Farm Manager

About This Opportunity

QBG Farm is a place where New Yorkers can participate and learn about urban farming through tours, workshops, internships, and volunteer opportunities. Fruit and vegetables are grown with a focus on soil health and care, without the use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Crops harvested are distributed at our weekly farm stand and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Program, as well as shared with interns, volunteers, and donated to local food relief programs.

The part-time temporary Farm Manager will support the QBG Farm- a one-acre farm that bridges sustainable agriculture, community, and education. The Farm invites the public to learn about the importance of urban agriculture and soil health. QBG is proud to have a closed-loop system where horticulture waste is processed into compost and used on the farm as organic fertilizer.

Responsibilities:

• Seed starting, direct seeding, and transplanting
• Perform all labor necessary to maintain the farm per botanical garden standards
• Experience with mowers, string trimmers, etc.
• Maintain and harvest crops with support from volunteers and interns
• Maintain orderly records of crops, purchases, and other farm related data including tracking of budget
• Maintain cleanliness and effectiveness of farm tools and machinery and keep an accurate inventory
• Maintain farm structures and repair damaged structures on Farm
• Maintain standard operating procedures for a safe, efficient farm operations
• Facilitate farm access to the public via farm open hours, tours and farm stand
• Lead farm workshops; conduct tours
• Manage relationships and coordinate donations of produce to local food pantries
• Oversee supervision of high school interns; work with other volunteer groups.
• Maintain "Standard Operating Procedures" for a safe, efficient farm operation
• Availability on occasional weekends

Qualifications

• Prior experience working on a vegetable farm or garden for a minimum of one season
• Strong work ethic
• Agricultural background
• Strong farming skills and experience, including a knowledge of organic farming practices:
  • Experience with high yield organic crop production and soil management
  • Plant identification skills
  • Knowledge of drip irrigation system
  • Knowledge of IPM
• Excellent communication skills
• Bilingual, English and Spanish preferred
• Ability to move 50 + pounds
• Availability on occasional weekends

Schedule & Salary

This is a part-time temporary position available from August through October while current Farm Manager is on leave. Position available for minimum of 20 hours and up to 28 hours per week. A flexible weekday schedule may be worked out with the successful candidate with occasional weekend work required.

Salary: $28/hour

For consideration, please submit your resume, cover letter, and any relevant documents via our Career Center.

If you encounter difficulties with uploading documents to the portal, please send via email to hr@queensbotanical.org.

Health & Safety: proof of full Covid-19 vaccination strongly recommended for employment.

Queens Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). The Garden does not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, national origin, disability (physical or mental), age, marital status, veteran/active military service member status, political affiliation, mental illness, socioeconomic status or background, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, genetic information, immigration or citizenship status, status as victim of domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking, arrest or conviction record, pre-employment marijuana testing, sexual and reproductive health decisions, employment/unemployment status, salary history, credit history, marital/partnership stratus, caregiver status, height and weight, or any other legally protected status. Minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, please contact Human Resources via email or phone 718-886-3800 x 203.