Organic Market Gardener

Reporting to: Managing Director

Hourly rate: £9.60 per hour

Hours of work: 17.5 per week (35 per week for first 6 months)

Annual leave: 15 days per year (30 days for full-time equivalent)

Organisation description

Formally established in 2017, Jubilee Community Benefit Society is a Christian and cooperative creation care organisation working for the benefit of both a geographical community of all backgrounds and beliefs, the town of Larne and the surrounding area of East and South Antrim, and a community of interest, the churches of Ireland. We define creation care as environmental and agricultural stewardship that incorporates flourishing and fairness, welfare and wellbeing. In seeking to implement this holistic vision, our mission is to practice and promote care farming, community-supported agriculture (CSA), and conservation education and engagement. Visit www.jubilee.coop for more information.

Project description

In purchasing and developing Jubilee Farm, the first community-owned farm in Northern Ireland, we aim to produce a range of high-quality, certified-organic food that is healthy, humane, fair and sustainable, while also providing a series of care farming, and conservation education and engagement services, that inspire, inform and benefit those who take part in them. The organic market gardener will be responsible for developing and managing the 1 – 2 acre market garden, working alongside a diverse group of interns, volunteers, care farming clients and other stakeholders, with the produce marketed primarily through Northern Ireland’s first community-supported agriculture (CSA) scheme. Jubilee Farm’s 5 year Business Plan is available at www.jubilee.coop/shareoffer.

The role will be full-time for six months to allow the initially 1 acre market garden to be established. Once established, and with the contribution of seasonal and year round interns, we anticipate a half-time role managing a 1 acre market garden, which will gradually increase to a full-time role managing a 2 acre market garden as demand allows.

Role description and requirements

The organic market gardener role will involve:

• Designing and establishing a 1 – 2 acre market garden, including sourcing appropriate seeds, plants, etc and relevant machinery, equipment, polytunnels, etc.

• Operating and managing the market garden for year-round, certified-organic vegetable production, including relevant machinery and equipment, and its integration with livestock production and other farm activities.

• Managing interns, volunteers, care farming clients and other stakeholders when working in market garden.

• Managing horticultural compliance with organic standards/certifying body.

• Coordination of harvest, preparation, packing and delivery of produce.

• Contributing to the overall organisational effectiveness and to perform any other duties as deemed appropriate by the Managing Director.

Essential criteria

• Qualification in horticulture, organic gardening or equivalent.

• Two years experience of working in a commercial market garden.

• Full, clean driving licence.

• Willingness to work within Jubilee’s Christian ethos.

• Experience of working with volunteers and interns.

• A motivated, flexible and innovative approach to market gardening, able to work independently and as part of a team.

Desirable criteria:

• Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in horticulture, organic gardening or equivalent.

• Experience of managing volunteers and interns.

• Experience of contributing to or delivering horticultural education programmes.

Application

Please send a 2 page CV as well as 1 page covering letter detailing how you meet the requirements of the role and why you are interested in the role to mail@jubilee.coop by 5pm on Wednesday 21st November 2018. The CV must include the details of 2 referees, including your current or most recent employer. References will be taken from all candidates invited to interview.

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 28th November 2018 in Larne, Co Antrim if the applicant is based on the island of Ireland, or by Skype if the applicant is not based on the island of Ireland. The role will begin on Monday 7th January 2019.

For more information contact Dr Jonny Hanson via jonny.hanson@jubilee.coop

We are an equal opportunities employer