Urban Farm & Education Manager

John Boner Neighborhood Centers; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

John Boner Neighborhood Centers (JBNC) seeks an Urban Farm & Education Manager to lead our urban farm operations and develop engaging agricultural education for youth, families, and community members. The role blends farming, education, sustainability, and community engagement to promote healthy food access and environmental stewardship.

You'll oversee planting, irrigation, and farm records while creating gardening and nutrition curricula for diverse audiences.

Qualifications

• Requires hands-on farming experience and knowledge of sustainable practices.
• Experience delivering youth or community education is helpful.
• Ability to manage volunteers and partner organizations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee urban farm operations: planting, irrigation, harvesting.
• Develop and deliver agricultural education programs for youth and families.
• Coordinate volunteers and community gardeners.
• Build partnerships to expand farm and education programming.
• Ensure safety and accurate farm records.

Skills

Hands-on agriculture

Community engagement

Project management

Excellent communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate or bachelor's degree in agriculture, environmental science, education, or related field preferred

Job description

At John Boner Neighborhood Centers (JBNC), we believe vibrant communities grow when neighbors have opportunities to connect, learn, and build a stronger future together.

We're seeking an Urban Farm & Education Manager to join our Community Development team and lead the day-to-day operation of JBNC's urban farm while creating engaging agricultural education opportunities for youth, families, and community members. In this role, you'll bring together farming, education, sustainability, and community engagement to connect neighbors with healthy food, environmental stewardship, and hands‑on learning.

About the Role

The Urban Farm & Education Manager is responsible for the successful operation of JBNC's urban farm and related agricultural education programs. This is a hands‑on role that combines farm and crop management with curriculum development, community education, volunteer coordination, and partnership development.

You'll oversee everything from planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops to maintaining irrigation, grounds, equipment, and farm records. At the same time, you'll develop educational experiences around gardening, sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and environmental stewardship for a variety of audiences.

You'll also work closely with volunteers, community gardeners, schools, universities, community organizations, and JBNC teams to create opportunities for neighbors to participate in farming, gardening, food education, and sustainability activities.

A Day in the Life

A typical day as an Urban Farm & Education Manager might begin outdoors on the farm, checking crops, irrigation systems, and growing areas and determining what needs attention. Depending on the season, you could spend part of the day planting, harvesting, managing pests, preparing crops for distribution, or maintaining farm grounds and equipment.

Later, you might lead an educational activity with youth, work on a lesson plan for an upcoming program, or coordinate volunteers and community gardeners. You may also meet with a school or community partner to plan an agricultural learning experience, review program feedback and data, or work with JBNC staff on a grant opportunity.

Throughout the year, you'll balance hands‑on farm work with education, relationship‑building, program management, and administrative responsibilities. This is a role for someone who enjoys being active, working outdoors, connecting with people, and seeing the tangible results of their work in the community.

What You'll Do

Farm Operations & Crop Management

• Plan, plant, cultivate, maintain, and harvest vegetables, fruits, and other crops.
• Manage irrigation, farm work areas, grounds, landscaping, and other day‑to‑day farm operations.
• Identify plants, pests, and weeds and use appropriate organic pest‑management and fertilizer practices.
• Maintain accurate records related to crops, yields, costs, and other farm operations.
• Coordinate the inspection, grading, sorting, storage, packing, and post‑harvest handling of crops.
• Support the distribution and transportation of agricultural products to farm stands, markets, programs, and storage locations.
• Maintain a safe, organized farm environment and ensure appropriate use of tools, equipment, and protective gear.

Agricultural Education & Programming

• Develop and deliver engaging agriculture and garden education programs for youth, families, and community members.
• Create curriculum and learning experiences focused on gardening, crop production, soil health, plant biology, nutrition, sustainable agriculture, and environmental stewardship.
• Develop and present programming for after‑school programs, summer camps, and youth and adult mentoring opportunities.
• Create lesson plans, instructional guides, visual aids, activity kits, and other educational resources.
• Evaluate educational programs using participant feedback and available data and make improvements to strengthen program quality and outcomes.

Community Engagement & Volunteer Management

• Recruit, orient, coordinate, and support volunteers and community gardeners participating at the urban farm.
• Create welcoming opportunities for neighbors to participate in gardening, farming, food education, and sustainability activities.
• Build positive relationships with volunteers, community gardeners, program participants, and visitors.
• Ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone participating in activities at the farm.

Partnerships & Program Development

• Collaborate with JBNC teams, schools, universities, community organizations, and other partners to provide meaningful agricultural learning experiences.
• Build and maintain partnerships that strengthen farm and agricultural education programming.
• Use available data and community feedback to identify needs and inform program planning and improvement.
• Support efforts to expand resources and opportunities for the urban farm and its educational programs.

Sustainability, Grants & Communications

• Promote sustainable farming practices such as composting, waste reduction, soil health, and environmentally responsible pest management.
• Work with the Director of Grants and other JBNC staff on grant applications, reporting, grant‑related activities, and funding opportunities.
• Share farm and program updates, photos, outcomes, and other information to support JBNC communications and social media.
• Complete required time sheets, requisitions, program data, and other administrative documentation accurately and on time.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for a hands‑on, community‑minded agriculture professional who enjoys both working with people and working with the land. This role requires someone who can move comfortably between farm operations, education, community engagement, and program management.

Candidates should bring:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; an associate or bachelor's degree in agriculture, environmental science, education, or a related field is preferred.
• Experience with farming, gardening, crop cultivation, or farm management; prior American farming experience is preferred.
• Experience developing or delivering educational programs, training, or youth programming is helpful.
• Knowledge of agricultural practices, crop cultivation, sustainable farming, and basic farm management.
• Ability to develop and deliver engaging educational content for diverse age groups.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, organizational, and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and collaborate effectively with staff, partners, volunteers, and community members.
• Comfort working outdoors for extended periods and performing physical farm work, including bending, standing, walking, lifting, and pulling.
• Ability to safely use farming and gardening tools and equipment and follow required safety practices.
• Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends based on seasonal farm and program needs.
• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and adjust your schedule as needed throughout the growing and programming seasons.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means maintaining a productive, safe, and well‑managed urban farm while creating meaningful opportunities for people to learn, participate, and connect with agriculture.

You'll ensure crops are successfully planted, maintained, and harvested; farm resources and equipment are responsibly managed; and sustainable practices are incorporated into daily operations. You'll also deliver engaging educational programs that help youth, families, and community members build knowledge and skills around gardening, healthy food, and environmental stewardship.

You'll build strong relationships with volunteers, community gardeners, schools, and community partners while using participant feedback and program data to strengthen programming. Success also means keeping farm and program records accurate, meeting grant and reporting requirements, and making steady progress toward program goals and outcomes.

Why Join JBNC?

John Boner Neighborhood Centers' mission is to inspire neighbors and partners to improve quality of life on Indianapolis' Near Eastside by providing tools for change and growth.

As an Urban Farm & Education Manager, you'll have the opportunity to bring that mission to life in a very tangible way—growing food, teaching new skills, creating connections, and helping neighbors build a healthier and more sustainable community.

If you're someone who loves being outdoors, enjoys teaching and connecting with people, and wants your work to have a visible impact on the community, we'd love to hear from you.

John Boner Neighborhood Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status