" 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
Farm Manager
Hours: 40 hours/week, occasional weekends, holidays and evenings
Benefits: Health Benefits, 16 days paid vacation, ~8 days paid sick leave, 9 days
paid holiday
Reports to: Director of Operations
Area of Focus: Farming and Agriculture, Social Entrepreneurship,
Homelessness, Job training, Community focus
To Apply: Please send a cover letter, resume, and 3 references to Darrie Ganzhorn, Executive Director, at darrieg@homelessgardenproject.org. We will review materials and schedule interviews on a rolling basis, no calls please.
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 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, effective 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 to a permanent expanded farm site.
Position Description
Under the general supervision of the Director of Operations, the Farm Manager oversees all aspects of the farm operations, including not limited to: production of agriculture crops, sales channels (CSA, farm stand), value-added crops, trainee education and supervision, volunteer and community engagement, and the farm business planning and management. In addition, the Farm Manager will have a crucial role in supporting the planning and development of HGP’s new expanded farm site.
Farm Production
- 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 reports - Crop Production Manager and 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.
- Lead the creation and maintenance of thorough and accurate farm processes including planting, weeding, watering and harvesting schedules; yields; ground prep; winterizing, pest management, soil fertility, & more.
- Promote farm safety through regular trainings 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 new farm site at Pogonip.
- Other duties as assigned.
Transitional Employment and Training Program
- Work with the Program Manager to ensure farm operations support an effective program utilizing program guidelines.
- Develop weekly and daily work plans for the trainee crew during the farm season; share and collaborate with the Training and Education Supervisor on a weekly basis to ensure trainees have a clear work plan.
- 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.
- 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 of organic gardening methods
- 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 in 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 complex mental health issues, 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 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.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace dedicated to cultivating a diverse and inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities, classes, and religious identities to apply.
Internships
Email volunteer@homelessgardenproject.org with internship inquiries.
Sales & Retail Internship
Details
Schedule: 10-13 hours per week, from late September, 2021 to early January, 2022
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.
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 atalantak@homelessgardenproject.org and include the internship position for which you’re applying in the subject line. Applications accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
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 3.5 acre organic farm and related social enterprises, including the Homeless Garden Project Store. The HGP Store sells its own products that are made by program trainees from herbs, flowers, and produce grown on our 3.5-acre organic farm as well as some products made by local artists sold on consignment. HGP products include bath & body, food & beverage, candles, and more. HGP Store sells products at its two retail locations in Santa Cruz and Capitola, online (shop.homelessgardenproject.org), and through wholesale partners. HGP Store does a significant portion of its business during the holiday season.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and hardworking intern who will support our Value-Added Enterprise program. The Sales & Retail Intern will work with the Value-Added Enterprise Manager to create new materials for the program, build relationships with the local and extended communities, and spend time at both of our HGP Store locations.
Responsibilities
- Support staffing our Pacific Avenue storefront, and our Capitola storefront by taking on a certain number of store shifts per week as a Shift Manager
- Shift Manager role includes tasks such as customer service, ringing up customers, inventory management, and light cleaning
- Create a wholesale catalog for distribution
- Track potential wholesale buyers, influencers, and other PR opportunities
- Reach out to potential leads through emails and/or calls.
Qualifications
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented individual
- Ability to prioritize, multi-task and meet deadlines
- Dependability, flexibility and ability to maintain confidentiality
- Superb communication skills, both written and verbal
- Interest in sustainable agriculture and social justice
- Ability to work independently and with others, including staff, volunteers, donors and vendors
- A demonstrated commitment to HGP’s mission and values
- Excellent ethical standards and personal integrity
- Customer service experience a plus
- Graphic design skills a plus (Canva or other design program)
Intern Will Gain:
- Diverse skills and hands-on experience for a growing nonprofit organization
- Experience supporting Homeless Garden Project Store outreach coordination and communications
- Experience building relationships with a wide range of community members and businesses
- Outreach experience
- Opportunities to contribute and implement creative insights and feedback regarding value-added enterprises
- Opportunities to interact with professionals in both nonprofit and for-profit sector
Work Schedule/Time Commitment
Start Date: September 2021
End Date: January 2022
Commitment: ~10-13 hours per week
Pacific Ave Store
Location: 1338 Pacific Ave
Two (2) - 3 hours shifts (flexible days)
Capitola Store
Location: 222 Esplanade
Saturdays: One (1) - 4 hours shift
Outreach/PR
Location: remote or in-office
1-3 hours/week
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: 20 hours per week, from May 20, 2022 to October 21, 2022
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.
