Ploughshares Nursery General Manager Position Open in Alameda

Ploughshares Nursery General Manager  

Alameda Point Collaborative

Alameda, CA 

CLASSIFICATION: Full Time, Exempt

SUPERVISES: On the Job Trainees, Garden and Propagation Coordinator                              

The Alameda Point Collaborative works to end homelessness by providing housing and services to create communities where formerly homeless families and individuals can flourish.

Alameda Point Collaborative (APC) is a nonprofit agency operating on the site of the former Naval air base in Alameda, managing 200 housing units for over 500 formerly homeless residents and providing support services including case management, counseling, employment training and children and youth services. 

Ploughshares Nursery is an environmentally responsible social enterprise of APC that serves as a job training program and transitional employment worksite for formerly homeless adults. Ploughshares is a retail and production nursery that is open to the public five days a week.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee all aspects of nursery operations including purchasing, inventory management, retail sales, and propagation in the context of a social enterprise environment serving formerly homeless adults
• Provide On the Job Training instruction for APC resident employees
• Continue developing the On the Job Training curriculum
• Manage and continuously improve the retail space
• Participate in outside marketing events and other public outreach activities
• Attend APC management meetings
• In consultation with Propagation Coordinator, manage volunteer groups assigned to work at the nursery

Minimal requirements:

• Extensive knowledge of California native, edible and drought tolerant plants - horticulture and propagation
• Minimum two years supervisory experience
• Experience working with people of diverse backgrounds
• Ability to lift 50 lbs, work on feet, do physical labor, work in inclement weather
• Basic computer proficiency, including MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Strong professional written communication skills (will be asked to prepare a writing sample)
• Committed to growing plants in an environmentally responsible manner
• Must be able to work weekends
• Must be able to meet and maintain the good driver requirements for coverage by APC insurance carrier

We would love if you had:

• Gardening instruction experience
• Landscape design and installation experience
• Experience with FileMaker Pro and Adobe InDesign software

To apply: Please email your resume and a brief cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position to Andrea Schorr, APC Director of Social Enterprise, at aschorr@apcollaborative.org.

originally posted on the EcoFarm listserve

Free Talk by Author of "City Chicks" Wednesday, Nov. 30th at The Seed Bank

On Wednesday, November 30, at 6:30 p.m. at The Seed Bank, Patricia Foreman, author of City Chicks, a new book about how to raise chickens in your own backyard-check your city's ordinances first though-will give a free talk on this latest of her chicken books. An avid chicken-raising enthusiast and "chicken whisperer," Patricia will share information on how to choose the right breed for your needs and environment; how to order chicks (or eggs) through the mail; how to feed and raise chickens to adulthood; how to treat injuries and diseases in chickens (even how to understand chicken psychology, including pecking order and broody hens); how to choose watering and feeding equipment; how to build appropriate pens; how to protect chickens from predators; how to make money raising chickens; how to find fellow poultry enthusiasts; and how to lobby for rights to house chickens in cities where backyard chicken raising is prohibited. 

   There will also be a question/answer period, and signed copies of City Chicks will be available for purchase. The Seed Bank is located at 199 Petaluma Blvd. North in downtown Petaluma.

Food Safety Manager Job Opportunity with CAFF

Manager, Family Farm Food Safety Program

Organizational Background: The Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) is a 33-year-old 501(c)3 non-profit organization that advocates for California's family farmers and sustainable agriculture. CAFF provides a competitive benefits package, and is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Description: The Manager of the Family Farm Food Safety Program will develop a food safety program at CAFF that is focused on advising California specialty crop farmers on developing farm-level food safety plans, particularly small- and medium-scale family farmers engaged in direct marketing. Many such farmers have no experience with food safety issues. The idea is to create a position that is not simply a food safety auditor but is instead an advocate and advisor for California family farmers. The Manager will research/become familiar with all relevant food safety GAPs and outreach programs, including USDA and state programs, specialty crop-specific programs, private auditing firms' programs, UC recommendations, as well as programs developed by the Produce Safety Alliance at Cornell. The manager will also be familiar with food safety requirements of California retailers, food service companies, processors, and other potential purchasers of family farm specialty crops. In collaboration with project partners from the University of California and other organizations, the Manager will conduct workshops for farmers and will be available for personal one-on-one consultations and farm visits with the target specialty crop farmers, in order to assist them in developing their own farm food safety plans. The Manager will also participate in a variety of conferences and other public processes related to food safety.

