Mission, Vision, and Values

The Nashville Food Project brings people together to grow, cook and share nourishing food, with the goals of cultivating community and alleviating hunger in our city. At The Nashville Food Project, we embrace a vision of vibrant community food security in which everyone in Nashville has access to the food they want and need through a just and sustainable food system. This mission and vision are guided by core organizational values, including hospitality, stewardship, interdependence, learning, justice, and transformation.

Organizational Background

The Nashville Food Project (TNFP) was born from the idea that good food is a matter of basic dignity. Since its start in 2007, TNFP has served thousands of Nashvillians facing food insecurity. In 2011, TNFP was incorporated as an independent nonprofit, shifting the focus of its meals program toward a collaborative partnership model and launching an urban agriculture program. Today, TNFP continues to connect people to nourishing food and to each other through vibrant urban agriculture projects, made-from-scratch meals, and food shared with local partners working to disrupt cycles of poverty.

Position Summary

The Community Garden Manager (CGM) connects TNFP’s community agriculture programs with the broader Nashville community, creating opportunities for community members to engage in growing food across the city. This position increases access to land, resources, education and relationships, and helps implement TNFP’s vision to expand community agriculture across the city. Reporting to the Director of Community Agriculture (DCA), the CGM plans, manages, and facilitates community events and educational workshops at TNFP’s community gardens, develops community leadership to support community garden events and programming at existing sites, and supports partnership development efforts that expand community garden access across the city.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Community Engagement

• Develop an annual community garden outreach and recruitment strategy to connect aspiring community gardeners of all ages with opportunities to grow at TNFP’s gardens and farms
• Manage and co-facilitate a seasonal community engagement schedule for TNFP agricultural sites, including workshops, community workdays, and other community events
• Establish partnerships with other agricultural organizations and institutions to increase the diversity of educational workshop offerings available to program participants
• Manage a network of interpreters and translators to ensure events and programmatic activities are linguistically accessible
• Develop and manage annual produce sharing plans for each site in collaboration with the Food Access Team, ensuring that produce grown at TNFP gardens is shared with partner organizations and community members in a timely manner
• Manage the community garden impact tracking process, to include tracking weekly programmatic metrics and implementing annual pre- and post-participation surveys
• Facilitate monthly Community Advisory Council meetings at TNFP garden sites
• Represent TNFP on the Nashville Community Garden Coalition

Community Outreach

• Collaborate with the DCA to develop and oversee a communication plan to share updates with the public about opportunities to get involved
• Support the development and management of partnerships with nonprofits, businesses, and other entities who are interested in getting involved with and/or supporting community agriculture activities
• Develop and give presentations on community agriculture programming on an as-needed basis to partner organizations, community groups, and other entities

Administrative

• Manage the Community Farm at Mill Ridge Garden Store, supporting the purchasing and distribution of season extension, irrigation supplies, seeds, transplants, compost, fertilizers
• Maintain accurate reporting of required garden impact and evaluation metrics
• Collaborate with Garden Team to develop and monitor annual budgets and work plans
• Support property maintenance, including but not limited to mowing and weed eating

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 2 years of experience in farming or gardening and/or 3 years of experience in workshop development, facilitation, and/or education
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with diverse communities
• Cooperative work ethic and a positive attitude; hard-working, conscientious, and responsible
• Well organized with attention to detail, record keeping and time management skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and work in a fast-paced environment
• Willingness and ability to work in all types of weather (hot, rainy, and cold)
• Excellent written, oral, and electronic communication skills
• English fluency, oral and written
• Ability to regularly lift and move at least 40 pounds

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma/equivalent or relevant life experience
• Proficiency in a second language, preferably Spanish, Arabic, Burmese, Nepali, or Swahili
• Experience communicating effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, particularly across languages, or a strong willingness to learn
• Experience in community engagement and organizing
• Interest in anti-hunger work and food justice

CLASSIFICATION

This is a full-time (40 hrs/wk) exempt, salaried position. Flexible schedule, with regular weekend and evening hours.

COMPENSATION

• Starting annual salary of $46,500-52,500, commensurate with experience. TNFP offers a competitive benefits package for full time employees including:
• 75% employer paid health insurance for employees, and voluntary dental and vision insurance
• 25% employer paid health insurance for dependents
• Employer paid term-life and AD&D insurance, and long-term disability insurance
• Cell phone stipend
• 14 paid holidays, plus two floating holidays
• Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Parental leave
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• Flexible work environment (i.e., remote and/or hybrid), including hours and location

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter outlining your interest in our work and mission to . Applications received on or before June 30, 2024 will receive priority consideration. Candidates will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

In all aspects of its work, The Nashville Food Project strives for a culture of inclusivity and fairness without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristics protected by law.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $46,500.00 - $52,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed
• Year round work

Ability to Commute:

• Nashville, TN 37209 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Nashville, TN 37209: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person