Position: Joint head grower
Contract: Permanent
Wage: Real Living wage (currently £10.90/hr, due to go up April 2024)
Hours: 4 days / week (30 hours)
Starting: January 2024
School Farm CSA is a 3 acre organic market garden situated on The Dartington Estate. The business was founded in 2012 and is structured as a CIC. The principle activity of the farm is to produce for approximately 100 veg shares each week for our CSA members. Machinery is limited to a 2 wheel BCS tractor. Alongside this, we run a weekly volunteer day and put on seasonal events. The farm sustains its core activity through veg sales, independent of grant funding. In short, we aim to be an efficient and productive market garden which places a high priority on biodiversity, and also engages in community building.
This is a management role as much as it is a grower’s role. The successful applicant will be responsible for running the CSA alongside the other head grower. We are looking for someone who has long term aspirations in the role, is willing to bring a high level of commitment, and is up for engaging in the project deeply to see it go from strength to strength. After a 6 month review, the successful applicant will become a Director, alongside the current team of 6.
In addition to the main work of growing, exact responsibilities will be established through discussion with the other head grower, but may include:
Overseeing all aspects of production from crop planning to leading the harvest
Creating budgets and business plans, and bookkeeping
Planning work schedules, and managing other members of the team
Facilitating volunteer groups, and giving farm tours
Writing newsletters to CSA members and general communications
Overseeing maintenance of infrastructure
Putting on farm open days
In short, a diverse skill set is required. The pay is currently at the Real Living Wage. We hope the farm will be able to support wage increases in the future to reflect the skills and dedication that is required for the job. The new joint head grower will be an active part of developing ways to increase farm income to support this.
Essential skills/experiences:
A strong work ethic, and a real passion for the work
Willingness to lead a team, and capacity to work in a team
Good communication skills
Experience as a grower within a commercial setting (minimum 1 year)
Applications: Please send to info@schoolfarmcsa.org.uk with subject: “joint head grower” including a CV and cover letter (maximum 1 page) describing how your interests and experience are relevant to the role.
Deadline for applications: Sunday 19th November. We reserve the right to close applications early if we feel we have found the right person ahead of the deadline.
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