" The trainees are not the only ones whose lives are touched by the connection to the seeds and soil. HGP affects the lives of all who pass through it. "
- Rosalie Evans, Former HGP Intern
Available Staff Positions
Position: Homeless Garden Project Farm Manager
Hours: 40 hours/week, occasional weekends, holidays and evenings
Salary Range: $26.00/hour to $30.00/hour
Benefits: Health Benefits, 16 days paid vacation, ~8 days paid sick leave, 9 days paid holiday
Reports to: Director of Operations
Area of Focus: Organic Farming and Agriculture, Social Entrepreneurship, Homelessness, Job training, Community focus
How to Apply: Send resume, cover letter and contact information for three references by email to:
Darrie Ganzhorn, Executive Director, darrieg@homelessgardenproject.org
and
Brian Sweeney, Director of Operations, brians@homelessgardenproject.org
or by mail to: P.O. Box 617, Santa Cruz, CA 95061
Description:
The Homeless Garden Project (HGP), a 501c3 nonprofit based in Santa Cruz, CA, provides job training, transitional employment and support services to people experiencing homelessness. In complement, HGP operates a vibrant community volunteer and education program serving the broader community. The training, employment, education and volunteer programs take place in a 3.5 certified organic farm and related enterprises.
Products produced in the training program are sold through farm and Value-added Enterprises. The farm enterprises include a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and a farm stand. The farm provides the raw materials for the Value-added Enterprise which consists of a retail store, an online store, and wholesale to other retailers. Production provides for a real work environment and is also a meaningful source of revenue for the Project.
HGP seeks an experienced and dedicated individual to lead management of the farm. We specifically seek an enthusiastic, outgoing and organized person skilled in agriculture, production, marketing, and building partnerships. The ideal candidate will also have a sincere commitment to ending homelessness and have experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness and/or mental health challenges. The Farm Manager will have overall responsibility to create and sustain the farm as an effective training site, and an economically robust farm with exemplary sustainable agriculture practices. The Farm Manager will have a focus on farm system and enterprise management, and programmatic support and education on the farm.
HGP is currently going through an exciting period of growth, preparing to move our farm from its temporary 3.5-acre site with separate office and workshop space to a permanent consolidated farm site.
Position Description
Under the general supervision of the Director of Operations, the Farm Manager collaborates with the Crop Production Manager to ensure organic production of agriculture crops and crops used in value-added production. The position manages the agricultural task delegation and education for our trainee crew (up to 25 employees) in coordination with the Training and Education Supervisor, and manages volunteer groups in coordination with the Volunteer Coordinator. In addition, the Farm Manager oversees all aspects of the farm business enterprise, including CSA program administration and sales channels, marketing, farm business planning, growth, and management. This position will play a lead role in envisioning the farm as our future permanent site.
Farm Production
- In collaboration with the Crop Production Manager, manage all elements of farm production operations, including crop planning, sowing/planting/harvesting, irrigation, weed and pest management, soil fertility, and more.
- Oversee farm budget, monitoring revenue goals and farm expenses.
- Work with the Director of Operations to evaluate sales channels, set revenue goals, and consider growth opportunities.
- Ensure that all necessary materials and supplies are acquired in a timely manner and all equipment is properly maintained and cared for.
- Manage direct report - Weekend Farm Steward - to support farm operations.
- Manage sales channels - overseeing all elements of CSA and farm stand operations.
- Develop and maintain relevant records necessary for measuring progress toward business goals; monitor progress and adjust accordingly.
- Oversee all applicable certification and license processes, such as CCOF.
- Collaborate with the Crop Production Manager to create and maintain thorough and accurate farm operations including planting, weeding, watering and harvesting schedules; yields; ground prep; winterizing, pest management, soil fertility, & more.
- Promote farm safety through regular training and safety assessments.
- Coordinate with the Volunteer Coordinator to support farm volunteers, including individuals and large groups.
- Coordinate with the Development Director and others to support special events held at the farm, which may utilize farm space and crops.
- Work with the Value-Added Enterprise & Retail Manager to set and track value-added crop production goals.
- Support the planning and development process for HGP’s permanent farm site.
- Other duties as assigned.
Training Program
- Develop weekly and daily work plans for the trainee crew during the farm season.
