Colorado Nonprofit Association

CSA Grower

About Denver Botanic Gardens: Green inside and out, Denver Botanic Gardens was founded in 1951 and is considered one of the top botanical gardens in the United States and a pioneer in water conservation. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, The Gardens has a robust living plant collection, natural history collection and art collection along with temporary art exhibitions. The Gardens is a dynamic, 24-acre urban oasis in the heart of the city, offering unforgettable opportunities to flourish with unique garden experiences for the whole family – as well as world-class exhibitions, education, and plant conservation research programs. For more information, visit us online at www.botanicgardens.org. 

Denver Botanic Gardens is currently seeking a Full Time CSA Grower at out Chatfield Farms location! Read below to see if the requirements might be a good fit for you: 

Position Summary

The CSA Grower position will support the CSA Farm program team in a variety of capacities, year-round. This position will be an integral part of daily farm operations for production agriculture, general site-wide responsibilities and compost production. 

Requirements

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists with all aspects of general production-agriculture duties such as compost management, cut-flower production, vegetable and herb production. Duties include grow, maintain and harvest flowers, vegetables and herbs for multiple revenue streams including CSA members, wholesale customers, and bridal/ private events.  
• Works closely with the Associate Director of Farm programs for execution of the crop production plan.
• Regularly operates heavy equipment like tractors and skid steers, attends all required trainings for operation and safety.
• Must possess a strong desire to support equitable food systems including produce donations to vulnerable populations.
• Oversees volunteers to help harvest, maintain and produce vegetables and cut-flowers on a weekly basis.
• Bunches, arranges and designs flowers in an artistic way, following trends and event demands. 
• Regularly conducts field walks to assess crop health for integrated pest management.
• Collaborates with the Solar Garden staff and implementation plan to assist when needed with the solar farm team.
• Assists the CSA Team year-round with snow removal, maintenance of equipment, tools and infrastructure.
• Helps manage the CSA washstand for creating an orderly, food-safe environment for vegetable production.
• Produces flowers organically, with strong soil health practices in mind, in coordination with CSA managers/growers. 
• Utilizes season extension techniques to grow vegetables and flowers in microclimates to have products available for more weeks out of the growing season. 
• Coordinates revenue goals including tracking sales, setting prices and will monitor customer feedback and communication from shareh0lders in collaboration with the CSA Management Team.
• Coordinates other products grown by the CSA to supply customers with fresh produce options.
• Daily recording of harvest totals.
• Reports final harvest totals and revenue on a quarterly basis. 
• Works closely with Greenhouse Propagation Team onsite at Chatfield Farms 
• Regular attendance at the worksite may be required. As with all positions at Denver Botanic Gardens, the incumbent must be in good performance standing to be eligible for remote work. Remote work is at the discretion of management at all times.
• All Gardens employees must be committed to the mission of connecting people with plants, especially plants from the Rocky Mountain region and similar regions around the world, providing delight and enlightenment to everyone.

Position Qualifications: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of landscape tools such as mowers, weed whackers and leaf blowers.
• Knowledge with using small farm hand tools such as broad forks, wheel hoes and composting materials.
• Ability to communicate clear goals and work plans in regular meetings, correspondence on email and to attend regular organizational meeting site-wide.
• Ability to participate in public events year-round.
• Must have proven excellent customer service, interpersonal, and communication skills in dealing with the public.
• Ability to maintain stability under pressure and able to deal well with stressful situations.
• Ability to be flexible and willing to modify plans when necessary, throughout the day.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends and/or holidays.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Suite products, specifically Word, Excel and Outlook and Teams.  
• Ability to work overtime as necessary.
• Must be a positive representative of the Gardens both internally and externally at all times.
• Must work with respect and cooperation at all times with fellow employees and the public.
• Must be committed to working safely at all times.

Experience/Education:

• Associate’s degree or 2 years education in horticulture, agronomy, landscape management or science/ecology fields or hands-on botany.
• Minimum of 2-4 years’ experience on a production farm.
• Equipment operation and a working knowledge of two-stokes is preferred.
• Small farm machinery experience is preferred.
• Position requires a valid driver’s license.

Travel:

Occasional operation of delivery truck for our weekly CSA distributions and donations.