Qualifications: Eligible applicants must possess the following skills and experience:

· Farming experience, specialty crop experience desirable

· Food safety farm program implementation in one or more specialty crops and/or auditing experience, preferably both

· Interest in and familiarity with organic, biodynamic and sustainable agriculture

· Strong writing and verbal communications skills

· Self-directed, entrepreneurial and collaborative work style

· Willingness to travel in state as needed

· Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant discipline

· A strong desire to defend the interests of family farmers

Terms: This is a full time salaried position ($40,000-$50,000) with health benefits. The position will be located in Davis at T.S. Glide Ranch. The position is funded for two years, 2012 and 2013, by a Specialty Crop Block Grant award from CA Department of Food and Agriculture/USDA. Its continuation beyond 2013 will be contingent on securing additional funding.

To Apply: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume and the names and contact information of three references to info@caff.org. The position will be open until filled. 

Manage a Cider Orchard in Trinity County!

Hey folks! 


I just posted this opportunity on our website! It's the first one we've had in Trinity County since I start here almost a year ago and is located in a beautiful area. I'm excited to expand our geographical reach and hope that you will let me know if you're interested. Please don't forget to include the ID number for the property when you contact me about this one! 


Here's the listing (which you can also find on our website): 


Trinity County ID#1359: Established cider orchard on 38-acre property near Hayfork seeks partner/manager! There are 62 trees currently producing, and the orchard is in the process of becoming certified organic by CCOF. The landowner is looking for someone to manage the orchard and potentially partner on other projects as well. The property has great habitat for mushrooms as well. The property has a log cabin for rent as well.

Growing Fruit Trees on a Small Scale in Marin and Sonoma Counties

December 13, 9 am to 3 pm

Presented by Paul Vossen, Farm Advisor for Sonoma & Marin Counties, University of California Cooperative Extension.

Morning in the Classroom

9-noon presentation at UCCE office, 133 Aviation Blvd, Ste. 109, Santa Rosa.

Evaluating land and specific sites for fruit trees

Irrigation and fertility needs of various fruit trees

Tree spacings and training systems

Rootstock and variety choices

Pests and growing organically

Production costs, potential profits

Afternoon in the Field

1-3 pm at the Santa Rosa Junior College Shone Farm

View plantings of apples, peaches, olives, citrus, pears, and other fruit trees and discuss their management

Registration $10. Click here to register and for more information.

Call 707-565-2621 with any questions.

Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm Event Wed., Nov. 30th

Dan Imhoff, author of CAFO: The Tragedy of Industrial Animal Factories in conversation with Michael Dimock of Roots of Change. 


The Politics of Food 
What are the political forces shaping the food system? Join two of America's dynamic food activists, Michael Dimock and Dam Imhoff, for a wide-ranging discussion on topics such as the future of animal agriculture, the Farm Bill, and the local food and Occupy movements. From veggie prescriptions, to the fight to end animal factories, to the ins and outs of artisanal food production, this is sure to be a stimulating conversation and an excellent kickoff to Summerfield's lecture series. 


Wednesday, November 30th. 6:30 p.m.
Sophia Hall
655 Willowside Road
Sebastopol


Free to all, donations welcome.


RSVP to development@summerfieldwaldorf.org

Join Marin Organic & MALT for a Holiday Open House Dec. 9th

Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT) and Marin Organic are coming together to co-host a Holiday Open House on Friday, Dec. 9th, from 5pm-7pm, at the Dance Palace (503 B Street, Point Reyes Station).


Join them for this family-friendly, fun and free holiday celebration. Seasonal appetizers provided by Pam Ferrari Custom Catering, baked treats, cookie decorating for the kids, live music, and no-host bar. 

Work/Trade Opportunity in Napa!

Hey farmers! I just posted a great new opportunity in Napa. Check out the below description, or click on the link to see it on our website. Please remember to contact me if you're interested, and be sure to include the property ID number!


Napa County ID#1358: Work/trade opportunity on gorgeous 200-acre property in hills of Napa. Property includes an orchard with over 200 trees, and 1/3-acre garden currently producing vegetables with potential to triple with existing irrigation, and large additional acreage if economic. On-site water source and ample storage. Large greenhouse. All deer fenced. Chickens with coop and electrified fence. Large walk-in refrigerator. One-bedroom house and separate private office available. Tasks will include maintaining roads, houses on property and gardens.

Free Webinar Thursday for Beginning Farmers

National Good Food Network Webinar

Two Revolutionary Tools for Beginning Farmers

Thursday, November 17
3:30 - 4:45pm ET

Free! Register Now

Time and time again we hear that amongst the biggest hurdles for beginning farmers are designing a business model which creditors will fund, and creating a comprehensive food safety plan for their farm. Each of the online tools presented on this webinar addresses one of those hurdles.

Farm Credit Council and the National Good Food Network have teamed up to create a website designed to illustrate the myriad ways that farmers have been successful in the "The Field Guide to the New American Foodshed." Many different routes into many different markets are explained, and then illustrated with case studies of actual farms and other businesses using each model. Designed for farmers and those who might provide credit to farmers, this tool helps people to "speak the same language."

