Farmer - Rung for Women

The Farmer - Rung for Women will be responsible for daily farm operations of the Rung for Women Farm with a special emphasis on chicken care. This position will be an advocate of Urban Harvest STL and support day-to-day operations to build sustainable connections between the farm and the local community. The Farmer is directly accountable to the Rung Farm Manager and will work in close partnership with the St. Louis community. Strong collaboration is expected with Farm Managers and the Director of Urban Agriculture; the Farm Trainer and the Director of Education; and the Farm Engagement Coordinator.

The Site

Rung for Women guides women to explore and pursue successful career pathways in high-demand industries they may not have realized were available to them. Through career coaching and a community of support, Rung members take action toward a better future for themselves – with more salary, more respect, and more fulfillment. Urban Harvest STL works within Rung’s Wellness team to provide members regular access to fresh produce, plan programs to support members’ wellness goals, and provide support for Rung initiatives, when available and as needed.

Responsibilities

Production:

• Utilize organic no-till farming methods such as cover cropping, composting/vermicomposting, and crop rotation
• Properly harvest and handle produce according to the food safety guidelines
• Address pest and disease management using organic methods
• Modify and expand irrigation systems as needed
• Cultivate seedlings in the greenhouse
• Nurture edible and pollinator-attracting plants in a variety of settings including greenhouse, farm rows, raised beds, a food forest, and planters
• Ensure that farm site, greenhouse, and storage areas are maintained and well-kept

Chicken Care:

• Complete daily, monthly, and yearly chicken care tasks including feeding and checking birds, removing dead birds, gathering eggs, refilling and cleaning water, changing bedding, and cleaning and sanitizing the coop. Regular maintenance of coop and run.

Collaborative and Independent Work:

• Work collaboratively with the Rung farm team to ensure the farm is thriving.
• Participate in regular meetings with the Rung farm staff to establish weekly priorities, task assignments, harvest strategies, volunteer tasks, farm observations, staff insights and feedback, etc.
• Engage in independent work, carrying out the tasks that are mapped out at the beginning of each week.
• Participate in recurring meetings with the Urban Harvest STL staff, Rung farm team, and Rung for Women staff
• Participate in member-facing activities with the Rung for Women Wellness Team, such as Wellness Week

Planning & Record Keeping:

• Follow weekly work log and record details of fieldwork accomplished
• Keep accurate records of harvest, donation, and distribution
• Maintain inventory of seeds and other supplies

Education & Community Engagement:

• Supervise Rung members, Farmers In Training, Apprentices, FWS student workers, and regular and periodic volunteers as necessary on daily farm tasks
• Provide direction/mentorship to Farmers in Training, when Farm Trainer and/or Farm Manager are not available
• Model and foster a cooperative, enthusiastic, and hands-on work environment

Qualifications & Skills

• Commitment to food justice and improving access to high-quality produce in food apartheid communities required
• One year of organic vegetable farming or gardening experience required
• One year of animal husbandry experience required
• Comfortable working in proximity to insects and other wildlife that exists in an organic growing environment and willingness to work in year-round St. Louis outdoor weather conditions required
• Experience with farm tools, such as a broad fork, wire weeder, stirrup hoe, wheel hoe, 3 tine cultivator, single tine cultivator, pump sprayer, hand pruner, trowel, spade, rake, flex tine weeder, digging fork, and mulch fork preferred
• Understanding of no-till vegetable production methods preferred
• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs and do physical labor outdoors for extended periods of time
• Ability to work independently as well as collaborate with diverse groups of people and stakeholders while contributing to the team effort
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills with the ability to take instruction, work quickly, accurately, and efficiently, and ask questions when necessary
• Facilitation of volunteer groups of 5-20 people preferred
• Willing to use a personal cell phone
• Must have reliable transportation to and from Rung, Urban Harvest STL staff meetings, and other required travel.