Farm Production Manager at Mountain Roots Salida, CO

Mountain Roots; Salida (CO); On-site; Full time

Job description

Farm Production Manager job at Mountain Roots. Salida, CO.

Service Site

Service Site: Community & School Farm
Address: 1455 Holman Ave, Salida, CO 81201
Start Date: 1/13/25 End Date: 12/14/25

Program Overview

Localizing our food system is one of the most impactful and actionable steps we can take to solve so many of our global problems. Across the central Rocky Mountains and southwestern Colorado, AmeriCorps service with Mountain Roots Healthy Futures Program builds social, economic, and environmental health for rural communities. We work with organizations throughout the region who are leaders in their fields, activating community-driven initiatives including Farm to School, Regenerative Agriculture & Community Gardens, Hunger Solutions (Community Food Security), and other programs in public health, conservation, and the environment. With Healthy Futures AmeriCorps, you’ll build a bridge from college to career while building and sustaining healthy communities, healthy people, and a healthy environment.

Organization Overview

Guidestone Colorado is dedicated to growing a vibrant agricultural future through education, community building and partnerships. Guidestone’s programs provide a continuum of engagement for agricultural learning which enables community members of all ages to participate in meaningful experiences and gain practical skills. Our strategies and programming are founded on the belief that these experiences will ultimately lead to resilient local food systems, healthier youth, adults, and communities, and a vibrant future for local agriculture. Service Description Farm to School (F2S) AmeriCorps Members are part of a team that serves with Guidestone Colorado Farm to School staff and volunteers to connect the community to the earth and their food, as part of our district-wide Farm to School program, bridging gaps that enable partner organizations to be more efficient and effective at providing healthy food to rural youth.

F2S Members engage youth and community members to build, maintain, and expand farm production through a start-to-finish growing season. Programs include farm field trips, volunteer work days, guest visits, and our weekly summer Community Supported Agriculture farm share program. Members provide outreach and engagement at community events to promote Farm to School and the organization’s programs and mission. Members gain exposure to organic agriculture, crop planning, volunteer engagement, and participate in ongoing professional development. Guidestone seeks a Farm Production Manager to lead the production at the Community & School Farm (C&S Farm), including starting plants from seeds in our greenhouse, preparing beds in the high tunnels and production fields, leading volunteers to plant, seed, cultivate, and harvest crops, and creating and maintaining a vibrant community farm space. The C&S Farm is a 4-acre parcel owned by the Salida School District. Guidestone holds a 20-year lease for the Farm to School Program to grow food for school cafeterias, the hospital and community, and lead farm education and community service opportunities on the site. The C&S Farm has a 24’x48’ high tunnel, a 16’x24’ movable high tunnel, and a 42’ diameter dome greenhouse to extend the season, along with a 3⁄4 acre production field, small orchard, and raised beds in the front garden. In addition, the Farm Production Lead will support local food systems efforts through outreach and engagement with the Chaffee Local Food Coalition.

Essential Functions

• Manage and improve infrastructure in all growing spaces at the farm
• In coordination with the Farm to School Director manage crop planning and preparation for spring plant sales
• In coordination with the Farm to School Director evaluate and develop crop planning for food production for the schools, hospital and farmstand
• In coordination with the Farm to School Director oversee farm staff and volunteers
• Maintain harvest records, produce invoices, farm activity log and crop records
• Expand our partnerships with local food systems through engagement with community partners
• Improve our low‑till methods using occultation tarps and cover cropping
• Expand the 3⁄4 acre production field and plan hedgerow additions
• Coordinate weekend farm care (watering, opening high tunnels)

Secondary Functions

• Assist with the development and implementation of community events, including AgriSummit, Pumpkin Patch, Music at the Mill, Community Garden Planting parties, and other events hosted by Guidestone

Location and Service Conditions

This position is based at Guidestone’s Community & School Farm. It will also include service at the Hutchinson Homestead and Learning Center and Hutchinson Ranch for Guidestone events. The position will primarily involve days of service outdoors, with indoor space available in case of inclement weather. Co‑work of Dice space is provided at the Hutchinson Homestead & Learning Center.

Qualifications

• Some experience with sustainable agriculture, local food systems, and health/nutrition
• Experience working with youth, adults and managing groups of individuals/ volunteers
• Strong professional communication skills
• Passionate, patient, flexible, intelligent, creative, kind, caring, self‑motivated
• Experience with Word, Excel, Google Drive suite of office management, or comparable computer skills
• Clean driving record

AmeriCorps Required Qualifications

• At least 17 years old at start of service
• Must be a high school graduate, GED recipient, or working toward attaining a high school diploma or GED during the term of service. Members must obtain either a diploma or GED before using an education award
• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident of the United States
• Able to pass a National Service Criminal History Check (state, FBI, and National Sex Offender Public Website checks) per 45 CFR 2540.202

Healthy Futures AmeriCorps Program Benefits

• AmeriCorps members will receive a bi-weekly living allowance of $405, totaling $9,720 over the service period
• Members are also eligible for an Education Award of $3,697.50 upon successful completion of service. This can be used to pay back student loans, or to further your education
• Members may receive professional development and training, plus covered travel costs for attendance at state or regional conferences
• Members may be eligible for Federal program assistance (SNAP, Medicaid, etc.)
• Members may qualify for student loan forbearance (postponing the payment of loans) while in service
• Alumni benefits include priority hiring with organizations that are part of Employers of National Service and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to eliminate educational debt

About the Living Allowance

AmeriCorps Living Allowance is not a wage, salary, or hourly pay. You are enrolling in a SERVICE position, not a job. The Living Allowance is a stipend designed to support the basic necessities of the individual while in service, such as room and board, utilities, and transportation. Carefully consider this when applying.