ABOUT ACRES & ACRES COOP

Our mission is to create and support a network of Growers across the Upper Murray and North East Victoria, to build resilience through a closed food loop in our local area.

We share knowledge, tools and skills allowing people from all walks of life an opportunity to grow their own food business with minimal outlay and supported collaborative sales channels.

Our goal is to use regenerative farming practices and world-class small-scale farming innovation to enable local communities to grow their own food sustainably.

ABOUT THE ROLE

• Basis: Full-time, ongoing
• Hours: 38 hours per week; some weekends and outside of standard work hour commitments
• Location: Multiple farm sites Surrounding Corryong
• Reporting to: Director
• Minimum 12-month commitment
• Start Date: AUGUST 2022

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

The position requires a skilled market gardener who has a proven understanding of regenerative farming, commercial market garden production, and team management.

With support from the Director, this role leads the food production component of Acres & Acres. From seed to sales this role includes leading the full market garden cycle including packing, logistics and distribution.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Training, developing and mentoring other growers and volunteers
• Coordinating all day-to-day operations of a bio-intensive and low-till market garden
• Managing and training staff members, trainees & volunteers
• Participate in weekly staff meetings and attend board meetings
• Food production and harvesting from multiple sites
• Management and maintenance of irrigation systems
• Propagation of crops
• Crop planning and planting schedule
• Plot and bed preparation and management
• Harvesting, packaging and preparing produce for sale
• Farm gate and farmers market sales
• Use of, training and maintenance of farm machinery

WHAT YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS ROLE

Must haves:

• A qualification or experience in similar market garden production system
• Be proactive, and run without supervision as our lead farmer
• Be willing to try new things and a self-starter
• A collaborative, problem solver to achieve goals within the team
• A demonstrated passion for, organic or regenerative agriculture
• Manual drivers license
• Ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with a diverse team
• Experience managing a small team
• Flexibility, willingness to take direction and try new approaches
• Understanding of and commitment to workplace health and safety and equal employment opportunity

Nice to haves:

• Experience, or willingness to learn, market garden planning software TEND
• Experience using walk-behind and/or full-size tractors and other market garden tools
• Basic carpentry and/or welding eg. maintenance of hot houses, season extension grow tunnels, raised beds
• Understanding of and commitment to the goals of the Co-op, cooperative structures
• Understanding what it means to work within a community-focused organisation

WHAT CAN WE OFFER YOU?

• A competitive salary
• In this position, you will have the opportunity to take a role in shaping the direction of Acres & Acres
• Opportunities throughout the year to visit other Upper Murray small-scale farms
• A fun and flexible team environment - we’re innovative, customer-focused and our business moves quickly!
• Fresh veggies every week
• Training & development opportunities
• Help you establish social ties in our community

WE VALUE

Clear and empathic communication - it’s impossible to work together as a team if individual members don’t fully understand one another, communication skills are imperative for anyone working in our team environment.

A collaborative approach - interest in working with others to align on our solutions to food system challenges.

A holistic view - willingness to learn about the big picture. When we understand the interdependencies across the entire food system, we lead positive change more effectively.

An openness to new perspectives - by expanding knowledge and networks to include that outside of your immediate area of expertise, we change the way we work and think and drive greater impact.

An innovative mind - good ideas don’t require a stroke of genius, but rather a clear line of sight, creative thinking and a willingness to learn through failure.

Critical thinking - with constant change in the food system, leaders must understand how to solve problems. Leaders with fresh ideas and the ability to apply concepts across disciplines will be essential to move initiatives for a hunger-free, sustainable food future-forward.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Please review our ‘Living Growing Document’ before submitting your application.

To apply for this awesome position, you need only apply via the "Apply Now" button.

Acres and Acres values diversity in all its forms and the application process is open to all individuals. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people; those from ethnically diverse communities; LGBTIQ+ persons; those at the start of their working adventures and those that have stepped back from their working commitments. This job is only available to applicants living in Australia with full legal work rights.

For more information check out our website and social media:

Website: https://acresandacres.com.au/

Facebook: @AcresandAcrescoop

Instagram: @acres.and.acres