Production Associate - NS

About Shalom Farms Shalom Farms is a nonprofit, food justice organization. We believe that everyone deserves equitable access to nourishing food and meaningful opportunities to grow, choose, cook and enjoy that food. We grow and distribute fresh, affordable, and culturally relevant food across the Richmond region while working to confront the systemic barriers that create food insecurity. On our two Certified Naturally Grown farms, in Northside Richmond and Powhatan County, we work with thousands of volunteers each year to produce more than 100,000 pounds of fruits and vegetables, shared through Mobile Markets, Produce Rx (PRx), and community partnerships. About the Position This position will be a blend of production farming, volunteer management, and some market distribution. The Production Associate will work to support all of Shalom Farms’ programming, with an emphasis on our Northside Farm. This position will work under the direction of the Farm Lead to perform farm work, both independently and while guiding volunteers and interns through daily farm tasks. Farm work includes but is not limited to harvesting, post-harvest handling in our packing barn, planting, field prep, and farm maintenance. When working markets, responsibilities include driving the market vehicle, coordinating all market activities with the support of volunteers, managing point of sale and customer service, and ensuring shoppers have a dignified shopping experience. Shopper feedback helps shape our community-informed market programming. The food grown on our farms goes directly to Mobile Markets, Produce Rx (PRx), and partner distributions that serve families facing systemic barriers to fresh, affordable food. The Production Associate helps us grow more food, more reliably, as we scale production to meet community needs. The ideal candidate will be knowledgeable about and excited to deepen their practice of sustainable agriculture techniques and will be energized by working with, teaching, and guiding others. This person is responsible for co-creating and upholding a culture that prioritizes safety, inclusion, education, warmth and humility. We are a dynamic organization with work that changes throughout the year, and as such this position’s responsibilities will shift with the seasons and as needs arise. This position will report to the Northside Farm Lead for overall supervision. When working markets, they will report to the Distribution Lead. The Northside Production Associate is a season-long position with a home base at Shalom’s Northside farm located at 1311 Westwood Ave, Richmond VA 23227. This location is near the intersection of Westwood Ave. and Lamont St. in Richmond, VA; there is a bus stop within four blocks. At times, this position will be asked to work from other locations, including our Powhatan farm and distribution sites. Key Responsibilities Farm Production Day to day farm responsibilities, taking ownership of certain areas of the farm. Volunteer Management Guiding and working with crews of volunteers and interns on a daily basis. Market Management Manage operations and logistics for assigned market(s) each week. Planning and Data Entry Daily, weekly and monthly planning and data entry, as well as meetings. Cross-Departmental Duties Meetings, cross-departmental opportunities, and other duties as assigned. Details Farm Production and Management Perform farm and field work to achieve harvest and distribution goals with the guidance of the Northside Farm Lead. This may include working alone to complete more technical farming tasks such as fertigation, direct sowing, spraying, and watering the greenhouse, as well as working alongside other staff and guiding volunteers and interns to complete farm tasks. With direction from the Northside Farm Lead, take ownership of defined areas of the farm. These may include greenhouse management, community partner communication, data entry, soil fertility, field irrigation, tractor work, and pest and disease control, among other aspects of our work. Areas of added responsibility will be defined based on the employee's skills, experience, and interests, as well as organizational needs. Help with the general maintenance of all farm equipment and outbuildings. Keep work areas clean and organized. Drive Shalom vehicles for programmatic work and deliveries. Volunteer Management and Support Guide and work alongside individual volunteers and volunteer groups in completion of daily farm tasks. Typical tasks include working in the packing barn, sowing, planting, harvesting, and amending soil, and may include providing task direction to volunteers working on specialized tasks such as maintenance and building projects. Collaborate with and provide support to other staff and interns for the purpose of effective volunteer management and completion of farm work. Participate in community building and gratitude for lead volunteers. Work with the Engagement team to consistently build and improve volunteer engagement skills. Contribute feedback on how to improve volunteer programming on the farm and pass along feedback from others. Provide general information to visitors on how to further engage with the organization. Lead general farm tours and provide educational orientation for new volunteers and small volunteer groups as needed. Uphold Shalom’s community values and participate in a culture that prioritizes safety, inclusion, education, warmth, and humility. Market Management Manage on-site operations of assigned mobile markets: timely setup and breakdown, accurate pricing & labeling, inventory management, aesthetically pleasing displays, checkout management Provide on-site task direction to market volunteers and interns, including assigning tasks, maintaining good communication, helping problem solve Load, organize, unload assigned market vehicle/s Operate cash register and accurately record sales in POS system Reconcile cash register post-market/s Ensure equitable treatment of all shoppers by managing inventory and ensuring fair pricing Provide excellent customer service so that all customers have positive shopping experiences Cultivate a safe environment for staff, volunteers, and shoppers With support from the Distribution Lead, maintain relationships with market site partner organizations With support from the Distribution Lead, execute regular and ongoing opportunities for shopper feedback, to support program evaluation efforts and community-informed programming Contribute feedback on how to improve market programming and pass along feedback from others. Planning, Communication, and Data Entry Perform as needed data entry pertaining to harvest logs, propagation, planting, sales, pest and disease management, greenhouse management, fertility input application, etc. Contribute to and participate in morning and afternoon farm planning meetings. Communicate with Farm Lead on an ongoing basis with updates on work accomplished. Stay up to date on internal and external organizational communications, including slack and email. Cross-Departmental Duties Contribute to and participate in relevant committee and staff meetings, trainings, etc Maintain regular 1:1 meetings with the Northside Farm Lead and other Leads where appropriate. Assist with and/or run Mobile Markets and other distribution events as assigned. Assist with field trips and other educational activities as needed. Participate in outreach events as outlined at the start of the season. Availability to work both Shalom Farms events (Summer Open House and Fall Harvest Festival) Drive Shalom Farms vehicles for programmatic work Provide coverage for other staff, which may include working outside the role’s typical work hours and in other locations. Other duties as assigned. Qualities Commitment to racial equity and to Shalom Farms' values: justice, collaboration, integrity, respect, and sustainability. Enthusiasm for engaging in work and conversation around food justice and sustainable