Job title: Grower
Salary: £24,000 starting salary
Contract: Full Time (6 month probation period)
Benefits: 28 days holiday pro rata plus flexible working hours. Weekly staff yoga and discounted produce.
Responsible to: Farm and Outdoor Education Manager
Start date: As soon as possible
Location: Barnet
ABOUT GROW
GROW works in schools and communities to promote mental well-being, physical health and a more hands-on relationship with the natural world. From yoga to farming, philosophical thinking to boxing, GROW’s specially designed programme gives young people the knowledge, skills and confidence to think beyond their day-to-day routines.
Since launching our pilot scheme at The Totteridge Academy, North London in May 2019, GROW has started a Forest School, built a community farm and rolled out a full programme to 250 students per week as part of the curriculum. Our aim is to see GROW become second nature, as normal in a young person’s day as a maths lesson or football practice.
A key part of the GROW learning experience is our 6 acre field. We are creating a vibrant working farm that will form a key part of our curriculum as well as being a community farm with opportunities for families and adults. It’s a busy and exciting time for GROW and we are looking for someone to help us on our journey and who can grow with us.
THE ROLE
This is an exciting new role that we are offering as a part of our partnership with Pavilion Cafes. You will be based at GROW’s 6 acre farm full time, working with a small farm team (Farm manager and part time grower), regular volunteers and young people.
Your main responsibility will be to manage our new Pavilion plot, growing produce specifically for Pavilion Cafes. This will include all budgeting, crop planning, maintenance and logistics for the produce, and liaising with and managing Pavilion staff coming to the site every Friday.
You will keep a regular blog that will feature on the Pavilion website and socials, documenting life on the farm. Occasionally you will help out with gardening projects at Pavilion Cafes, particularly in Victoria Park. This will only be during quiet times on the farm.
You will also be an essential part of the GROW farm team and will help out with all normal duties on the farm to help us run smoothly.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
We are looking for an organic grower with a minimum of 3 year’s experience, ideally on larger scale sites, with experience of producing seasonal produce of the highest quality. The candidate must be hard working, calm and kind, with a desire to share their love and knowledge of food production with others.
Strong organisation and crop planning skills are required. This role will involve setting up a Pavilion plot in the Autumn alongside the Farm Manager. By Spring, you will be expected to manage this plot.
A Level 2 horticulture qualification or equivalent is desirable but not essential; however, a strong understanding of year-round organic, agroecological farming and ideally experience of working with restaurants is necessary.
Strong communication skills are essential. We are a community farm with a strong focus on education and young people. The ability to be friendly, thoughtful and understanding at all times and comfortable working with people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities is very important to us.
Experience using machinery (sit on lawn mower, strimmer, seeder, rotavator etc) is essential. Practical skills including carpentry and building are also very desirable.
Start date: 24th August or earlier if possible.
To apply, please send us a C.V. and a short cover letter explaining why you are interested in the job and why you think you are suitable to sarah@wearegrow.org.
Please do get in touch with any questions you might have about the role.
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