Coordinator of Student Initiated Garden Project

Introduction

Cornell College ENACTUS Team, in conjunction with other student groups, desires to develop a garden that will provide fresh produce for student meals, be sold in the community to raise money to expand the garden, or for other community development projects, or be available for community members to raise and/or sell their own produce. 

The garden provides the campus community with an environment in which students may practice small-scale food production while learning the entrepreneurial skills of a small business.

Job Description

Coordinators will work collaboratively with the ENACTUS Team Sponsor to plan the garden (e.g., what crops to grow and the layout of the garden), determine when to plant and harvest; facilitate care for soil and plants, possibly including removal of trees; organize and oversee volunteers; plan and coordinate sale of produce through appropriate venues, and; manage equipment and supplies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Manage operations

-Create a garden and grow produce on a plot no smaller than 1200 square feet.  Do all planting, weeding, watering, fertilizing, and harvesting. 

-Sell crops at the Farmer’s Market or find other venues to sell crops.

-Coordinate and oversee community plots, if/when they are available.

-Maintain a positive and motivating atmosphere

Promote the garden and its values

-Keep the Cornell community informed about the garden and promote its mission and work with presentations, updates, etc.

-Recruit volunteers for the garden.

Maintain detailed records

-Records of plants

-What was planted (including what variety of what plant)

-When it was planted (time of year, time of day)

-Where in the garden it was planted (which plot, which part of the plot)

-What was planted around it

-What practices were used to plant and maintain gardens (what kinds of fertilizers, mulch, was it watered with rain water or tap water, et cetera)

-People in charge of community plots

-Who was assigned what plots

-Who worked in the garden

-When they worked

-A garden calendar: what should be planted when, list of outstanding tasks, et cetera.

-Maintain detailed budget records of income and expenses related to the garden

-Write a report summarizing the activities and accomplishments of the garden

Stay informed

-Research other campuses that have gardens, their approach and organization, and important ideas and insights, etc.

-Stay informed of best practices in gardening including organic techniques

Maintain good relations with others

-Introduce yourself to neighbors and provide contact information in case of questions or concerns.

-Maintain an appropriate and positive relationship with the Mount Vernon community.

Qualifications 

Coordinators must be comfortable working outdoors under physically demanding circumstances. Candidates must be:

-Passionately committed to gardening and community gardens

-Able to work independently

-Able to recruit, manage, and motivate volunteers

-Able to work effectively with the ENACTUS Sponsor

-Able to publicize and promote the garden and its value, purpose, and importance

-Able to effectively manage the financial aspects of the garden project

First-hand knowledge of agriculture practices, field experience in gardening or farming, people management skills, and time management skills is preferred.