Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
A 501 (C) (3) NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION • PO BOX 106, ESTER, ALASKA 99725 •
(907) 451-0691 ·• [email protected] • www.calypsofarm.org
Calypso’s School Garden Manager Terms: Seasonal, 30-35 hours per week
Dates: April 1 – August 30, 2019
Wage: $15.00/hour + a share of school garden vegetables dur ing the
growing season, mileage compensation between gardens
To be filled by: Open until filled
School Garden Initiative (SGI) Overview The School Garden Initiative consists of a network of three school gardens in
the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, planted and maintained by
Calypso. The goal of the gardens is to provide hands-on education to youth in
a school garden setting. Summer programming includes: LEAF Summer
Camps and the Engaging Alaskan Teens in Gardening (EATinG) Program. These gardens are a special part of the school and
communities!
Position Overview The School Garden Manager is Calypso’s lead farmer for the School Gardens, responsible for the health and production of
the three school gardens. The SGM will join Calypso’s staff at the beginning of April and will spend time learning garden
locations, meeting school staff, planning and outreaching to schools to recruit student gardeners for the EATinG Program.
Weather permitting, bed prep and seeding of the gardens will take place throughout May. The SGM will supervise a short-
term garden prep crew (for approximately 2 weeks in late May). In June and July, the SGM will work with summer
education program staff on all garden maintenance and harvest (as needed). At the end of the season, the SGM will clean up
the gardens and sheds, compile all garden records and complete a season evaluation with Calypso staff.
Roles and Responsibilities Garden Care & Operations
Lead bed prep, planting, seeding, irrigation, cultivation, weed-whacking, mowing, harvest, etc. in all 3 gardens
Transport transplants from Calypso to each garden.
Maintain good communication and work with summer garden program on garden maintenance.
Make sure these public gardens look beautiful!
Marketing
Assist with school garden Farm Stands mid-June to mid-August as needed.
Help share updates on garden activities & Farm Stands through our social media outlets.
Garden/School Relations
Participate in spring and fall garden activities with students and teachers as needed.
Planning & Organization
Attend regular Calypso staff meetings and/or weekly check-ins with a Calypso Farmer
Maintain a complete inventory of tools and supplies.
Maintain excellent records of all garden seeding, planting, production, harvest, produce sales and donations
Compile production notes into an end of season evaluation
Qualifications 2 years of organic farming experience, (management preferred)
Farming skills including but not limited to: harvesting, bed prep, seeding, transplanting, compost building,
cultivating, drip irrigation (system set-up and maintenance), weed whacking and mowing, etc.
Experience working with youth, preferred
Must feel comfortable teaching gardening techniques
Experience setting up and running a farm stand.
Organization Overview Founded in 2000, Calypso Farm and Ecology Center’s mission is to promote local
agriculture and environmental awareness through hands-on education in natural
and farming ecosystems. We do this through a variety of educational programs –
for all ages – both on the farm and in the community. In all of our programs, we
strive to increase access to and awareness of the benefits of purchasing and eating
local foods.
A 501 (C) (3) NOT-FOR-PROFIT ORGANIZATION • PO BOX 106, ESTER, ALASKA 99725 •
(907) 451-0691 ·• [email protected] • www.calypsofarm.org
Must work well under a deadline and be able to handle
several projects at one time.
Reliable vehicle to transport self, plants and tools
(mileage will be reimbursed)
Positive, hard working “can-do” attitude
Flexible
Detail-Oriented, with excellent organizational skills
Ability to work independently
Good interpersonal communication skills
Enjoy working with youth.
Belief in Calypso’s mission (see overview at the top of
first page)
Have a sense of humor!
First Aid & CPR certified (training provided)
Application Guidelines: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Early applications are encouraged—we will contact
you about interviews. Please send a copy of your resume, 3 work related references and answers to the following questions to
Susan Willsrud at [email protected]
1. Describe why you are interested in being the School Garden Manager.
2. Describe, in detail, your farming experience (including the types of farms you’ve
worked on, for how long and what your responsibilities were). References required
for each farm position.
3. Describe any relevant experience you have supervising other people.
4. Are you available from April 1 through August 30, 2019?
5. Describe any experience you have working with youth (preferred, not required)
6. If you were a vegetable, what would you be and why?
7. How did you hear about the position?
