What are the responsibilities and job description for the Garden Supervisor position at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill?
Position: Garden Supervisor
Status: Hourly, Full-time
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (SVPH) is on a mission to inspire generations through DISCOVERY, by sharing the legacies of the Kentucky Shakers. SVPH is committed to bridging historic preservation, land conservation, engaged learning and warm hospitality to present an unrivaled destination experience.
Home to the third largest Shaker community in the United States from 1805 until 1910, SVPH manages the country's largest private collection of original 19th century buildings and is the largest National Historic Landmark in Kentucky. Onsite amenities at SVPH include overnight accommodations, dining and catering services, retail shops, event and meeting venues, historical exhibitions and tours, farm and garden area, nature preserve, multi-use trail system, equestrian stable and an extensive calendar of special programs, activities, and events.
The Farm
The Farm supports the mission of Shaker Village by demonstrating the thoughtful stewardship of land and livestock through sustainable agriculture practices, and by partnering with the Trustees’ Table restaurant to champion the use of The Farm’s certified organic products for guest dining experiences.
Pleasant Hill was an innovative, 19th-century agricultural community. Today, the Farm at SVPH combines heritage practices with modern techniques to interpret diversified agriculture for the public. Today, the certified organic farm includes vegetable gardens, herb gardens, an orchard, over one hundred acres of pastures and enclosed paddocks, over three hundred animals and a selection of other annual demonstration plots.
Position Summary
The Garden Supervisor will support the plan, cultivation, harvest, and promotion of SVPH’s certified organic, farm-to-table garden and heritage apple orchard. The Supervisor will employ innovative and sustainable methods, mindful of Shaker aesthetics and contemporary regenerative agricultural practices. The Garden Supervisor will work with the Farm Manager to present a unified agricultural experience for guests.
The Supervisor will focus on garden work but will assist team members (as needed) in daily livestock chores, care, and will be asked to perform a variety of tasks related to The Farm or events at Shaker Village. Suitable applicants will be interested in learning all aspects of diversified farming and be comfortable around large and small animals.
The Garden Supervisor must be a strong garden advocate with project and people management skills.
Specific Duties:
- Support the Plan, management, coordination and harvest of a productive organic garden, teaming with the Farm Manager, Restaurant Manager and Chef to supply the restaurant with a variety of fresh produce to provide guests a true seed-to-table dining experience.
- Utilize innovative, sustainable growing methods to ensure consistent spring, summer and fall harvests.
- Maintain the demonstration capacity of the garden by managing it for aesthetic beauty, whole systems functionality, and productivity.
- Maintain overall plant health and soil nutrition strategies, to include sustainable gardening practices and integrated pest management.
- Cultivate small plots of heritage cash crop plants, including sorghum, broom corn and tobacco, for demonstration purposes.
- Maintain and ensure garden facilities and equipment are in safe and reliable working order, including tool shed, greenhouse, irrigation system, lawn mower, weed eater, rototiller, and multiple hand tools.
- Maintain inventory of propagation and growing equipment and supplies.
- Ensure the overall health of the soil in all garden spaces at SVPH, while maintaining the organization’s status as a certified organic farm.
- Work with staff to help develop village-wide sustainability systems such as composting and seed saving.
- Collaborate with marketing and public relations team to identify opportunities for programming and interpretation for the gardens and its collections.
- Maintain inventory of propagation and growing equipment and supplies.
- Develop, maintain and promote positive and professional relationships with all departments and employees at Shaker Village.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Must possess and display an understanding of and appreciation for the rich agricultural and social history of the Pleasant Hill Shaker community.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with ability to communicate with external and internal stakeholders professionally and effectively via phone, email, presentation, and written correspondence.
- Two years or more experience managing organic or sustainable gardens or organic or sustainable farms.
- Prefer pack and wash experience.
- Prefer experience with seed saving.
- Experience working with and leading guests, students, and volunteers in garden spaces.
- Ability to complete projects and reports in an accurate and timely manner.
- Self-driven, with strong attention to detail and ability to work with and as a team member with minimal supervision.
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to follow through on commitments.
- Knowledgeable in the use, care, and maintenance of garden equipment, including walk behind tractors and implements.
- Enjoy working with a variety of populations, including youth, families, and adults.
- Ability to work within a team structure.
- Ability to perform physically demanding work.
- Must be able to work a variable work schedule, which includes work on weekends, holidays, and evenings when required.