Urban Farm Manager

~ Sprout by Design is a NYC based, minority & women-owned company whose mission is to "Design, Build, Educate, Grow." We work with an eye towards health, sustainability, social, environmental, and economic impact. ~

Sprout by Design builds urban farms, gardens, greenhouses, green walls, green fences, composting systems, chicken coops, and educational playgrounds for individuals of all ages and abilities. We pair these build structures with fun, hands-on workshops and curricula that use nature as a practical tool to teach design-build principles, STEAM standards, and broader concepts like problem-solving, healthy eating, environmental stewardship, and job training for opportunities in the emerging green economy. In addition to having great educational and economic impact, these workshops & activities also have calming, developmental, and therapeutic benefits.

Sprout by Design also provides programming and maintenance for existing gardens, helps community gardeners sell their produce to local restaurants, and leads urban farming workshops for students of all ages (preschool - seniors). Topics include gardening, hydroponics, composting, farm-to-table entrepreneurship, and chicken hatching. Finally, Sprout offers staff training, professional development, and family engagement activities for each program we create.

We service schools, community centers, houses of worship, detention centers, local restaurants, community gardens, rehabilitation centers, special needs organizations, and elder care residences. Our clients include: The U.S. Department of State, Brooklyn Public Library, NYRP, Marcus Samuelsson Group, Administration of Children’s Services, American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, YAI, United Cerebral Palsy, Green Bronx Machine, Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement, Growing Up Green Charter School, Life Sciences Secondary School, and many more.

Position Overview

The Urban Farm Manager will be responsible for day-to-day upkeep, maintenance and repair of Sprout by Design’s Urban Farms throughout the five boroughs of NYC, as well as supervising Open Garden Hours for youth and adults and running urban farming workshops. Urban Farms include soil, hydroponic, and aquaponic gardens, rooftop gardens and greenhouses, composting systems, chicken coops, and more. Applicants should have a wide range of knowledge about growing edibles, ideally in the North East. Experience taking care of small flocks of chickens is preferable. Another key component is experience with small-scale hydroponic and aquaponic growing systems: planting, daily upkeep, maintenance, and basic repairs.

• Location: All Five Boroughs of NYC
• Job type: Part time to Full time

Responsibilities

• Responsible for growth of vegetables, fruits, herbs, greens, and ornamentals
• Organic crop handling: seed sowing, transplanting, harvesting
• Organic crop maintenance: soil health, companion planting, integrated pest management, weeding, disease control, overall appearance
• Chicken maintenance: basic chicken care and maintenance of the coop
• Urban farm maintenance: design, build, and repair structures as needed on the farms
• Ensure that all urban farm spaces are clean and safe for all participants
• Create year-round crop strategy to optimize plant health, yield, and success
• Responsible for tracking crop growth in a highly organized manner to ensure optimal quality, health and yield
• Monitor, document, photograph, and report on all activities pertaining to the urban farms, including harvest log, garden activity log, garden plan, garden map, and surveys
• Manage greenhouse including climate control system, plant nutrition, pest management, crop schedule planning, irrigation system, inventory management, data analysis and reports
• Supervise Open Garden Hours for youth and adults
• Run urban farming workshops
• Prepare for garden activities ensuring you and the teaching assistants have everything for the Open Garden Hours / Workshop in advance
• Setup and cleanup materials
• Collect and provide any data requested including attendance sheets, material lists, feedback
• Coordinate & facilitate community garden events
• Attend meetings with Sprout By Design and client specific meetings and trainings as required
• Coordinate with Sprout By Design, team members, interns, and volunteers

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of garden/farm teaching experience, with a wide range of students and locations preferred
• At least 2 years of prior farming experience, preferably including aquaponics and/or hydroponics
• Extensive knowledge of and passion for urban farming, including soil, aquaponic and hydroponic growing systems, chicken raising, horticulture, agronomy, botany, companion planting, farming edibles year round (ideally in the North East), rooftop farming, food systems, and multi-farm management
• Experience managing staff and volunteers, with a variety of experience levels
• Positive attitude around children, adults, and seniors
• Creativity and flexibility in finding and implementing solutions to challenges as they arise on the farm
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to lift 40 lbs. and perform strenuous outdoor tasks related to urban garden maintenance and construction
• Ability to work a full 8 hour shift
• Ability to work independently
• Must be a creative self-starter who takes initiative and thinks outside the box
• Must be comfortable working in summer heat conditions as well as cold winter conditions
• Willing to undergo a background check
• Basic computer proficiency and ability to use Google Drive, especially Docs & Sheets
• Must have a reliable form of transportation to all five boroughs of NYC
• Open availability to work various hours, including evenings & weekends
• Must be authorized to work in the US

To Apply

• Please email your cover letter and resume with "Urban Farm Manager" indicated in the subject line.