Community Garden Coordinator

The Nashville Food Project

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Job Summary

Mission, Vision, and Values

The Nashville Food Project brings people together to grow, cook, and share nourishing food, with the goals of cultivating community and alleviating hunger in our city. At The Nashville Food Project, we embrace a vision of vibrant community food security in which everyone in Nashville has access to the food they want and need through a just and sustainable food system. This mission and vision are guided by core organizational values, including hospitality, stewardship, interdependence, learning, justice, and transformation.

Organizational Background

The Nashville Food Project (TNFP) was born from the idea that good food is a matter of basic dignity. Since its start in 2007, TNFP has served thousands of Nashvillians facing food insecurity. In 2011, TNFP was incorporated as an independent nonprofit, shifting the focus of its meals program toward a collaborative partnership model and launching an urban agriculture program. Today, TNFP continues to connect people to nourishing food and to each other through vibrant urban agriculture projects, made-from-scratch meals, and food shared with local partners working to disrupt cycles of poverty.

Position Summary

The Community Garden Coordinator (CGC) helps to organize TNFP’s community garden programs, coordinating education, communication, and support across multiple sites. Reporting to the Community Garden Manager (CGM), the CGC is responsible for the annual community garden enrollment process, communicating with gardeners, coordinating and providing on-site support, and supporting the coordination and facilitation of garden events and workshops

Job Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Program Coordination

• Coordinate monthly workshops and/or community events, including supporting planning logistics, developing and sharing communication materials, and supporting facilitation
• Work with TNFP interpreters/translators to create multilingual educational resources and communication materials for all community garden events and programmatic activities
• Coordinate weekly office hours and community work days at each site, supporting community gardeners by answering their questions and helping them access resources
• Support the facilitation of at least 3 weekly community workdays/garden office hours, including monthly Saturday workshops and occasional events
• Assist in the facilitation of volunteer work days on a weekly basis
• Collaborate with the Director of Community Agriculture and Community Garden Manager to coordinate events, workdays, and workshops for strategic partners from diverse sectors
• Support the coordination of Community Advisory Council (CAC) meetings at TNFP community gardens

Program Administration

• Led annual community garden enrollment and recruitment for all sites, communicating with gardeners about plot allocation and logistics
• Coordinate annual meetings to familiarize gardeners with TNFP policies and procedures
• Implement community garden communication plans, including weekly emails, newsletters, and other communications about important news and events
• Coordinate the Garden Store to connect gardeners with seeds, inputs, and other resources, maintaining accurate garden store records and communicating any resource needs to the Community Garden Manager

Site Maintenance

• Support regular and required garden maintenance at TNFP’s garden sites, including soil preparation, compost maintenance, pest management, weeding, mowing, watering, harvesting, and distribution of produce
• Support agricultural infrastructure maintenance at each site as needed

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 1+ years experience in farm or garden maintenance and/or 1+ years experience in program coordination, communication, and/or administration
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with people of diverse backgrounds, particularly across languages
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with diverse communities including nonprofits, volunteers, and the general public
• Cooperative work ethic and a positive attitude; hard-working, conscientious, and responsible
• Well-organized with attention to detail, record keeping, and time management skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and work in a fast-paced environment
• Willingness and ability to work in all types of weather (hot, rainy, and cold)
• Excellent written, oral, and electronic communication skills
• English fluency, oral and written
• Ability to regularly lift and move at least 40 pounds

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma/equivalent or relevant life experience
• Experience in teaching and facilitation and/or a willingness to grow those skills
• Experience in community engagement and organizing
• Immigrants, refugees, and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply

Additional Information

Benefits

How to Apply

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter outlining your interest in our work and mission to info@thenashvillefoodproject.org. Applications received on or before June 30, 2024, will receive priority consideration. Candidates will be considered on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

In all aspects of its work, The Nashville Food Project strives for a culture of inclusivity and fairness without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristics protected by law.

Details

• Date Posted: June 23, 2024
• Type: Full-Time
• Job Function: Other
• Service Area: Other
• Salary Range: $43,000-$46,000
• Working Hours: 40 hrs/wk