Garden & Volunteer Coordinator

Organization: EarthDance Organic Farm School

Mission: EarthDance advances food justice by training organic farmers and gardeners of all ages, providing connection to healthy food and the land, and cultivating vibrant community.

Position: Garden & Volunteer Coordinator

Location: 233 S Dade Ave, Ferguson, MO 63135 (St. Louis, Missouri)

Hours: Full-time, 40 hours/week; The schedule for this position will be Monday to Friday during the off-season (November through February) and Tuesday to Saturday during the growing season (March through October)

Classification: Exempt (salaried)

Position Starts: February 1, 2025

Reports to: Director of Agriculture & Education

Organization Overview:

Founded in 2008, EarthDance Organic Farm School is a grassroots nonprofit organization based in Ferguson, Missouri. EarthDance offers a variety of programs to educate people of all ages about organic farming and gardening, healthy food and sustainability. Our suite of educational offerings are equity centered and rooted in regenerative organic principles that include hands-on education and training on the farm. EarthDance’s core educational programs include Spring Training for Gardeners, farm apprenticeships, service learning  and volunteer opportunities, and educational farm tours. In addition, there are collaborative programs and partnerships where EarthDance provides space, education, and support, including the Farm to School initiative with the Ferguson-Florissant School District, hosting community events, and welcoming all kinds of groups to the farm, from summer campers to university students to corporate teams, and more. We also host and engage people from all walks of life via concerts, potlucks, and other special events. 

Job Description Summary:

EarthDance is seeking a self-motivated, creative, and resourceful individual with excellent organizational and communication skills, experience working with diverse community groups, and the ability and desire to perform physical work outdoors. The position will be responsible for all aspects of volunteer coordination including recruitment, leading volunteer orientations, leading individuals and groups on farm and garden tasks, and managing volunteer tracking systems. The Garden and Volunteer Coordinator will work with EarthDance’s partner organization Operation Food Search (OFS) in their teaching garden by providing education, garden management, and technical support. The position will play a key role in coordinating and overseeing work conducted in EarthDance’s auxiliary gardens (demonstration/education garden, rain garden, native garden) and carried out by volunteers. 

Required Skills, Qualifications, and Knowledge:

• Must be comfortable with active, physical outdoor work in a range of weather conditions, and should be able to lift 50 lbs.
• Ability to work independently and be flexible
• Experience recruiting, leading, and building relationships with volunteers
• Gardening and/or farming experience (minimum 2 seasons)
• Experience working with diverse groups and external partners (i.e. students, retirees, religious and professional groups from different backgrounds and industries, etc)
• Experience working effectively as part of a team
• Organized and detail-oriented
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Passionate about organic food, farming/gardening, and food justice
• Knack for troubleshooting and problem solving issues, especially technical issues

Desired Skills, Qualifications, and Knowledge: 

• Knowledge and skills in botany, environmental science, health and nutrition, food systems, food access
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including public speaking skills
• Project management skills
• Teaching experience, either formal or informal
• Experience working for a non-profit organization
• A personal interest in urban farming or gardening and a willingness to learn more
• Experience with tending backyard chickens
• Experience working with Microsoft Office, Google Suite; drive, docs, slides, sheets, Google Calendar and Zoom

Primary Responsibilities:

Garden Coordination & Maintenance (40%)

• Organize, design and plan garden activities in EarthDance’s auxiliary gardens and OFS Teaching Garden 
• Coordinate and lead weekly volunteer shifts to tend to the variety of garden tasks needed throughout the season (seed starting, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, mulching, etc.) or for special garden projects
• Assist with building a community volunteer base for the maintenance of Earthdance’s auxiliary gardens

• Devise annual Crop Plan for EarthDance’s demonstration garden and OFS’s Teaching Garden; determine quantities of seeds and seedlings needed and work collaboratively with the farm team to order seeds and start seedlings in the EarthDance greenhouse as needed
• In consultation with the Director of Ag & Educ, provide technical assistance to OFS Teaching Garden regarding such needs as post-harvest handling, irrigation set-up, and/or wash/pack station design
• In collaboration with the Director of Ag & Educ, develop curriculum and teach 4 gardening classes to food pantry/agency partners at OFS Teaching Garden throughout the season

Volunteer (Service Learning) Coordination (40%)

• Maintain programming registration links (various) for volunteers and communicate response data
• Email, digital, and verbal communication with volunteers to share information and develop process improvements for service learning program, including creating and disseminating a monthly volunteer newsletter
• Lead volunteer orientations monthly (2nd Saturday, March-September)
• Lead individuals and volunteer groups through various gardening and farming activities at Earthdance and OFS Teaching Garden
• Maintain accurate records, including a log of individual and group volunteer hours and contact information, each season
• Seek feedback on volunteer participation from the farm team to manage for adjustments to volunteer activities or to address potential concerns
• Assist Programs team in planning EarthDance volunteer appreciation activities and events 
• Take photos of volunteers and tours in action and share with other team members for marketing
• Field communications from individuals and groups interested in volunteering and coordinate with other staff as needed to determine the organization’s volunteer needs
• Collaborate with EarthDance Marketing team to promote volunteer opportunities
• Follow up with volunteer groups and individuals to build lasting volunteer relationships
• Communicate with current, potential, and former volunteers as needed through various channels, including but not limited to: email, phone, social media, in-person

Outreach & Tours (10%)

• Field tour requests and schedule tour groups
• Schedule and lead (or find someone to lead) tour groups on educational tours
• Coordinate outreach / tabling events to recruit volunteers
• Coordinate logistics and participate in outreach events as needed

Team (10%)

• Attend weekly staff meetings on Wednesday mornings and stand up meetings
• Participate in JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) discussions and shared learning
• Participate in Professional Development opportunities
• Provide general support for major events as needed, i.e. Farmers Formal

Other Requirements

1. Cell phone communication, use of personal laptop
2. Reliable transportation; TRAVEL IS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION – EarthDance provides mileage reimbursement at the federal IRS-determined rate.

Deadline to apply:  January 3, 2025 @ 4pm

Fair Hiring Statement 

EarthDance is committed to fostering a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, or veteran status. We value people's lived experiences, especially those who have been marginalized in the food system in the United States, and especially encourage people of color and residents of the farm’s surrounding communities to apply for open positions at EarthDance.

Compensation:

• Salary: $39,000 annually (via direct deposit 1x/month)
• Benefits, including a comprehensive health insurance package and options (medical, dental, vision, life), SIMPLE IRA and employer matching contribution upon meeting eligibility requirements
• Weekly shares of produce May-October
• Opportunities for professional development
• 3 weeks of accrued paid time off annually (the week between Dec 24th – Jan 1st, plus two additional weeks)