FamilyFarmed.org, with support from the Wallace Center, has developed an on-farm food safety tool. By answering a series of questions about their operations, farmers can have this website generate all of the documentation and forms for a complete food safety plan. This is the first tool of its kind.

Learn about these amazing new tools, their background and get a sense for how they start to change the landscape for a regional food system.

Reserve your spot - click here

Soil Born Farms in Sacramento Seeks Full-Season Apprentices for 2012

Soil Born Farms is accepting applications for the 2012 season. The apprenticeship runs from March 1 to November 1.

The goal of the apprenticeship program at Soil Born Farms is to provide a training ground for aspiring farmers by teaching the basic concepts and practical applications of organic food production. This experience is contextualized within Soil Born Farm's work using agriculture as a platform to tie Food Systems into the larger social issues of food security, social justice, and public health.

Apprentices are exposed to all aspects of food production. They learn about propagation, irrigation, soil management, harvesting, marketing and many other related skills through a combination of hands-on learning and structured classes. Apprentices work and live on the American River Ranch, a 25-acre ranch utilizing field-scale agricultural techniques. At some point during the season, they also have the opportunity to work on our smaller Farm on Hurley Way, a 1.5 acre market garden, applying hand-scale bio-intensive gardening methods. Produce is distributed to several outlets in the county of Sacramento including an on-site farm stand, a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, and retail and restaurant sales. Additionally a significant portion of our produce is sold or donated to low income residents. This program is an educational experience but it is also a working Apprenticeship, applicants should be prepared to work hard and commit themselves to the task of running a farm.

Housing: Canvas tents with access to shared kitchen, living room and bathroom.

Compensation: Food from the farm (vegetables, eggs, dairy, etc), modest allotment for supplementary foodstuff and compensation for a portion of hours worked on the farm.

More information and application available at:

http://www.soilborn.org/apprenticeship.html

originally posted on the EcoFarm listserve

SF CSA Farm Seeks New Worker!

San Francisco based CSA farm in need of good driver, hard worker for seed to sale market farming. Challenging, intense work days. Cold, wet, hot, miserable, mucky, dirty, repetitive, back breaking, low wages... farming! Only requirement: you work as hard as we do and love every minute of it. Everything else can be learned.


If you're interested, please contact Paul at 


info@greenheartsfamilyfarm.com

South Bay (831) 801-0611

Bay Area (415) 971-5703

989 Oak Street
San Francisco, CA 94117

Pioneering Farmer Education Organization Promotes Leadership From Within

 California FarmLink appoints Reggie Knox as new Executive Director

California FarmLink is pleased to announce that Reggie Knox, longtime farm program leader, has been promoted to serve as Executive Director. Knox will lead the organization into its twelfth year of providing unique business, land access, and financing services to small- and mid-scale farmers.

“These are challenging and exciting times for California FarmLink,” says Knox. “Key priorities are expanding our ability to provide capital through our new independent loan fund to farmers who typically can’t obtain financing and, leading a training program for organizations in eight U.S. states to enable them to create matched savings programs for beginning farmers.” Also high on Knox’s list of priorities is fundraising, as the organization strives to continue to help farmers succeed and thrive in a field laden with risk even in a stable economy.

Knox, who has spent the past few weeks transitioning from the position of Director of Field Operations into his new role, has been with FarmLink for seven years, assisting hundreds of beginning farmers and ranchers to access land and financing and build sustainable businesses.  His distinguished 23-year career in farmer education and advocacy includes stints with Community Alliance with Family Farmers, Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau and CA Certified Organic Farmers.

                                                        

His accomplishments include running the Lighthouse Farm Network ­– where farmers gathered monthly in 14 California counties to share information; helping to develop national organic production standards; and consulting in rural economic development in Madagascar and Sri Lanka.

This promotion, with the support of the entire board, is a natural evolution for FarmLink, and for Knox. Known for his strengths as an organizer, team builder, program developer, and farm business consultant, he brings a high level of expertise in a wide variety of service areas, including farm leases, land transactions, organic production and certification, finance, farmland protection, resource conservation, and economic options for farmers.

 “Reggie has the right combination of skills and experience to take California FarmLink forward,” says Board member and social entrepreneur Jeffrey Westman, who has been assisting with the transition. “I’m honored and excited to be part of CFL's evolution into a stronger, more diversified organization. I look forward to working closely with Reggie and the rest of the FarmLink team, helping to support family farming and the conservation of farmland in California.” Westman will continue to work closely with Knox, and is spearheading a multi-faceted fundraising campaign that will include reaching out to businesses and foundations, and some surprise events showcasing California’s most intriguing food, wine, and visual arts talent.

