School Grown Farm Coordinator

School Grown Farm Coordinator

FoodShare is a food justice organization, advocating for the right to food and working to challenge the systemic barriers that keep people from accessing food. We support community-led food initiatives and work alongside those most impacted by poverty and food insecurity including Black and Indigenous people, people of colour, people with disabilities and those living on a low income.

Overview:

The School Grown Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute Farm, a Community Food Growing (CFG) project, is a youth-centred urban farming and food justice program in Etobicoke, Toronto. We create opportunities for youth to expand their knowledge base, develop their leadership skills, and positively engage with each other, their community, and the environment. Since 2019, we have strived to improve access to healthy, affordable produce while nurturing a new generation of green leaders.

The Farm Coordinator will coordinate the farm, including three acres of market garden and orchard site, community compost and shelterbelt at a Toronto District School Board high school located at Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute (BCI). The position also involves supervising and training high school youth staff, co-op students, and students working in the garden during class time and supporting educational opportunities for community members on the farm.

The Coordinator will execute seasonal crop plans together, manage weekly produce distributions, host volunteer sessions, ensure overall site maintenance, and support public programs on the farms. They will also lead adult volunteers and supervise high school-aged farm apprentices as they engage in a variety of farm tasks. Emails, data entry (planting logs, harvest tallies, volunteer numbers), and related office work will also be required on a weekly basis. While some tasks and responsibilities will remain shared between the Coordinators, other duties will be delegated to an individual Coordinator. The position is in collaboration with the School Grown Youth Engagement Coordinator

Employment in this role is conditional upon obtaining a clear Vulnerable Sector Check, which is required prior to the start date. Additionally, the successful applicant will need to obtain Food Handler Safety certification and Standard First Aid + CPR certification. FoodShare will cover the costs of these certifications.

Duties include (but are not limited to):

1. Oversee coordinated production plans for the space: 

• Develop, implement, and coordinate production plans and systems: Lead all aspects of crop production, including soil management and field preparation, greenhouse seeding and seedling management, transplanting, direct seeding, weeding, irrigation, harvesting, and post-harvest handling of produce.
• Manage the orchard, shelterbelt, and pollinator areas to adhere to the maintenance plan with the team on site.
• Liaise with community stakeholders and project partners to provide technical expertise and consultation and/or oversee the farm components such as irrigation, plant stock, storage units, fences, and compost.
• Improve and implement site fertility, undesired plants considered as weeds, pest, and disease management plans.
• Maintain all required supplies, tools, and small farm machinery in good working condition.
• Maintain attractive, productive, and ecologically friendly growing spaces. This includes organically controlling insects and weeds, monitoring fertility, and conducting formal field observations.
• Plan weekly harvests, including setting up systems for youth staff, volunteers, and residents to participate and track yields.
• Support the distribution channels for ongoing produce sales, such as the farmers' market, Food Program staff, school cafeterias, and food justice initiatives.
• Oversee the maintenance of farm implements, infrastructure, tools, and supplies, and budget for repairs, replacements, and upgrades.  

2. Manage and Animate On-site Community Compost: 

• Establish a community composting program, including installing three-cell compost bins, training students to install and maintain the system, and conducting community outreach to encourage use.

3. Supervise and Train Farm Youth,  Volunteers and Support Teachers:

• Train and supervise farm-based work days for youth staff, co-op students, visiting classes, and volunteers in alignment with the farm production and marketing plans, including regular check-ins for feedback and planning.
• Coordinate the delivery of capacity-building training and knowledge exchange sessions for farmers (crop planning, season extension, soil health, irrigation and other technical farm training).
• Coordinate standards development, ensure site safety through best practices for safely using tools and supplies, and ensure that people on-site receive appropriate training. 
• Facilitate farm team meetings and oversee the seasonal work plan and weekly and daily “to-do” lists.
• Serve as a resource for teachers as they plan their curriculum-linked outdoor classroom use.

4. Administrative Tasks 

• Collect data and write monthly reports on market garden production and activities. 
• Track revenues and expenses associated with School Grown projects
• Safely operate and maintain machinery, including BCS tractor and string trimmer
• Ensure all relevant documentation/records are maintained and kept in a secure location
• Support site visits from funders, students, teachers, peer programs, and others;
• Facilitate evaluation processes and support reporting to funders. 
• Participate in FoodShare staff and team meetings, all staff training, and reporting requirements (such as timesheets) and handle other duties as assigned 

Required Qualifications, Knowledge, and Experience:

• Legally authorized to work in Canada.
• 3+ years of direct work experience with a market garden and diversified vegetable farm.
• 3+ years of experience with administrative and financial activities associated with crop production, including well-developed budgeting and variance reporting experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with youth and showing respect for youth culture, knowledge, and lived experiences.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing irrigation systems, including PVC piping, drip tape, sprinklers, and misters for fields and wash/pack areas.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of anti-oppression, anti-racism, and equity frameworks, with a commitment to upholding these principles within the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully with people of different ages, genders, abilities, cultural backgrounds, and individuals who experience marginalization.
• Strong networking, community engagement, and partnership development skills.
• Exceptional ability to manage time, prioritize tasks, and work independently.
• Strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving, conflict resolution, and change management skills.
• Collaborative leader who fosters consensus and builds positive team dynamics.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to passionately convey FoodShare’s vision to diverse audiences.
• Computer skills (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, basic design work, Canva, Google Suite, Zoom).

Requirements:

• Repetitive tasks such as bending, crouching, lifting, and reaching.
• Full shifts standing and working on your feet.
• Use of hand tools and mechanized equipment.
• Regularly lifting over 40 lbs.
• Working outdoors in all kinds of weather (heat, sun, rain, cold).
• Fully graduated G driver’s license.
• • Access to a vehicle is an asset for this role, if you do not have your own vehicle you may use a FoodShare vehicle if you meet the following criteria:
  • • A valid Ontario G License, a minimum of 3 years of insured experience, with no major driving infractions in the last 7 years. A Drivers Abstract may be required.

Salary and Benefits:

Total Compensation

• Salary: $56,000/ Annually (37.5 hours per week)*
• Contract Type: Fixed term - Full-time, from March 2025 to December 18, 2025, with the opportunity for extension
• Vacation: 4 weeks paid vacation per year, prorated based on start date
•  FoodShare Benefit Reimbursement of up to $1,500 per calendar year, prorated based on start date.

Additional Leave

• Personal Leave Days: 10 paid personal leave days per year, prorated based on start date
• Wellness Days: 20 paid wellness days/sick leave per year, prorated based on start date

*Note: As part of FoodShare’s commitment to equity, salaries and benefits are non-negotiable

Additional Information:

Contract Type: Fixed Term, Full-Time

Reports to: Community Food Growing Senior Manager

Supervises: Miziwe Biik job training staff, Seasonal Youth hired through Canada Summer Jobs and Focus on Youth students, Coop Students and Interns.

Location: BCI Farm operation at 500 the East Mall, with some in-person meetings at 120 Industry St. or other partner locations across Toronto as needed.

TO APPLY: Please submit your resume and cover letter by 9:00 am on Monday, February 10, 2025, by clicking the 'Apply Now' below.

Selection Process:

• FoodShare’s recruitment process involves the anonymization of all resumes prior to their being screened by the hiring committee. This step removes applicant personal details (names, email, addresses), educational & employment institutions, years of work experience, and personal interests to reduce potential for bias. Please make sure to detail your experience in your resume/cover letter to ensure the committee has the information they need to assess your qualifications for the role. This process takes at least 3 weeks from the application deadline.
• The hiring committee will review anonymized versions of the applications that pass the initial screening and decide which to invite to interview. This process usually takes about 1 week.
• The hiring committee will conduct first round interviews with selected candidates. Candidates will be sent the interview questions 48 hours in advance of their scheduled interview. Candidates are welcome, but not expected or required, to send any questions they have for the hiring committee in advance of the interview. These usually occur about 4 weeks after the application deadline.
• In recognition of the time and labour of preparing for and attending an interview, FoodShare financially compensates interviewees at a fixed rate of $75 per interview.
• HR will conduct reference checks for the candidate they intend to extend an offer to. This process usually takes about 1 week.
• HR will send the selected candidate an Employment Agreement, which the candidate will have at least 3 business days to review and return.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team! FoodShare is a food justice organization. This means that we are committed to working to identify and dismantle systemic forms of oppression that cause and perpetuate food security inequities.

Racialized people and others from equity-seeking groups are over-represented in food insecurity and poverty statistics, but are significantly under-represented in community based food organizations. We believe that those most affected by an issue must have access to paid positions in organizations tasked with challenging poverty and food insecurity. FoodShare strives to create a workspace that reflects the diversity of identities and lived experiences that exist within the communities we work alongside. If you see yourself reflected in 80% of the requirements for this role, please consider applying.

If you require accommodation when navigating the application process, please contact: hr@foodshare.net.