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. Applications accepted on a rolling basis until the
position is filled.
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
3.5 acre organic farm and related social enterprises.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and hardworking intern who will support our Community Supported
Agriculture (CSA) program in the Spring and Summer. The CSA Intern will lead member pick-up and
u-pick hours and will develop the weekly newsletter to members.
CSA: CSA members provide crucial support to HGP by investing in the farm by making a commitment to
buy produce from HGP each week during the harvest season and paying in advance for the produce.
Their commitment to sustainable agriculture and transitional jobs enhances HGP's planning and financial
stability and creates a community of people who are deeply committed to HGP's success. In return, we
seek to provide CSA members with quality and diverse organic produce, tips and recipes for using the
produce, and news and stories about the farm, trainees and our programs that enhance their community
experience. HGP also operates its Feed 2 Birds program which donates CSA shares to local agencies
serving individuals who may not otherwise have access to fresh organic produce.
Responsibilities
Farm
● Manage and check off CSA customer pick-up and u-pick
● Manage and check off Feed 2 Birds agency pick-ups
● Welcome and engage CSA members and visitors at the farm
● Assist in harvest, wash/pack, and quality control of produce
● Perform farm work as needed to support farm and CSA production
● Manage any additional farm stand purchases during CSA pick-up and u-pick hours
Administrative
● Create a weekly CSA newsletter (interview staff/trainees, write farm narratives, take regular
photos of the farm and the work, promote HGP events, research recipes, etc.)
● Support CSA record keeping using Excel and Google sheets.
Qualifications
● Self-motivated, detail-oriented individual
● Ability to prioritize, multi-task and meet deadlines
● Dependability, flexibility and ability to maintain confidentiality
● Superb communication skills, both written and verbal
● Interest in sustainable agriculture and social justice
● Ability to work independently and with others, including staff, volunteers, donors and vendors
● A demonstrated commitment to HGP’s mission and values
● Excellent ethical standards and personal integrity
● Completed or working toward a college degree, preferred
Intern Will Gain:
● Diverse skills and hands-on experience for a growing nonprofit organization
● Experience supporting Homeless Garden Project CSA coordination and communications
● Education around sustainable agriculture and Organic crop production
● Experience building relationships with a wide range of community members
● Opportunities to contribute and implement creative insights and feedback regarding CSA and
value-added enterprises
● Opportunities to interact with professionals in both nonprofit and for-profit sector
Work Schedule/Time Commitment
Start Date: May 17th, 2022
End Date: October 18th, 2022
Commitment: ~20 hours per week
CSA U-Pick/Pick-Up Hours
Location: HGP Farm
Tuesday: 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Friday: 10:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Saturday: 9:30 AM - 3:30PM
Newsletter
Location: Remote
~ 2-4 hours each week
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.
The Homeless Garden Project (HGP), founded in 1990, provides job training, transitional employment and supportive services to people who are experiencing homelessness. In complement, 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 Volunteers (SWV) work with HGP's Connecting with Community program. SWV 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 SWV, trainees identify goals that will create and sustain their own well-being. SWV monitor trainee progress toward goals and support meaningful engagement in accomplishing goals. In addition, SWV foster trainee progress toward unsubsidized employment as a key long-term goal related to a career plan.
Duration of position: mid-May through early September
Schedule: 10-12 hours/week; Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday; Thursdays are currently required; social work and staff meetings are held Thursday, 1-2PM
HGP offers Social Work Volunteers a schedule with some flexibility and choice within the structure of our trainees’ weekly work schedule. Meetings with trainees take place during their workday; Tuesday-Friday, 9:00-2:00. Social Work Volunteers 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
- Bachelor’s degree in related field
Orientation & Training:
- Work under supervision of Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Training in Motivational Interviewing, service planning and evaluation
Benefits to Volunteer:
- Experience working in nonprofit social service setting
- Familiarity with community resources
- Develop counseling skills
- Gain training in Motivational Interviewing and Positive Psychology
To apply: Submit resume to evanj@homelessgardenproject.org
Volunteer Openings
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. In addition to our daily volunteer opportunities, we are also seeking: