Seasonal Farm Assistant

Under the direction of the Farm and Nutrition Director and the Lakeville Farm Manager, the Lakeville Farm Assistant will support the entire process from seed to harvest, including system maintenance and optimization at Urban Ventures Lakeville site. The Farm & Nutrition program strives to nurture a diverse group of young leaders through the meaningful work of growing and eating nutritious food.  

Responsibilities:

The Lakeville Assistant will support the Lakeville Manager across a wide breadth of farm responsibilities, including;

• Starting seeds and managing seedlings
• Transplanting into rows in Lakeville
• Setting up an irrigation system and following a watering plan
• Managing weeds and living mulch walkways between crops, pest management
• Harvesting, cleaning, and tracking the weight of picked crops
• Help develop a production and work plan for the new 20’ x 96’ high tunnel at the Lakeville Farm (constructed November 2024, this is the first growing season in it)

The Lakeville Assistant will learn the relationships and outlets for the food Urban Ventures produces and procures, entailing;

• Working at least 1 of the 2 weekly farm stands (open to the community at no-cost, Tuesday and Thursday evenings)
• Tending to Urban Ventures egg-laying chickens
• Meeting the Lakeville Farmer who supports the program with Sweet Corn
• Meeting the Lakeville Orchard Owner who supports the program with Apples
• Working alongside the Summer Farm Interns

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Prior experience in managing a farm, or growing spaces
• Prior experience with crop-planning and vegetable production
• Prior experience in organic farming
• Prior experience in high-tunnel farming
• Ability to stand for long periods, lift heavy bins, and be exposed to heat and sun
• Is Self-motivated
• Ability to follow directions, ask for clarification, and execute tasks efficiently
• Has the ability to speak Spanish and English Bilingual, desired

Additional eligibility qualifications:

• None

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or GED

Physical and Environmental Requirements:

• Physical stamina and ability to work in a fast-paced outdoor environment
• Work is performed both indoors and outdoors.   Outside work requires exposure to varying weather and terrain conditions, noise, fumes, odors, gases; exposure to moving equipment and occasional exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme heat, wet/humid conditions, open or confined spaces, intermittent vibration and noise.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to stand, sit, talk, hear, reach, stoop, kneel, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer, telephone, and keyboard
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work
• Moderate to heavy lifting may be required
• Regular, predictable attendance is required

Work Location

• Primarily at our Urban Farm in Lakeville, MN
• Urban Ventures Campus based at 2924 Fourth Ave South, Minneapolis

Work hours:

• 20 hours per week
• Non-exempt
• Monday through Friday, occasional Saturday during the season May-November 2025

Travel:

• Must have reliable transportation
• Occasional travel to work functions

About Urban Ventures

Urban Ventures is a faith-based, nonprofit organization with the mission to educate children, strengthen their families, and build a healthy community. We partner with families in some the most under-resourced neighborhoods of south Minneapolis with one overarching goal-to send every youth to college or some form of post-secondary education. Urban Ventures is committed to providing a workplace which promotes diversity and inclusion.

Job Types: Part-time, Temporary

Pay: $22.50 - $25.00 per hour

Expected hours: 20 per week

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Ability to Commute:

• Minneapolis, MN 55408 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $23 - $25