Working under limited supervision, the Food Program Associate helps lead the Farm Food Program of Case Western Reserve University’s 400-acre property. Farm facilities include indoor/outdoor spaces for teaching, research, agriculture recreation, as well as residential. Beyond growing produce the farm food program associate’s blended role includes the business aspects of food production, representing the University Farm at on and off-campus function, creating, documenting and delivering original content for short one-hour up to 12-week co-curricular educational programs on subjects such as the technical aspects of planting different crops, gardening at home versus an institutional settings, integrated pest management, soil preparation, composting, harvesting, preserving, beekeeping 101, and similar. With an entrepreneurial and project management mindset, the associate will utilize the basic principles of sustainable agriculture, and when appropriate, regenerative agriculture to design and execute seasonal planting and harvesting. This individual will continue to develop knowledge and advocate on the potential to test or pilot new farming techniques or projects. They will develop, track, and record relevant data regarding food production. While often working independently, they will also fully participate as a team member and assist other farm staff and student interns and volunteers in the daily operations of the university farm. This individual will always be exploring, identifying and when possible, executing on unique opportunities to collaborate or partner with campus initiatives and community groups so that the food program can be connected and of benefit to the university’s Cleveland neighborhoods. Will assist or lead University Farm special events and functions as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Maintain and oversee food production at Valley Ridge Farm, the Farm’s 2-acre market garden plot: Lead the production of food crops outdoors which includes creating an annual planting and harvest plan that aids the food program’s ability to sell produce that is desirable to diverse customers while ensuring crops are well tended and weeded.
• Open Valley Ridge Farm for the spring plantings and close it down at the end of fall, prepping it for winter. Keep technologies maintained and in repair such as the electric fence, irrigation system, weed control methods and tools and communicate with the farm administration and vendors as needed to keep systems functioning. 
• Proactively schedule volunteer days and recruit other farm staff and temps as needed to maintain the workload and maximize harvest.
• Create content and deliver workshops, presentations related to growing both at the Farm and in the community.
• Operate several types of machinery
• Work in collaboration with other food program teammates and help as needed.
• Oversee hiring, training and supervision of student workers, temps and volunteers.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience: 2 to 3 years of experience with plant production, preferably food crops. Greenhouse experience is a plus. Ornamental crop production experience may be substituted if the candidate also has knowledge of food crop cycles. Experience creating and delivering educational content related to gardening and food production.
• Education/Licensing: High school education required, Bachelor’s degree preferred. Classes in horticulture or agriculture preferred. Valid driver’s license.

REQUIRED SKILLS

1. Must be familiar with food crop growth cycles and know the difference between cold weather crops and warm weather crops.

2. Experience with integrated pest management and organic food production principles.

3. Strong organizational skills, ability to prioritize and meet deadlines, demonstrate attention to detail, exercise time management skills, have sound judgement and good decision making and ability to follow through on assigned projects.

4. Ability to work both effectively independently and collaboratively within a team.

5. Must have excellent social skills for interaction between and among faculty, staff, students, and farm visitors. Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers face to face.

6. Able to work with tools and large, power equipment related to food production.

7. Proficiency with email communications, Google Suite of products, experience with Microsoft programs such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint as well as social media. Light graphic design experience is a plus.

8. Must be willing to work with honeybees, experience preferred.

9. Must be willing to work with food waste and the composting operation, experience preferred.