The board and staff are grateful to Board Chairman Brett Melone, who served for the past two months as Interim Executive Director.

For more information, contact Reggie Knox at 831/425-0303 or Jeffrey Westman at707/477-5367, j.westman@westman.com.

Caretake a Property in Mendocino!

My colleague Eric found this on Craigslist. Please follow the instructions at the end of the posting to contact the landowners: 

Unique opportunity for a young, hardworking, energetic and dependable couple who have experience growing food and who want to live in the country on a 160 acre Botanical Sanctuary in inland Mendocino County. 

Live in a small, beautiful, hand-crafted, off-grid cabin (suitable for two people), in exchange for weekly hours of outdoor physical labor: tend the roads, weedeating, stuff shuffle, etc., as well as growing food. 

One year commitment, 4WD vehicle and references required. NO PROP 215 OPTION 

Please write a little about yourself (work experience, food growing experience, interests, etc.) and include your telephone number. Send to "Caretakers" P.O. Box 382 Willits, CA 95490 

Thanks 

Ceres Community Project Seeks Development Assistant

The Ceres Community Project

Founded in 2007, The Ceres Community Project's mission is to "restore locally-grown, organic whole food to its place as the foundation of health for people, communities and the planet." We do this through an integrated model that:

·  gives teens experiences of growing and preparing healthy food

· provides those facing cancer and other life-threatening illnesses with nourishing meals

·  educates the larger community about the connection between food, healing andwellness

Development Assistant Job Description

The Development Assistant plays an important role by providing administrative support to Ceres Community Project's development staff and participating in all fundraising activities including donor relations, direct mail appeals, and special events.

10 hours weekly, average 

Reports to Fund Development Manager Deborah Ramelli

Key tasks include:

· Process donations and prepare acknowledgement letters and other correspondence.

· Maintain foundation, corporation and individual donor files.

· Create monthly fundraising reports and other database reports as needed.

· Continually update and correct database records.

· Maintain email marketing list, regularly adding new addresses and creating new lists as needed

· Generate Direct Mail lists

· Maintain guest lists, gather and prepare registration materials and other duties as assigned for fund-raising events.

· Assemble media and donor kits for events and meetings.

· Prepare Board binders as needed

· Other duties as assigned by Executive Director or Fund Development Manager.

Requirements:

· Associate's or bachelor's degree in a related field.

· Passionate about Ceres Community Project's Mission

· A minimum of two years' experience in an administrative position, preferably in a not-for-profit development office

· Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications

· Database management experience

· Excellent verbal and written communications skills

· Ability to present information concisely and effectively, both verbally and in writing

· Ability to organize and prioritize work, and to work accurately with attention to detail

· Warm, gracious and outgoing

The Ceres Project will be accepting resumes until November 22nd. 

Applicants should send a cover letter expressing why they are interested in working with Ceres along with their resume to:deborah@ceresproject.org

NRCS Accepting Applications for Farm Bill Cost Share Programs Through Nov. 18, 2011

We received a helpful email from the NRCS recently, and I wanted to share it with you. Enjoy!

_______

Many of you are already familiar with Farm Bill cost share programs through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). For those of you who aren't familiar with these programs, the following is a brief introduction. 

Through Farm Bill funding, NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural landowners who are interested in implementing conservation practices in their operations. NRCS provides support for practices ranging from erosion control to integrated pest management, to irrigation water management, to diesel engine replacement. NRCS has recently expanded their list of approved practices to include frost protection. Since 2010, the local office of NRCS has assisted growers in the Russian River by providing more than $1M in cost share to install wind machines, cold air drains, microsprinklers, ponds, irrigation flow meters, and weather stations for frost protection.

Applications are being accepted now with a deadline of November 18, 2011 for this year's EQIP, AWEP and WHIP funds. Applications are reviewed based on criteria set by a local workgroup that includes staff from NRCS, the Farm Services Agency, Resource Conservation Districts, Land Trusts, the UC Cooperative Extension, and others. In Sonoma County, projects that address the following resource issues are strong contenders to receive funding:

Water quality (nutrients, pesticides, temperature, sediment)

• Direct improvement of soil quality
• Control and reduction of noxious and invasive plants that are California Listed Category A and B
• Water conservation (surface, riparian, groundwater)
• Fire and flood hazard reduction on ag land
• Wildlife habitat for threatened and endangered species and species of special concern

Not only are Farm Bill programs a great way for growers to offset the costs of conservation practices, but they are also a valuable way to publicize the fact that the grower community is actively working to conserve natural resources. If you'd like to learn more, please contact Felicia Hanley at the NRCS Petaluma Service Center at 707-794-1242 ext 125