Grower Training Specialist

Position Information

Job Title: Grower Training Specialist

Program/Dept: Big River Farms (BRF)

Location: Marine on St. Croix, MN

Manager: BRF Program Manager

This is a non-exempt, seasonal position scheduled for 40 hours a week from April to October. The hiring range for this position is $25-$27/hour. This is an on-site position at the farm in Marine-on-St-Croix, Minnesota, with limited hours available for remote work. Work schedule is Sunday-Thursday, with a minimum of one evening shift to accommodate the schedule of the Grower Training Program.

Position Summary:

The Grower Training Specialist is based at our farm in Marine on St. Croix. This position provides training and support to beginning farmers enrolled in the Big River Farms land based program. Our Grower Training Program provides education, land access, and market opportunities for over 20 farm teams year-round, primarily farmers of color, New American farmers, and others who face discrimination in farming. The Grower Training Specialist primarily focuses on classroom and in-field training of a cohort of new farmers entering the program. This position will manage a market garden training plot, educational curriculum, program participants and volunteers.

Core Job Functions:

Grower Training Program Facilitation - Deliver a comprehensive 10-month organic farm production training program with hands-on experiential learning, engaging classroom curriculum, and a market garden training plot to facilitate learning and skills development of trainees enrolled in the Grower Training Program:

• Execute educational training materials in conjunction with the Program Team and educational goals of the Big River Farms Grower Training Program
• Support collaborative crop and market planning with trainees, utilizing feedback and peer learning models
• Manage trainee communications, schedules and work plans on a weekly basis

In-field Grower Training & Support - Manage the Market Garden Training plot and the cohort of enrolled participants to meet the Grower Program Training Program learning objectives:

• Responsible for the management and maintenance of a org organically certified mixed vegetable production plot, with a high standard and attention to detail
• Implement trainings on food safety, harvest and post-harvest handling, managing quality control and market standards
• Maintain farm fields and infrastructure such as perennial fields, high tunnels, pack shed and greenhouses
• Assist with day-to-day operations as needed for Big River Farms’ facilities, land, equipment and vehicles in conjunction with the Operations team

Administrative Work

• Attend weekly team meetings and 1:1’s with Program Manager
• Organic Certification record keeping and management
• Form relationships and work with vendors/partners on market sales for the Program
• Collaborate with other Food Group Staff from New Hope on Program Goals, Sales strategies and other initiatives

Experience Required:

• Minimum of at least 3 seasons of organic farming experience
• Demonstrated experience teaching and developing teaching materials
• Practical knowledge of basic farm equipment operation
• Demonstrated experience selling and distributing produce on the market
• Experience coordinating teams and delegating tasks
• Proficiency in utilizing creative methods to engage students in learning and participation
• Demonstrated experience in creating and executing a crop plan
• Experience in greenhouse production, organic composting, season extension/high tunnel production
• Basic experience using tools and executing small construction tasks
• Fluency in a language other than English (especially Hmong, Somali, Spanish, Karen) is a plus
• Existing relationships/familiarity with BIPOC farming communities in the Midwest will be an advantage
• Basic computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office, Google and Excel on PCs, and emails
• Must have a valid MN Driver’s license needed to drive company & farm vehicles

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until March 18. To apply submit a cover letter expressing your interest and experience in the position, resume and three references. Hiring is contingent upon passing a background check.

All employees must be able to work effectively in a mission-driven agency whose clients and staff exhibit significant diversity with respect to race, ethnicity, gender orientation, socio-economic status, nationality, and religion.

People of Color and LGBTQ people are strongly encouraged to apply. The Food Group is an equal opportunity employer.