URBAN FARMING & GARDENING

Position: Urban Farm & Community Garden Co-ordinator
Organization: West Village Community Development Co-op
Location: 2 sites in west Guelph, Ontario

Rate: $20 – 24/ hour based on experience, approx. 10-15 hours per week
Start date: asap
Ending date: October 15, 2022

WHO WE ARE

The West Village Community Development Co-operative (West Village Co-op) has worked alongside marginalized families in west-Guelph for over 20 years providing accessible recreation and educational programs, community events, food and other supports.

THE POSITION

The West Village Co-op is seeking an Urban Farm & Community Garden Coordinator.

We are looking for a community-minded organic grower to manage our approx ¾ acre urban farm and coordinate an approx ½ acre community garden in west-Guelph. You will join us in April in a part-time capacity (working 2-3 days for approx. 10-15 hours/ week) to organize all aspects of operating our growing spaces, including bed prep, planting, harvesting, weed management, cover crops and soil fertility. You are a grower excited about facilitating food and garden workshops for our community gardeners and have some experience working in community settings. This position will occasionally connect with a Garden Advisory Committee. You will also assign and oversee the work of our seasonal urban farm staff (1-2 university students) in running the summer co-op farm.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for planting, maintaining plants, control pests, weeds, and harvest crops
• Ensure that growing spaces are well equipped and maintained
• Monitor crop outputs and provide total yield reports and contribute to program evaluation
• Orient, mentor and supervise seasonal staff and volunteers as required
• Develop, coordinate and deliver gardening and food-related education workshops for both in-person and virtual settings, that meet the diverse needs of west-Guelph using an anti-racism and anti-oppressive lens
• Work with Advisory Committee volunteers, cultivate and maintain strong relationships with program stakeholders and supporters including school boards, funders, community organizations, and others
• Lead outreach activities to engage garden co-op members, with a focus on Black, Indigenous, and people of colour, English Language Learners, people with accessibility needs, and more
• Oversee the programming with attention to the COVID-19 context including the implementation of health and safety guidelines

Skills, experiences, and qualifications

• Work or volunteer experience in the field of agriculture, horticulture, environmental science or related field
• Have practical knowledge and experience with organic gardening methods
• Demonstrated ability to work within a diverse community (people of different ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds) and demonstrated ability working with communities that experience poverty and discrimination
• Possess a valid driving license
• Strong interpersonal skills, collaborative team player and ability to work independently

Additional qualifications, skills, and experience

• Prior work or volunteer experience with a co-operative organization, knowledge of co-op principles and governance
• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and anti-oppression lens
• Minimum one year experience coordinating community-based projects
• First Aid Certificate

HOW TO APPLY

Application deadline: Friday, April 29, 2022, 4:00pm

Your application must include:

• Cover Letter outlining what you can bring to the role, please address to Donna Bailey, President of the Board
• Resume

Completed applications should be emailed to info@westwillowvillage.ca

Please indicate you saw this posting at FoodWork.

In keeping with the West Village Co-op’s organizational value of inclusivity, it is our aim to have a staff team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We provide equal opportunity in employment and encourage applications from all qualified candidates, including Back, Indigenous peoples, persons of colour, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ2S persons and others.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please.