- Assist the Training & Education Supervisor in trainee supervision and management.
- Deliver training in horticulture skills through occasional farm demonstrations for the trainee crew.
- Provide support and help facilitate the employment training program on the farm, enforcing the rules and policies of HGP, and providing support to help trainees meet personal goals.
- Support and reinforce training in general work skills and behaviors, such as problem solving, communication and social skills.
Skills:
- Strong physical labor skills (e.g. sit, stand, bend, lift, walk, carry)
- Strong knowledge and experience in organic agriculture methods; ideally in small scale mixed vegetable business models
- Knowledge and experience in managing a farm business
- Demonstrated ability to make assignments and follow up on completion/evaluation
- Demonstrated ability to both follow and give directions & seek assistance
- Requires ability to work early morning hours, evening hours and weekends; in all weather conditions
- Demonstrated ability to organize, delegate, give direction, monitor others
- Demonstrated ability to operate farm equipment such as: tiller, mower
Qualifications
- An academic degree or equivalent work experience horticulture and/or organic farming
- Five years of very broad horticultural/agriculture experience
- Experience supervising persons coping with difficult life challenges
- Experience managing—or helping to manage—a small business
- Ability to work successfully as part of a team
- Leadership skills to inspire others to do their best, meets deadlines; and manages complex responsibilities without losing her sense of humor
- Able to work effectively with all populations to include: individuals with serious mental illness, disadvantaged youth, homeless, students and community members
Desirable skills and qualifications
- Bi-lingual/bi-cultural background
- Effective and positive interpersonal and management skills
- Experience with farm business management, including creating and managing budgets
- Commitment to sustainable agriculture and food systems
- Experience with social justice issues and affected populations a plus
- Understanding of and experience implementing conservation efforts on a working farm.
Internships & Volunteer Openings
Details
Looking for a fun way to spend your weekends while making a difference in your community? Look no further than our volunteer program at HGP!
We're currently searching for outgoing and friendly individuals who are comfortable using a register and can help us cover the store during our Shift Manager's lunch break. As a Customer Service Volunteer, you'll be responsible for greeting customers, answering their questions, assisting at the register, restocking merchandise, and supporting the Shift Manager as needed. You'll also be able to educate customers about HGP, upcoming events, and how they can get involved!
But before you start your volunteer shift, we'll need you to attend one of our orientation training sessions. Don't worry - they're fun and informative! Once you complete your orientation, we'll add you to our online work scheduler, where you can choose the shifts you'd like to work.
Our orientation sessions take place at our store location on 1338 Pacific Avenue. You only need to attend one orientation session to start volunteering!
Join our team and make a difference while having fun! We can't wait to have you on board.
About our Store: Our Store is where we make a significant amount of our yearly income to support our transitional employment and job training program for folks experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Those who are in the training program make over 40 types of products using materials we grow on the farm, including food products, bath and body products, and dried-flower wreaths. Each year we have a network of over 100 volunteers who support the store. The store is, in part, volunteer-run, meaning that the profit we make goes directly toward supporting our programs and folks transitioning out of homelessness.
Location: 1338 Pacific Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Saturday or Sunday
12 - 2 pm
2 - 4 pm
4 - 6 pm
The Homeless Garden Project is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, transgender and gender-nonconforming people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, and people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Social Work Internship Opportunity
To apply submit resume to evanj@homelessgardenproject.org
In the soil of our urban farm, people find the tools they need to build a home in the world.
The Homeless Garden Project (HGP), founded in 1990, provides job training, transitional employment and supportive services to people who are experiencing homelessness. In addition, HGP operates a thriving community education and volunteer program. HGP's programs take place in a 3.5-acre organic farm and related enterprises. Social Work Interns (SWI) work with HGP's Connecting with Community program. SWI work one-on-one with trainees to promote trainees' full participation in our job training and transitional employment programs by addressing needs such as health care, legal issues, transportation, and shelter. With SWI, trainees identify goals that will create and sustain their own well-being. SWI monitor trainee progress toward goals and supports meaningful engagement in accomplishing goals. SWI foster trainee progress toward unsubsidized employment as a key long-term goal related to a career plan. We look forward to working with you! The Social Work Interns bring so much value and support to the Homeless Garden Project.
