Guidestone seeks a Farm Production Lead to be responsible for the production at the Community & School Farm (C&S Farm), including starting plants from seeds in our greenhouse, preparing beds in the high tunnels and production fields, leading volunteers to plant, seed, cultivate, and harvest crops, and creating and maintaining a vibrant community farm space. The C&S Farm is a 4-acre parcel owned by the Salida School District. Guidestone holds a 20- year lease for the Farm to School Program to grow food for school cafeterias, the hospital and community, and lead farm education and community service opportunities on the site. This member will work very closely with our Farm to School (F2S) Program Director, other Farm to School AmeriCorps members and volunteers to connect the community to the earth and their food, as part of our district-wide Farm to School program, bridging gaps that enable partner organizations to be more efficient and effective at providing healthy food to rural youth. The C&S Farm has a 24’x48’ high tunnel, a 16’x24’ movable high tunnel, and a 42’ diameter dome greenhouse to extend the season, along with a 3⁄4-acre production field, small orchard, and raised beds in the front garden. In addition, the Farm Production Lead will support local food systems efforts through outreach and engagement with the Chaffee Local Food Coalition.
Service Activities
• Build, maintain, and expand production at the Community & School Farm through a full growing season.
• Raise greenhouse transplants, complete direct seeding and transplanting according to the Community & School Farm crop plan
• In coordination with the Farm to School Director, prepare beds in the production field, front raised garden beds, high tunnels and greenhouse for planting and seeding.
• Assist with our ongoing shift in production to low-till. farming; which includes tasks such as using occultation tarps, a flame weeder, and a walk-behind tractor with a flail mower to manage cover crops.
• Support the Guidestone plant sales by helping to seed, pot up and label seedlings.
• Lead individual volunteers and school and community service groups in farm tasks, including transplanting,
seeding, weeding and harvesting crops, and maintaining the farm
• Manage harvests for school, hospital, CSA, and Youth Farmers Market
Community Need Addressed
The Farm Production Lead position at Guidestone Colorado will address the specific unmet community need of localizing the food system in the central Rocky Mountains and southwestern Colorado. By taking a hands-on approach to agriculture, this position aims to contribute to social, economic, and environmental health in rural communities. The Community & School Farm (C&S Farm) owned by the Salida School District plays a crucial role in meeting this need by growing food for school cafeterias, the hospital, and the community. The Farm Production Lead will be responsible for the production at the C&S Farm, starting plants from seeds, leading volunteers, and maintaining a vibrant community farm space. The goal is to bridge gaps and enable partner organizations to be more efficient in providing healthy food to rural youth, fostering a deeper connection between the community and the source of their food.
Position Outcomes
The desired result or quantifiable change that will occur due to the service of the Farm Production Lead position is the expansion and sustainability of agricultural production at the Community & School Farm. The Farm Production Lead will play a key role in raising greenhouse transplants, direct seeding, transplanting, and cultivating crops according to the farm's crop plan. The shift toward low-till farming, with the use of techniques such as occultation tarps and flame weeders, reflects a commitment to sustainable agricultural practices. The outcomes include increased harvests for school, hospital, CSA, and Youth Farmers Market, contributing to improved food security and access to locally grown produce. Furthermore, the position will support local food systems efforts through outreach and engagement with the Chaffee Local Food Coalition, fostering collaboration and coordination in the region. Overall, the Farm Production Lead's service is expected to result in a more robust and resilient local food system, positively impacting the health and well-being of the community.
Benefits
Education award upon successful completion of service, Living allowance
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization