The Lead Farmer position plays a critical role in the overall success of Spaces of Opportunity to grow produce and support the overall operations of the 10.5 acres in production. Reporting to the Community Food Systems Manager, the Lead Farmer works as part of a team to develop the Farmer Incubator Program and farm functions at Spaces. Over 20 farmers from all over the world cultivate between 1/8 and 1 acre on site. The Lead Farmer helps these farmers by providing coaching and technical assistance via on-on-one support and facilitation of regular farmer meetings for sustainable and traditional growing practices.

This position will support overall farm functions at Spaces by utilizing a tractor to oversee the design and cultivation of the incubator farm with the goal of increasing (vegetable) production in unison with increasing market demand. Maintain farm roads, irrigation, and assist farmers and gardeners with tractor-required tasks and weed management. Under the direction of the Community Food Systems Manager, the Lead Farmer will cultivate one ¼ parcel for Spaces of Opportunity programing.

Essential Duties

• Install and maintain flood irrigation system and pipes as needed
• Work directly with farmers to create plot maps, crops plans, harvest logs
• With support of the Community Food System Manager, facilitate monthly farmer meetings; 
• Collect and track fee payments from farmer incubators
• Ensure incubator farmer compliance with SOO practices as described in the farmers manual
• Support training and coaching of incubator farmers with skill development, technical assistance, and growing method
• Assist manager with annual assessment of growers
• Operate and conduct general maintenance of tractor, including upkeeping maintenance logs
• Assist in creating curriculum based on key cultivation skills related to urban farming
• Facilitate monthly trainings for Apprentice and Incubator farmers 
• Utilize tractor to maintain walkways and spread mulch on farm paths; weed common areas, and maintain tree ditches
• Perform general maintenance on tractor
• Assist farmers and gardeners with tractor work to prepare farm plots and garden beds for planting
• Develop plan, timeline, strategy, and implementation for weed control at Spaces
• Cover crop management 
• Coordinate with Market Manager from Spaces of Opportunity to ensure produce is meeting market demand
• Develop annual farm operation Budget
• Manage irrigation system and irrigation schedule for water delivery to all growing spaces on-site, ensure community orchard trees are watered and irrigated as needed
• Participate in support of farmers at the Spaces Farmers Market
• Lead for any new farmers coming onto the land under the supervision of the Community Food System Manager; determine plot size and layout, orientate new farmers to Spaces policies and practices

• Farm-specific training and/or agriculture degree preferred
• At least 500 hours of tractor operation and maintenance experience; Demonstrated ability to operate a standard farm tractor, perform general maintenance, and implement a rigorous safety program
• Minimum of two years of farm management including crop planning, flood irrigation, and utilization of organic soil amendments
• Demonstrated knowledge of food safety standards
• Experience in produce marketing and sales preferred
• Experience in farmers markets and community supported agriculture models preferred
• Bi-lingual highly preferred
• Successful record of accomplishment in farm management, community gardening and multi-partner collaborations
• Proven leadership ability to inspire others, manage a team, and foster a culture of learning and sharing with farmers
• Ability to problem solve a variety of onsite issues and communicate these issues with the leadership.
• Working knowledge of sustainable and alternative growing practices
• Ability to work with diverse and multi-national groups
• Proven record of accomplishment with vegetable production in the desert climate
• Ability to problem-solve with proven initiative and resourcefulness 
• Ability to communicate on multiple platforms simultaneously (text, WhatsApp, email)
• Proficient with in Word, Excel, Google tools, campground (or willing to learn)Valid Arizona driver’s license required 

$21.00 - $25.00 per hour

Equipment Used

Farming machinery, tractor, BCS, hand tiller etc.

Internal Communication

Limited internal communication. 

External Communication

Limited communication with community residents, community partners, and on-site urban farmers. 

Working Conditions

This is an outdoor role with exposure to the elements, mainly extreme heat. This role requires the ability to walk, sit, stand, stoop, kneel, bend, see, hear, speak, and perform frequent repetitive motion. Manual dexterity and the ability to lift up to 50 pounds required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made, when necessary and feasible, to allow a qualified individual to perform essential job functions.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Desert Botanical Garden is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by law.

The Garden fosters and supports workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion to honor the unique perspectives, experiences, and contributions of all, to celebrate successes, and to cultivate individual and institutional excellence.

All employees will help add to the Garden’s diversity and fully embrace it. 

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and deliverables of the role. This is not a contract and should not be viewed as such. Other duties may be assigned by supervisor and/or his/her/their designee.