, service clients, use of contractors and consultants, and dealings with the general public.*