Flower and Vegetable Farmer & Instructor

Sandy Loam; Cotati (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Healthcare stipend for eligible full‑t

SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with 3%empr

Job summary

Sandy Loam in Cotati, California seeks an experienced Flower and Vegetable Farmer & Instructor to manage the greenhouse, gardens and cut-flowers, growing vegetables, herbs and fruit for our farm-to-table programs.

You will lead hands-on planting, harvesting, cooking, floral design and education across summer camps, workshops and events, while developing crop plans, production schedules and sales plans for our nursery and markets.

Qualifications

• Education/experience in agriculture or related field required.
• Experience growing vegetables, herbs and cut flowers.
• Experience in greenhouse propagation and production.
• Knowledge of seed starting, irrigation, soil health, pest management and post-harvest care.
• Ability to design marketable bouquets and floral products.
• Experience selling flowers or farm products through multiple channels.

Responsibilities

• Plan and grow vegetables, herbs and fruit for program needs and farm-to-table use.
• Grow cut flowers, design bouquets and manage sales channels.
• Lead planting, harvesting, cooking, floral design and garden-based education across programs.
• Maintain ranch gardens, native plantings and nursery areas.
• Develop crop production schedules, inventory and pricing plans.

Skills

Vegetable cultivation

Floriculture

Greenhouse propagation

Crop planning

Bouquet design

Sales & marketing

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education & outreach

Education

Agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, plant science, nursery production or related field

Job description

Sandy Loam is a unique organization that leads farm, nature, cultural and community wellbeing programs that connect people with agriculture, nature and one another.

We operate at Veronda-Falletti Ranch in Cotati in partnership with the City of Cotati. This lovely urban demonstration farm is protected as public open space through a partnership with the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District. Visit sandyloam.org to learn more about us.

We are seeking an experienced, creative and responsible Flower and Vegetable Farmer & Instructor to manage Sandy Loam’s greenhouse, culinary gardens and cut-flower production. A major responsibility will be planning and growing vegetables, herbs and fruit for our farm-to-table programs. This person will also grow cut flowers, create bouquets, produce plant starts, and help develop retail and wholesale sales.

The Farmer & Instructor will serve as Sandy Loam’s growing expert and will be integrated throughout our programs. This person will lead and support hands‑on planting, harvesting, cooking, gardening and floral activities for summer camps, enrichment programs, field trips, farm‑to‑table programs, workforce training, community workshops and public events.

Responsibilities include:

• 1. Farm-to-Table Food Production: Plan and grow a consistent supply of vegetables, herbs and fruit for Sandy Loam’s farm-to-table programs. Develop seasonal and succession crop plans based on program schedules and culinary needs. Manage planting, irrigation, soil health, fertility, pest and weed management, harvesting and post-harvest care.
• 2. Greenhouse and Plant Production: Manage Sandy Loam’s greenhouse and propagate vegetables, herbs, flowers and plant starts for the Ranch’s gardens, educational programs and sales.
• 3. Flower Production and Sales: Grow and harvest cut flowers, design and prepare bouquets, and develop retail, preorder, farmers market and wholesale sales. Manage flower inventory, pricing, order fulfillment and customer relationships.
• 4. Ranch Gardens and Permanent Plantings: Maintain productive and beautiful growing areas throughout the Ranch, including the culinary garden, cut-flower garden, perennial plantings and pollinator hedgerow. Select and care for California native plants, particularly plants appropriate to Sonoma County.
• 5. Plant and Nursery Sales: Grow healthy, marketable vegetable, herb, flower and native plant starts. Help develop the plant list, production schedule, pricing, labeling and sales plan for Sandy Loam’s nursery program.
• 6. Program Integration and Instruction: Serve as Sandy Loam’s food‑growing and floriculture expert across all programs. Collaborate with program leads to provide engaging planting, harvesting, cooking, floral design and garden-based experiences for summer camps, enrichment programs, field trips, farm‑to‑table programs, Livelihoods training, workshops and community events.
• 7. Workshops and Community Events: Lead or support workshops and events involving gardening, food production, plant propagation, flower arranging, natural dyes and other seasonal activities. Contribute to Flower Power, Blossom Tea Social, Sparks and Seeds Festival, the Holiday Craft Party and other Sandy Loam events.
• 8. Farm Stewardship: Keep the greenhouse, gardens, harvesting areas, flower-processing areas and sales spaces clean, safe, organized and beautiful. Maintain tools and supplies and coordinate volunteers or program participants assisting with growing and harvesting.

Job Details:

• This is an in-person position at Veronda-Falletti Ranch in Cotati, California.
• The regular schedule will generally be Tuesday through Saturday to accommodate Saturday workshops, flower pickups, farmers markets and community events.
• Hours may shift seasonally based on greenhouse operations, harvest schedules, summer camps, workshops and public events.
• Full-time employment includes approximately six weeks of time off during prescheduled organizational breaks.
• Full-time employees are eligible for a healthcare stipend.
• Employees are eligible for our SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with a 3% employer match.

Qualifications:

• Education, training or commensurate professional experience in agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, plant science, nursery production or a related field.
• Demonstrable experience growing vegetables, herbs and cut flowers.
• Experience managing greenhouse propagation and production.
• Strong knowledge of seed starting, plant propagation, succession planting, irrigation, soil health, fertility, integrated pest management, harvesting and post-harvest care.
• Experience designing and producing attractive, marketable bouquets or other floral products.
• Experience selling flowers, plants or farm products through retail, wholesale, farmers markets, subscriptions, online preorders or similar channels is strongly preferred.
• Ability to develop crop plans, production schedules, crop records, inventory systems and sales plans.
• Basic working knowledge of irrigation is required.
• Appreciation for and working knowledge of California native plants is required. Knowledge of plants native to Sonoma County is strongly preferred.
• Experience teaching or sharing gardening and plant knowledge with children, youth or community members is strongly preferred.
• Must enjoy working with people of different ages and abilities and be able to translate specialized knowledge into warm, accessible and engaging hands-on experiences.
• Must be gentle, kind, patient and respectful of children and youth. Must be confident around young people and able to use positive, farm-appropriate guidance.
• Spanish and English bilingual speakers are encouraged to apply.
• Must be able to work collaboratively with educators, farmers, program staff, volunteers, families, community partners and City representatives.
• Must be able to independently manage time, plan well in advance and balance seasonal crop production, sales and educational programming.
• Must be a responsible professional who shows up for their team, is open to training and feedback, and communicates constructively and openly.
• Must be comfortable working outdoors and in a greenhouse in changing weather conditions and performing the physical work associated with planting, harvesting and crop production.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Must complete all background, health and safety clearances required for the position, including a criminal-record clearance, health statement/TB clearance, and Pediatric First Aid/CPR certification.

Benefits:

• Paid time off
• Healthcare stipend for eligible full‑time employees
• Retirement plan with 3% employer match

Experience:

• Vegetable, flower, greenhouse or nursery production: 2 years preferred
• Floral design, bouquet production or flower sales: 1 year preferred
• Teaching, workshops or community programming: 1 year preferred