Community Orchardist at Urban Growers Collective Inc – Chicago, Illinois
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About This Position
Urban Growers Collective (UGC) is a Black-women led nonprofit based in Chicago, IL that aims to address inequities and structural racism that exist within the food system and communities of color. Rooted in growing food, UGC cultivates nourishing environments which support health, economic development, healing and creativity through urban agriculture.
UGC is built upon the foundation of Growing Power, a non-profit organization and land trust established in Milwaukee, WI in 1993. Erika Allen opened Growing Power’s Chicago office in February 2002 to address the need for inclusive, impactful, and economically viable food system models at all scales. After Growing Power closed, the Chicago Office leadership team formed Urban Growers Collective in 2017 to build upon its previous successes.
Today, UGC operates 8 farms over 11 acres primarily located on the South Side of Chicago, a 30-acre farm in Chicago Heights , and is a strategic partner in the 9-acre Green Era Campus renewable energy facility and hub for urban agriculture in Auburn Gresham. While our work is rooted in farming, UGC’s approach is holistic. Our farms produce over 23,000 pounds of fresh produce annually, enabling market pathways for emerging growers and increasing food access for tens of thousands of food-insecure Chicagoans. UGC’s farms also provide safe and healing spaces for life-enriching opportunities to hundreds of individuals each year through job training & education programming, public workshops, and land stewardship.
The Community Orchardist (CO) will support the development and lead the implementation of UGC’s Community Orchards and develop associated programming. In collaboration with staff, volunteers, and partners, the CO will plan, plant, maintain, and improve the orchards. They will also facilitate community orchard events and workshops to provide learning opportunities for participants. This will include actively managing UGC’s existing orchard, leading future plantings, activating UGC’s tree nursery, and creating educational materials related to fruit, nut, and native trees.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:
Orchard Maintenance & Management:
Lead orchard design, tree selection, and all on-site implementation and care.
Train & support UGC staff in orchard maintenance and care
Identify and secure project materials, as needed
Lead planting, maintenance, and harvesting events, including coordinating communication, logistics, and materials/tools.
Ongoing, regular orchard maintenance, including weeding, irrigation management, pest and disease monitoring and management, pruning and other general upkeep.
Maintenance of accurate records associated with all orchard and nursery care to support GAP certification.
Provide ongoing expertise regarding the care and maintenance of the orchard.
Activate the nursery to grow out tree whips, train growers and volunteers to support
Program Responsibility:
Assist with the development, documentation, and presentation of orchard educational materials to aid staff, volunteers, and workshop participants, including orchard and plant signage, seasonal orchard care guides, pruning guides, pest & disease identification guide, and weed identification guide; orchard harvest tracking sheet; and a variety of website resources, including downloadable lesson plans and plant info sheets.
Provide opportunities for Community Partners, volunteers, youth, and workforce development participants to receive training in best practices for orchard care and maintenance.
Work with Outreach Staff to recruit diverse participants and partners, and build volunteer leadership for the program.
Grow knowledge base of orchard care through attendance of educational opportunities and resources; shadowing of other orchards, and via additional research with guidance of UGC staff and partners.
Guide and educate volunteers during planting events with strong presentation and instructional skills.
Administrative:
Maintain tracking/information systems and administer participant surveys
Recordkeeping of trees planted, distributed, and in inventory
Assist with program reports and program evaluation
Report regularly on the status, challenges, needs, and successes of the orchard
Document event and workshop planning and record keeping tools, including communications, logistics, attendance, and materials/tools.
Minimum Qualifications
A minimum of three years of tree care and orchard management experience.
This is a hands-on job that can be physically demanding, orchardist need to be ready to work in all kinds of weather.
Preferred but not required: ISA Certified Arborist
Experience leading group volunteers in tree planting and maintenance
Demonstrated ability to create educational materials and lead activities for diverse groups
Excellent organizational, communication, and follow-through skills;
Ability to think critically and creatively;
Willingness to work as part of a team in a collaborative environment, but can work unsupervised to complete the job;
Basic familiarity with Google Workspace & GSuite, and/or willingness to learn
Passion for food justice, youth development, and urban farming.
Required: Valid Driver’s License and willingness to drive.
Required: Able to work on some weekends
Must be willing and prepared to work outdoors in all weather conditions (hot, humid, rainy, cold, snowy);
Hours vary throughout the season but are generally 8:30-5 p.m., with (2) 20min paid breaks and a 30min unpaid lunch break. Evenings may be required for community events.
This position requires excellent physical stamina and the ability to regularly lift 50 pounds.
This position requires daily use and safe-handling of farm tools, including wheelbarrows, tools, hand tools, grafting tools, and irrigation equipment.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
UGC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
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Job Location
Job Location
This job is located in the Chicago, Illinois, 60609, United States region.