Schedule: HGP offers Social Work Interns a schedule with some flexibility and choice within the structure of our trainees’ work schedule. Meetings with trainees take place during their workday; Tuesday-Friday, 9:00-2:00. Social Work Interns work with trainees to find the best times to meet.
Thursdays are currently required; supervision, social work and staff meetings are held on this day. Meetings take place in person at our 3.5-acre organic farm.
Responsibilities include, but not limited to:
- Assessment: work with trainees to identify current needs.
- Service Planning: collaboratively develop a plan focused on supports, activities, and resources required to achieve personal goals.
- Advocacy and Referrals: help educate and connect trainees to available and appropriate resources.
- Counseling & Goal Setting: provide support and structure for relevant goal setting.
Desired Traits & Skills:
- Good listening skills
- Well organized
- Appreciation of diversity
- Commitment to social justice
Orientation & Training:
- Work under supervision of Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Training in Motivational Interviewing, service planning and evaluation
Benefits to Intern:
- Experience working in nonprofit social service setting
- Familiarity with community resources
- Develop counseling skills
- Gain training in Motivational Interviewing and Positive Psychology
The Homeless Garden Project is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, transgender and gender-nonconforming people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, and people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Details
Schedule: 15-20 hours per week, occasional weekends, holidays and evenings
Salary: This is a volunteer, unpaid internship. If you are using this internship to gain course credit or seek
out grants with your college, please include this information in your cover letter.
Reports to: Director of Operations, and Value-Added Enterprise Manager
To apply: Along with your resume, please send us a brief cover letter highlighting why you’re interested in
the program. Send your materials to omarg@homelessgardenproject.org and include the internship
position for which you’re applying in the subject line.
Description
The Homeless Garden Project (HGP), founded in 1990 and based in Santa Cruz, California, provides job
training, transitional employment, and support services to people experiencing homelessness. In addition,
HGP operates a thriving community education and volunteer program. Our programs take place on our
organic farm and related social enterprises.
We are seeking an enterprising professional who is up-to-date on photo/video trends in marketing, and is
driven to creatively capture all that HGP offers, from Farm tours and HGP events, to staff, volunteer and
internship contributions, and trainee transitional employment experiences. Photography and videos will be
used on the HGP website, in print publications, in advertising, in public relations outreach, across social
media platforms, in email communications, and in other media as needs arise.
The successful candidate will demonstrate an ability and eagerness to generate videos and photos from
short clips to long-form storytelling that convey the mission and vision of the Homeless Garden Project in
innovative, authentic, memorable, and captivating ways. This is primarily a Videographer & Photographer
volunteer position. Preference will be given to candidates with photography skills. Additional skills such as
design, social media, marketing, and animation will also be considered.
Responsibilities
● Shoot, edit, and produce video for the HGP website, social media platforms, print publications,
email communications, public relations outreach, advertisements, special events,
meetings/presentations, and other media as needs arise.
● Generate high-quality still images and videos worthy of wide audiences that showcase HGP
programs, people, events, and other offerings
● Contribute to the office's videography needs as video experience/expertise allow. Storyboard
concepts, film and conduct interviews, gather necessary b-roll footage, and edit videos to meet
HGP’s needs
● Brainstorm and suggest ideas for adding a photo or video component to publications, stories, and
other promotional efforts.
Prefered Work Experience and Education:
● 1-3 years of experience in video and digital photography
● Previous experience working with a nonprofit is a plus
Qualifications
● Demonstrated proficiency and passion for modern photography and videography styles.
● Enthusiasm for a variety of image styles and a commitment to quality work across genres.
● Must be dependable, respectful, self-motivated, adaptable, efficient, and personable.
● Must be able to work well with a wide range of people, including trainees, volunteers, customers,
business owners, funders, advisors
● Must be comfortable working both independently and with our collaborative team.
● Must be able to juggle multiple projects, respond to immediate requests, and work in a
high-energy, deadline-driven atmosphere.
● Must be willing to work a flexible schedule.
● Willing to use personal equipment for videography and photography projects and assignments.
The Homeless Garden Project is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, transgender and gender-nonconforming people, women, people with abilities in multiple languages, immigrants, and people living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Our volunteer program is flexible to allow for varied interests and schedules.
Learn more about our current volunteer needs here or contact us if you'd like more information about our volunteer openings.