Working Title: Urban Agriculture Initiative - Urban Farm Mentor

Classification: Extension Program Associate 2 (Job Code 8316A2), Civil Service

Appointment: Temporary (May-November 2024), Part-time (.75 FTE; 30 hours/week)

Pay Rate: $22-24.00 an hour with University of Minnesota

Locations: Urban Research Outreach and Engagement Center, W. Broadway Garden, and Sunflower Garden

Apply By: May 5, 2024 deadline extended

About the Program

The Hennepin-University Urban Agriculture Initiative, a partnership between Hennepin County and the University of Minnesota's Hennepin County Extension Office, is transforming 2 vacant lots into gardens where community, food, health and wellbeing come together to create neighborhood gathering and growing spaces.

We are working to design and build two garden spaces in north Minneapolis with neighbors, youth, and community partners to provide a welcoming space for community building, healing, and intergenerational learning. The overall goals of this program are to contribute to community resilience with accessible small-scale community gardens to learn together and focus on community health and wellness.

During June - August, we employ high school and college-age youth to care for the gardens which this role will supervise and oversee.

About the Position

We are looking for an engaging team member to serve as the Urban Site Steward/Community Mentor with the Hennepin-University Urban Agriculture Initiative. Ideally, this person loves connecting with others around growing food in the community and is invested in the North Minneapolis urban farming movement. This position is responsible for the garden development/maintenance and is responsible for developing, planting, and caring for two urban gardens that grow with vegetables and offer community gathering spaces.

Additionally, Urban Site Steward/Community Mentor is the lead community mentor for the summer garden program that employs 7 young people in 10 weeks of hands-on work development experiences in the area of urban agriculture and environmental sciences. This position would supervise the day-to-day work of those young people. In the role's focus as Community Mentor, you will work alongside one other UAI community mentor, community members, U of M Extension staff, and collaborative partners to build a garden, grow fresh produce, and engage with the north Minneapolis community.

Responsibilities:

Garden Development Leadership and Maintenance (45%)

• Lead implementation of garden design plans, including building/maintaining raised beds, garden paths, garden trellis structures, and community gathering spaces
• Develop work plans for and lead all daily garden operation tasks for 2 garden sites, including planting, weeding, harvesting, irrigating, trash pickup, and general maintenance
• Develop and implement the crop plan for both garden sites, which includes annual vegetables, fruits, flowers, and perennials based on community input
• Harvest and distribute produce to program partners and food shelves
• Work with UMN Extension team to develop a weekly purchase list of materials and supplies for garden operations
• Work with UMN Extension team to develop and maintain relationships with local vendors for contracted garden services

Community Engagement (10%)

• Foster connections in community outreach efforts to neighbors, community members, and organizations around creating and implementing the garden vision and community offerings (education workshops)
• Build relationships with North Minneapolis youth and neighborhood residents to help advance the UAI goals
• Identify and address targeted community issues via the gardens and related programming (health and wellness, growing vegetables and connecting to local food systems, and youth development opportunities)
• In collaboration with the UMN Extension team, engage the community at garden events and community offerings (distributing flyers, emails, multi-media strategies)
• Communicate UAI program opportunities to north Minneapolis partner organizations, residents, and stakeholders
• Promote and market the UAI program, along with other Hennepin County Extension programs
• Create and offer opportunities for program reflection to ensure community input is represented in program goals

Program Management / Youth Mentorship / Education (35%)

• Work with UMN Extension team to recruit and onboard youth leader interns
• Supervise and support short term youth leader interns in UMN employment-related functions (i.e. timekeeping)
• Mentor youth working and learning in the garden to gain on-the-job skills in the garden
• Lead youth interns in daily garden maintenance June - August, including building raised beds and gathering structures, planting vegetables and fruits, weeding, watering, harvesting, and composting (construction/tool training will be provided).
• Mentor youth in growing fruits and vegetables and care for the garden
• Support UMN Extension team members by assisting them with workshops related to the community garden and its participants.
• Operate fleet vehicles to transport youth and supplies
• Collect and ensure entry of data for program reporting
• Daily coordination of program supplies and garden materials. Includes transporting drinking water, snacks, and picking up materials from offsite storage
• Attend required trainings
• Follow and implement University of Minnesota Extension policies and practices
• Apply risk management procedures to youth leader intern program

Management Team (10%)

• Attend regular meetings with larger UMN Extension - Hennepin County UAI team April-November
• Co-lead UAI planning meetings, including coordination and agenda-setting
• Supervise youth during on-site garden programming, June-August
• Schedule regular check-ins with youth for feedback and program/garden planning
• Work with UMN Extension communication team to implement a social media strategy, including maintaining a customer relationship management system (regular Smore newsletter)
• Plan and host volunteer support days for Hennepin County Master Gardener Volunteers; communicate to Youth Education & Community Programs Volunteer Coordinator to confirm schedule.

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS with two years of experience, OR a combination of education and experience to equal six (6) years. This experience is to include managing an urban garden and/or experience in urban agriculture, horticulture, agriculture, or related field.
• Successful experience working with people from various cultural backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, socioeconomic status, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and other aspects of human diversity.
• Documented experience growing vegetable gardens and local food advocacy
• Must have demonstrated experience and knowledge of working effectively with the north Minneapolis community, including individuals, organizations, and/or communities representing new, culturally and economically diverse, and underserved audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to understand, affirm, and engage the North Minneapolis or similar BIPOC community.
• Willingness to work outside doing physical work to build and care for the two (2) gardens in North Minneapolis
• Ability to work as a team member and complete tasks as identified.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid driver's license with a good driving record and ability to drive on highways and eligible to operate University Fleet vehicles. Transportation to and from work or the ability to navigate public transportation is required. Mileage reimbursement is provided for the use of own vehicle during work for travel that is done outside of normal commute to garden locations.
• When not in the assigned office location, employees must be reachable with a mobile or alternate number at the employee's own expense.
• Ability to maintain a flexible work schedule, including evening and weekend work.
• Must be able to work lift/push/pull 15 pounds frequently and 30 pounds occasionally
• This position does not qualify for an employer sponsored Visa; must be authorized to work in the US upon application to position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in partnership collaboration
• Experience with co-creating educational program experiences
• Working knowledge of with google suite including gmail, calendar, docs, sheets, photos, and slides.
• Volunteer recruitment, coordination, and training experience
• Experience working with or mentoring high school students and incorporating them into hands-on learning experiences.

ABOUT EXTENSION

University of Minnesota Extension is a major outreach arm of the University of Minnesota with a mission to serve the public through applied research and education. Our mission is to make a difference by connecting community needs and University resources to address critical issues in Minnesota. Extension strives to attract and retain high-quality, passionate employees, and weave diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of Extension's programming and employee engagement. Find further information at

Please note: This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click on the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position. Please attach the following required application materials:

1. Cover letter
2. Resume - Your resume must include all your education and experience as it relates to the required qualifications. The initial HR screening process focuses primarily on the resume.

Names and contact information for three professional references will be required during the interview process.

Additional documents may be attached after the application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section. See full instructions, .

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

For questions about this position contact:

Amie Mondl, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development, .

For questions about applying online, contact:

Tiffany McMillan, Extension Human Resources, .

The University of Minnesota and Extension recognize and value the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.