Seeking Co-Coordinator for BFTP 2024

Summary

ECO City Farms is a nonprofit urban teaching and learning farm in Prince George’s County whose mission is to grow great food, farms, and farmers in ways that protect, restore and sustain the natural environment and the health of local communities. Working with area children, youth, and adults, ECO educates and trains the next generation of urban farmers, eaters, and environmental activists.

Founded in 2010, ECO turns urban spaces into productive farmland and collaborative learning spaces, and cultivates community leaders for a revitalized local food system. Located just a mile from the DC border, we cultivate food at two certified naturally grown (CNG) urban farms using sustainable agricultural and permaculture methods.

In January  2024, ECO City Farms will begin the second year of the USDA supported 2022 Beginning Farmer Training Program grant, funded for three years.  This is the 3rd time ECO has received this funding, and in 2024 will be the 8th year of the program. The full scope of work for the coordinators include: 

• Building upon, adapting and assessing the effectiveness of ECO’s farmer training curriculum;
• Coordinating with ECO staff and partners to appropriately schedule farm tasks and instructors;
• Developing and supporting individualized learning plans for and with trainees;
• Cooperating with program partners to develop competency-based training modules; 
• Scheduling and arranging supplemental education sessions and training activities, including field trips and guest speakers;
• Assessing and documenting participant growth and knowledge;
• Monitoring, evaluating and assisting to regularly report on the program’s progress and effectiveness.

ECO City Farms is now in search of a co-coordinator to supplement and support our current program co-coordinator in the management of the above program activities. The position can start immediately (March 2024), with potential to continue the shared directorship for at least 1 year. This co-coordinator will be responsible for the majority of the administrative and planning tasks associated with running the BFTP and will be the primary point person for communication with trainees as well as people outside of ECO. 

The BFTP is a 10-month (January to October) training program that supports new and beginning farmers in their learning and practice of a wide variety of skills needed to become an urban farmer in the DC metro area. In partnership with Prince George’s Community College (PGCC), the first 10 weeks of the program entails classroom learning, and provides graduates with a Certificate of Urban Commercial Agriculture and continuing education credits. The remainder of the program consists of classes, farm tours, field days, group workdays and, shared growing plot maintenance. You can find out more about the BFTP here. 

We particularly seek candidates interested in developing a thriving and equitable local food system, experience with program creation and execution, cultural competence, interpersonal skills and agricultural knowledge to support class curriculum. The applicant must have demonstrable experience of effectively communicating with diverse adults over a sustained period. Graduates of ECO’s BFTP are strongly encouraged to apply. People who self-identify as women, queer, non-binary and BIPOC are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 

Qualifications

We are looking for the following competencies:

• The ability to interact and coordinate effectively with ECO City Farms staff, student farmers and established growers; County, State and Federal administrators, elected officials and agricultural organizations and businesses in the region;
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team;
• A commitment to advancing sustainable agriculture;
• A background in formal or informal educational programs, including working one-on-one and with small groups of students or adult learners;
• Two years of on-farm work experience;
• Knowledge of all aspects of farm work for small to moderate-sized diversified vegetable production, including crop planning and planting rotations, cover cropping, irrigation, appropriate machinery and equipment use, and post-harvest handling;
• Experience working with direct marketing and/or CSAs, wholesale or institutional markets;
• Knowledge of the Chesapeake region—climate and growing conditions as well as key organizations and people involved in agriculture; 
• Strong communication, social interaction, teaching and writing skills;
• Possesses a positive attitude, is compassionate, has a sense of humor, a willingness to fail, and the capacity show grace under pressure;
• Solid organizational skills, including capability to manage data on paper and via a suite of computer programs;
• Valid driver’s license and regular access to reliable transportation, a personal cell phone and computer.

Position responsibilities 

This position also specifically requires the following:

• Administrative and planning tasks associated with running the BFTP and will be responsible for the bulk of communication with trainees as well as people outside of ECO.
• Together with ECO staff, track the data required by USDA for our BFTP to help meet the annual reporting requirements, and attend meetings/conferences as needed.
• Maintain BFTP Google Drive and create and share documents using associated programs (Google Sheets, Forms, etc).
• Send regular email communications to trainees through Constant Contact (a digital marketing platform).
• Maintain a flexible work schedule that often includes Tuesday afternoons, Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings
• Support teachers and BFTP trainees at weekly evening classes at Prince George’s Community College in Hyattsville, and weekend workdays/field days as needed.

Note: Candidates not familiar with ECO’s Certified Naturally Grown farming practices will have the opportunity to acquire the required knowledge by assisting ECO’s farm staff with hands-on farm work at our Edmonston and Bladensburg farm sites.

The remaining work hours for this position would be scheduled between the employee and ECO staff, but would fall between 8 AM – 6 PM, Monday through Friday, plus weekends for classes, tours, and special events. The remaining work hours would be primarily dedicated to administrative/program planning work to support the beginning farmer training program, and remaining hours would be dedicated to assisting with farm tasks at our Edmonston and Bladensburg farm sites, under the supervision of the Edmonston and Bladensburg farm managers.

It is likely that the proportion of farmwork to administrative work will shift over the course of the season, as program and farm demands rise and fall. This position can begin in immediately. 

Compensation

The compensation for this position is between $28,000 and $40,000– depending on experience and availability (30 hours part-time to full-time opportunity)– and includes generous paid holidays, personal days and vacation time, and sick leave, and a healthcare stipend after 6-month probationary period.

To Apply

A cover letter indicating your interest and ability to do the work, a resume, and references should be sent to info@ecocityfarms.org, please cc econewfarmer@gmail.com.