Kitchen Garden Horticulturist Jobs

Salary Range

$17-22/hr

Schedule

Full-time; 37.5 hours per week.

The Kitchen Garden is a mission-driven, organic, community-focused produce garden and display area, prominently located near the Conservatory and the Tignor Apiary. Started in 2009, this garden has produced over 50,000 pounds of fresh, healthy, locally-grown produce – all grown and harvested by staff and volunteers and donated to the community. The Kitchen Garden Horticulturist will lead the planning, design, maintenance, and interpretation of the garden as part of the Garden’s efforts to address food insecurity in the Richmond community.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborate for Apiary operation and management.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Horticulture Section Leaders or their designee
• Harvest, cull, handle and weigh produce using Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP).
• Partner with Marketing for the development of Kitchen Garden interpretive and promotional materials including pamphlets and brochures, maps, blogposts, press releases, etc.
• Diligently tend to plant health by applying organic, ecosystem-based, sustainable
• Participate in weekly group maintenance tasks such as blowing walkways, filling gas cans, and caring for tools and equipment.
• Interact with the public on an informal basis by answering questions, providing directions, etc. Lead small Kitchen Garden tours.
• Collaborate with Advancement staff to develop and maintain funding opportunities for the Kitchen Garden.
• Maintain various established demonstration-quality growing strategies including in-ground plantings, raised beds, containers gardening, various vertical-growing models, companion planting, etc., plus contribute new ideas and techniques.
• Research vegetable cultivars, plan crop sequences, and design bed layouts to achieve the garden’s production, display, and interpretive goals.
• Lead and supervise Assistant Horticulturists, Seasonal Gardeners, interns, volunteers, and corporate groups. Collaborate with Manager of Volunteers.
• Operate push mowers, weed-whackers, backpack blowers, push blowers, garden ATVs, tractors, pickup trucks, and other power equipment in accordance with LGBG safety protocols and regulatory standards (training will be provided).
• Utilize shovels, trowels, fan rakes, grading rakes, spades, digging forks, pickaxes, brooms, hand shears, hand saws, loppers, pole pruners & pole saws, wheelbarrows, fertilizer spreaders, garden carts, ladders, and other hand tools to complete assigned tasks.
• Work daily to support and maintain a diverse planting of fruits, vegetables, and herbs through pruning, grooming, weeding, mulching, watering, fertilizing, and scouting.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies including biological, mechanical, and cultural controls. Coordinate scouting and control treatments with IPM Horticulturist.
• Participate in group projects and meetings with other horticulture staff and in cross-departmental projects.
• Work collaboratively with a dynamic team to achieve horticultural standards of excellence.
• Deliver fresh produce to local foodbanks and other community partners.
• Safe and correct use of Garden tools and equipment.

Skills and Abilities

• The ability to research vegetable cultivars and to plan crop sequences and design bed layouts.
• The ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• A demonstrated understanding of the horticultural practices and procedures required for soil preparation, planting & transplanting, mulching, watering, weeding, fertilizing, pruning, propagating, mowing, raking, sweeping & blowing, and tree & brush cutting.
• A willingness to interact with the public on an informal basis by answering questions, providing directions, etc.
• The ability to operate push mowers, riding mowers, weed-whackers, backpack blowers, push blowers, garden ATVs, pickup trucks, chainsaws and other power equipment safely and effectively.
• The ability to use shovels, trowels, fan rakes, grading rakes, spades, digging forks, pickaxes, brooms, hand shears, hand saws, loppers, pole pruners & pole saws, wheelbarrows, fertilizer spreaders, garden carts, ladders, and other hand tools effectively.
• Knowledge of and experience with edible landscapes and/or agricultural crop maintenance practices and plant care appropriate to the region.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Strong work ethic, keen interest in sustainable agriculture and organic food production, and an enthusiasm for physical work outdoors.

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

• Must be able to bend, squat, kneel, stand and walk for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to lift 50 pounds repeatedly.
• Must be able to work out-of-doors in Central Virginia seasonal extremes.
• The physical strength, dexterity, and coordination sufficient to perform the above functions.

Note: Duties described above, other duties and physical demands have been identified as essential functions as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Education and Experience

• Proficiency in conversational Spanish desired
• Virginia Pesticide Applicator’s License (or the ability to obtain one within six months of hire).
• An Associate’s degree in Horticulture, Botany, Plant Science, or a related field.
• One years’ professional experience growing vegetables and fruits in a production setting.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Other combinations of education / experience appropriate to the job will be considered.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, to Human Resources at [email protected]