Farm & Community Manager - Pocket City Farm [ Feb 9 ]
Pocket City Farms
Job description
Pocket City Farms is a vibrant urban farm and community hub in Sydney’s Camperdown that showcases the best in regenerative agriculture, permaculture and sustainability. We’re looking for a passionate and experienced Farm & Community Manager to join our team and help reignite our unique urban farm for 2021. If you love working outdoors, meeting passionate like-minded people and being part of a team looking to showcase the best in urban farming, we want to hear from you!
Pocket City Farms is at a pivotal point as we revision and refocus our operations due to the impacts of Covid. The role of the farm in developing resilience and connection within our community has never been more apparent and we see this as a huge opportunity to take Pocket City Farms into a new phase of growth.
The Farm & Community Manager is responsible for managing the operations of the market garden including planning, fertility management, composting, crop production, greenhouse, maintenance of equipment and infrastructure, produce marketing & sales, coordination of volunteer groups, farm tours and integration with education programs. This role will ensure that the market garden is a viable and sustainable enterprise within the range of Pocket City Farms operations.
THE FARM & COMMUNITY MANAGER WILL REPORT TO THE OPERATIONS MANAGER AND THE POSITION INCLUDES:
Farming Operations:
Development and execution of annual market garden plan including crop rotation and sales projections taking into account previous rotational planting, including schedules for direct sowing, seeding and transplanting, estimated yield and value of each crop and field observations
Maintain and monitor water usage for irrigation systems
Purchase and maintenance of farm tools and equipment
Develop and employ effective weed management and integrated pest management strategies
Management of greenhouse and seedling propagation
Monitor and manage soil health and fertility including annual soil testing and application of soil amendments
Oversight of compost production
Oversight of food forest improvement and maintenance
Liaising with local beekeepers to maintain health of native and honeybee colonies onsite
General maintenance of farm site
Produce Sales:
Develop and maintain commercial relationships for sale of produce to restaurants and retail outlets and management of online produce sales and CSA box sales
Maintain minimum weekly sales in line with targets
Managing farm store stock and point of sale in website
Interaction:
Management and facilitation of on-farm internships, community volunteer sessions and working bees to support the market garden functions
Presentation of farm tours
Supporting on-farm schools education program
Manage food forest maintenance and other onsite edible gardens
Records and Reporting:
Maintain annual farm plan
Maintain records of forecast and actual harvest weights
Financial Management:
Development of annual budget for farm operations with Business Development Manager
Invoicing for produce sales and keeping accurate financial records
Workplace Health & Safety:
Maintain a clean and safe workspace, and abide by workplace health and safety policies and procedures
Ensure all new volunteers receive WHS safety induction and and are provided with appropriate PPE
Maintain all farm tools and equipment in safe working order
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS WILL HAVE:
3+ years of relevant experience in growing for a diversified, intensive organic four-season market garden
3 years supervisory & staff management experience
Excellent working knowledge of core issues related to regenerative agriculture and/or permaculture
Knowledge of farm equipment operation, maintenance and repair
Professional maturity and positive interpersonal skills with friendly attitude
Organised, willing to take initiative, think and act proactively to solve problems and assess priorities, and manage a variety of tasks calmly and effectively
Strong public relations and communication skills with an ease and enthusiasm for talking to individuals of all ages
Ability to work outside for extended periods of time in various weather conditions
Willing to work flexible hours depending on seasonal requirements, including weekends.
Able to increase the customer base and maintain existing customers who use our produce, in line with produce that is available.
Able to maintain a healthy and safe working environment, including first aid, safe use of tools and machinery on the site, adhering to Pocket City Farms WHS policies and procedures
Current driving licence and access to a vehicle
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
Experience of working with volunteers
Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds
Experience of training and instructing.
Please note the successful post holder will require a working with children check
This is a contract position for 12 months. The job requires 30.4 hours per week including some weekend work, with the intention to evolve into a permanent full-time role in future.
Ideally you would be able to start immediately.
ABOUT POCKET CITY FARMS
Pocket City Farms (PCF) is a not-for-profit association established and run by a crew of skilled individuals, who are motivated and passionate about urban farming and sustainability. PCF are working to bring urban farms to Sydney’s unused spaces.
Local sustainable food production close to where the bulk of our population live, is integral in securing a healthy future for our communities and our planet. Our model of farming is multidimensional – whilst growing fresh, local, organic and healthy food is at the heart of what we do, we are also aiming to make a significant impact through education and community building.
We opened our first farm in 2016 on the previously unused bowling greens at Camperdown Bowling Club. The farm is a part of Camperdown Commons - a community revitalisation project developed by Camperdown Project Pty Ltd in collaboration with PCF.
The Camperdown farm has become a productive hub the local community can gather to learn about all things farming and food growing, buy local, organically-grown produce and take part in many workshops and events. The bowling greens have been converted into 1200m2 of market garden using organic practices to grow vegetables, herbs and salad greens. A greenhouse grows seedlings for the market garden and for sale to the public, and a 16 m compost unit has been established for composting local food waste. The farm is a community-oriented social enterprise and open to the public as a demonstrative showcase of urban farming.
Our farm is on Mallett St, Camperdown in Sydney’s Inner West. It is two minutes walk from Parramatta Rd. and a 10 minute walk from Newtown train station and King St.
For more information contact Pocket City Farms