Community Garden Programs Manager

The Nashville Food Project

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Job Summary

The Nashville Food Project Mission Statement
Bringing people together to grow, cook and share nourishing food, with the goals of cultivating community and alleviating hunger in our city.

 

The Community Garden Programs Manager Position Summary
The Nashville Food Project’s Community Garden Program Manager serves as a bridge between the garden spaces TNFP stewards and the Nashville community. This position is responsible for engaging gardeners and partners of diverse backgrounds, ages and levels of experience at TNFP’s community gardens, working in collaboration with TNFP’s full garden team.

CLASSIFICATION
This is a full-time, exempt salaried position that averages 37.5 hours/week, 40 hours per week during the peak season and decreased hours during the winter months. Weekend and evening hours frequently required including at least 2 weekends per month.

Immigrants, refugees, and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. The Nashville Food Project does not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, handicap, sex, physical condition, developmental disability, sexual orientation or national origin.

Job Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Community Building & Education
● In collaboration with the Director of Garden Programs and the Community Engagement
Manager, develop and implement plans for outreach and recruitment for each garden
site.
● Plan and implement a seasonal garden schedule for each garden to include trainings,
workdays or community building activities, such as potluck dinners.
● Maintain a communication plan for engaging and building community with gardeners,
which may include emails, videos or other communication off site.
● Work closely with interpreters to communicate with gardeners and to conduct trainings.
● Provide support to gardeners on site and respond to their needs or questions.
● Work with partner organizations to engage people from diverse backgrounds in TNFP
garden spaces for education & recreation.
● In collaboration with the Director of Garden Programs, work with partner organizations
to support community garden planning throughout Nashville.

Garden Management
● In collaboration with the full garden team create and implement management plans
that utilize permaculture and sustainable agriculture practices to emphasize organic
year-round production and soil health.
● Coordinate response to the daily needs of community gardens including procuring
seeds, greenhouse work, soil preparation, compost maintenance, pest management,
weeding, watering, harvesting and distribution of produce.
● In collaboration with the garden team, oversee greenhouse production for the
community gardens.

● Oversee infrastructure needs at all community garden sites including irrigation,
equipment storage, seed management, organic fertility program (including cover
cropping and composting), and crop rotation plan.
● Work with onsite staff to implement resource management systems, including purchase
and distribution of season extension and irrigation supplies, seeds, transplants,
marketing materials, compost/ fertilizers and organic pest control.
● Coordinate and facilitate volunteer sessions, as needed.
● Purchase and maintain garden tools and equipment as needed, maintaining accurate
expense records of all purchases and ensuring purchases stay within budget.
● Property maintenance as needed, including but not limited to mowing and weed eating.

Leadership/ Administration
● Work as part of a collaborative garden team providing support as needed for all
gardens.
● Attend weekly organizational leadership and staff meetings as appropriate, including
engaging on staff teams as a part of the larger TNFP team.
● Work closely with Directors and team to develop and monitor budget, strategic plan and
work plan for garden programming.
● Ensure the accurate reporting and submission of all contract labor timesheets.
● Maintain and prepare monthly reports, as requested.
● Supervise the work of intern(s), volunteers and onsite contract employees as needed,
including scheduling and ensuring quality work, as needed.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS
● Demonstrated understanding of TNFP’s mission and vision of community food.
● Skill sets: experience in farm or garden, community engagement and organizing.
● Availability to work flexible hours including some evenings and weekends.
● Must have reliable transportation and a valid Tennessee driver license.
● Fluency in English required, fluency in an additional language is a plus.
● Basic computer and internet skills (Microsoft Office, video conferencing, and data
management systems). Training can be provided, if needed.
● Ability to regularly lift and move at least 40 pounds.
● Demonstrated ability to be highly organized, able to work within a team and execute
responsibilities independently.
● Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively with people of diverse
backgrounds.
● Has a willingness to work hard, have fun, and learn amongst a collaborative team.

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

To apply, please send resume and cover letter to info@thenashvillefoodproject.org by Monday, March 15th.

Details

• Date Posted: February 16, 2021
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Other
• Service Area: Other
• Salary Range: $34,000-$37,000