School Grown Farm Coordinator

Overview

School Grown Farm Coordinator
FoodShare is a food justice organization, advocating for the right to food and working to challenge the systemic barriers that keep people from accessing food. We support community-led food initiatives and
work alongside those most impacted by poverty and food insecurity including Black and Indigenous
people, people of colour, people with disabilities and those living on a low income.

Overview:
The School Grown Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute Farm, a Community Food Growing (CFG) project,
is a youth-centred urban farming and food justice program in Etobicoke, Toronto. We create opportunities for youth to expand their knowledge base, develop their leadership skills, and positively engage with each other, their community, and the environment. Since 2019, we have strived to improve access to healthy, affordable produce while nurturing a new generation of green leaders.

The Farm Coordinator will coordinate the farm, including three acres of market garden and orchard site,
community compost and shelterbelt at a Toronto District School Board high school located at
Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute (BCI). The position also involves supervising and training high school
youth staff, co-op students, and students working in the garden during class time and supporting
educational opportunities for community members on the farm.

The Coordinator will execute seasonal crop plans together, manage weekly produce distributions, host
volunteer sessions, ensure overall site maintenance, and support public programs on the farms. They will
also lead adult volunteers and supervise high school-aged farm apprentices as they engage in a variety
of farm tasks. Emails, data entry (planting logs, harvest tallies, volunteer numbers), and related offi
work will also be required on a weekly basis. While some tasks and responsibilities will remain shared
between the Coordinators, other duties will be delegated to an individual Coordinator. The position is in
collaboration with the School Grown Youth Engagement Coordinator

Employment in this role is conditional upon obtaining a clear Vulnerable Sector Check, which is required
prior to the start date. Additionally, the successful applicant will need to obtain Food Handler Safety
certification and Standard First Aid + CPR certification. FoodShare will cover the costs of t
certification

Duties include (but are not limited to):

1. Oversee coordinated production plans for the space:

● Develop, implement, and coordinate production plans and systems: Lead all aspects of crop
production, including soil management and field preparation, greenhouse seeding and seedli
management, transplanting, direct seeding, weeding, irrigation, harvesting, and post-harvest
handling of produce.
● Manage the orchard, shelterbelt, and pollinator areas to adhere to the maintenance plan with the
team on site.
● Liaise with community stakeholders and project partners to provide technical expertise and
consultation and/or oversee the farm components such as irrigation, plant stock, storage units,
fences, and compost.
● Improve and implement site fertility, undesired plants considered as weeds, pest, and disease
management plans.
● Maintain all required supplies, tools, and small farm machinery in good working condition.
● Maintain attractive, productive, and ecologically friendly growing spaces. This includes organically
controlling insects and weeds, monitoring fertility, and conducting formal field observation
● Plan weekly harvests, including setting up systems for youth staff, volunteers, and residents to
participate and track yields.
● Support the distribution channels for ongoing produce sales, such as the farmers’ market, Food
Program staff, school cafeterias, and food justice initiatives.
● Oversee the maintenance of farm implements, infrastructure, tools, and supplies, and budget for
repairs, replacements, and upgrades.

2. Manage and Animate On-site Community Compost:
● Establish a community composting program, including installing three-cell compost bins, training
students to install and maintain the system, and conducting community outreach to encourage use.

3. Supervise and Train Farm Youth, Volunteers and Support Teachers:
● Train and supervise farm-based work days for youth staff, co-op students, visiting classes, and
volunteers in alignment with the farm production and marketing plans, including regular check-ins
for feedback and planning.
● Coordinate the delivery of capacity-building training and knowledge exchange sessions for
farmers (crop planning, season extension, soil health, irrigation and other technical farm training).
● Coordinate standards development, ensure site safety through best practices for safely using
tools and supplies, and ensure that people on-site receive appropriate training.
● Facilitate farm team meetings and oversee the seasonal work plan and weekly and daily “to-do”
lists.
● Serve as a resource for teachers as they plan their curriculum-linked outdoor classroom use.

4. Administrative Tasks
● Collect data and write monthly reports on market garden production and activities.
● Track revenues and expenses associated with School Grown projects
● Safely operate and maintain machinery, including BCS tractor and string trimmer
● Ensure all relevant documentation/records are maintained and kept in a secure location
● Support site visits from funders, students, teachers, peer programs, and others;
● Facilitate evaluation processes and support reporting to funders.
● Participate in FoodShare staff and team meetings, all staff training, and reporting requirements
(such as timesheets) and handle other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications, Knowledge, and Experience:
● Legally authorized to work in Canada.
● 3+ years of direct work experience with a market garden and diversified vegetable far
● 3+ years of experience with administrative and financial activities associated with crop productio
including well-developed budgeting and variance reporting experience.

● Demonstrated experience working with youth and showing respect for youth culture, knowledge,
and lived experiences.
● Demonstrated experience designing and implementing irrigation systems, including PVC piping,
drip tape, sprinklers, and misters for fields and wash/pack area
● Demonstrated understanding and application of anti-oppression, anti-racism, and equity
frameworks, with a commitment to upholding these principles within the organization.
● Demonstrated ability to work respectfully with people of different ages, genders, abilities, cultural
backgrounds, and individuals who experience marginalization.
● Strong networking, community engagement, and partnership development skills.
● Exceptional ability to manage time, prioritize tasks, and work independently.
● Strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving, conflict resolution, and change management
skills.
● Collaborative leader who fosters consensus and builds positive team dynamics.
● Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to passionately convey FoodShare’s
vision to diverse audiences.
● Computer skills (e.g., word processing, spreadsheets, basic design work, Canva, Google Suite,
Zoom).

Requirements:
● Repetitive tasks such as bending, crouching, lifting, and reaching.
● Full shifts standing and working on your feet.
● Use of hand tools and mechanized equipment.
● Regularly lifting over 40 lbs.
● Working outdoors in all kinds of weather (heat, sun, rain, cold).
● Fully graduated G driver’s license.
○ Access to a vehicle is an asset for this role, if you do not have your own vehicle you may
use a FoodShare vehicle if you meet the following criteria:
■ A valid Ontario G License, a minimum of 3 years of insured experience, with no
major driving infractions in the last 7 years. A Drivers Abstract may be required.

Note: As part of FoodShare’s commitment to equity, salaries and benefits are non-negotiable

Additional Information:
Contract Type: Fixed Term, Full-Time
Reports to: Community Food Growing Senior Manager
Supervises: Miziwe Biik job training staff, Seasonal Youth hired through Canada Summer Jobs and
Focus on Youth students, Coop Students and Interns.
Location: BCI Farm operation at 500 the East Mall, with some in-person meetings at 120 Industry St. or
other partner locations across Toronto as needed.

Tagged as: Nonprofit

Compensation

Salary and Benefit
Total Compensation

● Salary: $56,000/ Annually (37.5 hours per week)*
● Contract Type: Fixed term – Full-time, from March 2025 to December 18, 2025, with the
opportunity for extension
● Vacation: 4 weeks paid vacation per year, prorated based on start date
● FoodShare Benefit Reimbursement of up to $1,500 per calendar year, prorated based on start date.

Additional Leave
● Personal Leave Days: 10 paid personal leave days per year, prorated based on start date
● Wellness Days: 20 paid wellness days/sick leave per year, prorated based on start date

How to Apply

TO APPLY: Please submit your resume and cover letter by 9:00 am on Monday, February 10, 2025, by
clicking this link here -> https://secure.collage.co/jobs/foodshare/50667