Farm Engagement Coordinator

URBAN HARVEST STL: FARM ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

Urban Harvest STL builds community around inclusive and resilient local food systems. We believe all members of our community should have equitable access to fresh, healthy food regardless of socioeconomic status, race, or location and the ability to grow it if they desire. We grow healthy food and community in St. Louis through urban agriculture, environmental sustainability, and public programming. We manage a network of urban farms and distribute the majority of the food we grow through partnerships with other nonprofits to improve fresh food access for St. Louisans impacted by low food access.

Position

The Farm Engagement Coordinator (FEC) will be responsible for the implementation of educational and community engagement offerings for Urban Harvest STL and Rung for Women members including workshops, volunteer activities, and Rung member engagement events. The FEC will act as the volunteer coordinator for Urban Harvest STL’s 6 farm sites, and lead volunteers in their farm work at the Rung for Women farm. When not engaged in other work, the FEC will work with the Farm Manager and Rung Farmer on appropriate farming tasks. The Farm Engagement Coordinator is directly accountable to the Rung Farm Manager with strong collaboration expected with Farm Managers and the Director of Urban Agriculture, and the Farm Trainer and the Director of Education.

The Site

Rung for Women guides women to explore and pursue successful career pathways in high-demand industries they may not have realized were available to them. Through career coaching and a community of support, Rung members take action toward a better future for themselves – with more salary, more respect, and more fulfillment. Urban Harvest STL works within Rung’s Wellness team to provide members regular access to fresh produce, plan programs to support members’ wellness goals, and provide support for Rung initiatives, when available and as needed.

Compensation

The position requires 40 hours/week; the schedule of work will be at least 5 days per week, with required work on Monday and Saturday (Sunday and another chosen weekday are off). An occasional evening may be required. Compensation is $18.00/hour and includes a $200 monthly healthcare reimbursement, 403(B) retirement plan, paid wellness, holidays, and vacation days. Annual cell phone reimbursement at $50 per month is provided in November. Use of a personal vehicle may be necessary for Urban Harvest STL business, with reimbursement for mileage at the federal mileage reimbursement rate.

Responsibilities

Education and Community Engagement:

1. Implement workshop series to engage Rung members and UHSTL program Alumni in continuing education on urban agriculture.
2. Ensure all contractually required education and engagement activities are completed in accordance with the Rung MOU including Monthly Wellness tips, Brightspace course, and collaborative events with Rung Wellness team.
3. Supervise Rung members, Farmers In Training workers, Apprentices, and regular and periodic volunteers as necessary on daily farm tasks.
4. Model and foster a cooperative, enthusiastic, and hands-on work environment.
5. Coordinate with the Farm Trainer on the intersection of workshops and urban farming education programs.

Volunteer Management:

1. Utilize the United Way STL Volunteer platform to manage the overall UHSTL volunteer program.
2. Communicate with individual volunteers and volunteer groups as necessary.
3. Manage the Rung for Women volunteer schedule and work in partnership with the Rung for Women Volunteer Coordinator to utilize Rung volunteers and volunteer groups on the farm.
4. Orient and lead Rung for Women farm volunteers during their volunteer shifts, under the direction of the Farm Manager.

Farming:

1. Utilize organic no-till farming methods such as cover cropping, composting/vermicomposting, and crop rotation under the direction of the Farm Manager.
2. Properly harvest and handle produce according to the food safety guidelines.
3. Address pest and disease management using organic methods.
4. Cultivate seedlings in the greenhouse.
5. Nurture edible and pollinator-attracting plants in a variety of settings including greenhouse, farm rows, raised beds, a food forest, and planters.
6. Ensure that farm site, greenhouse, and storage areas are maintained and well-kept.
7. Complete assigned weekly chicken care tasks.

Collaborative and Independent Work:

1. Work collaboratively with the Rung farm team to ensure the farm is thriving.
2. Participate in regular meetings with the Rung farm staff to establish weekly priorities, task assignments, harvest strategies, volunteer tasks, farm observations, staff insights, etc.
3. Engage in independent work, carrying out the farm tasks that are mapped out at the beginning of each week.
4. Participate in recurring meetings with the Urban Harvest STL staff, Rung farm team, and Rung for Women staff.
5. Participate in member-facing activities with the Rung for Women Wellness Team, such as Wellness Week and workshops.

Other duties:

1. Manage administrative tasks associated with volunteer and community engagement offerings, including but not limited to creating flyers, communicating with workshop participants and volunteers, tracking attendance, etc.
2. Assist with annual budgeting activities to estimate costs of education and community engagement activities.
3. Tabling/Working at Earth Day (April), TG Pride or MATI (Sept), Raise the Roof (Oct) and other events as needed.
4. Follow weekly work log and record details of fieldwork accomplished.
5. Keep accurate records of harvest, donation, and distribution.
6. Maintain inventory of seeds and other supplies.

Qualifications & Skills

1. Experience developing and implementing education programs; facilitation of volunteers; and/or coordination of food donation programs preferred.
2. Exceptional verbal communication skills; a passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal and multidisciplinary project skills.
3. Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs.
4. One full season of organic vegetable farming or gardening experience is preferred.
5. Ability to work effectively in collaboration with diverse groups of people and stakeholders.
6. An action-oriented, entrepreneurial, and adaptable personality that excels in a dynamic and innovative environment.
7. Degree in a relevant field or combination of experience and training resulting in equivalent knowledge and skills.
8. A passion for urban agriculture, health, and community development.
9. Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Google Drive, and databases.
10. Willingness to work in year-round St. Louis outdoor weather conditions.
11. Must be willing to use a personal computer and cell phone.

To apply, please complete our online application here. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Priority application date is April 23, 2025 with an anticipated start date of May 12, 2025. Please contact careers@urbanharveststl.org with any questions. For more information about Urban Harvest STL, please visit our website at https://www.urbanharveststl.org.

Equity and Anti-Discrimination Policy

Urban Harvest STL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or marital status in any of its activities or operations. This policy applies to hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers, and provision of services. We are committed to creating a welcoming environment on our farms for all community participants, visitors, partners, employees, and board members. We acknowledge that intersecting structures in our food system marginalize, oppress, and exploit Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). We also acknowledge that BIPOC growers have shaped agriculture as we know it today, while their crucial contributions have gone largely unrecognized. By centering racial equity, we commit to working toward a just food system in all aspects of our work. We expect that staff members will advocate for our core value of equity in all aspects of their stewardship of our organization’s mission and goals.