Farm Production Manager

Job Overview

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’sprogramsprovide 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 vibrantfuture 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 toplant, 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.

AmeriCorps Member Primary Responsibilities
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Manage and improve infrastructure in all growing spaces at the farm
• In coordination with the Farm to School Director manage cropplanning andpreparation for springplant sales.
• In coordination with the Farm to School Director evaluate and developcropplanning for foodproduction 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 croprecords.
• Expand our partnerships with local food systems through engagement with communitypartners.
• Improve our low-till methods using occultation tarps and cover cropping.
• Expand our 3⁄4 acreproduction field andplan hedgerowadditions
• 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. Theposition willprimarily involve days
of service outdoors, with indoor space available in case of inclement weather. Co-work ofDice 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
• Strongprofessional communication skills
• Passionate, patient, flexible, intelligent, creative, kind, caring, self-motivated
• Experience with Word, Excel, GoogleDrive 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 lawfulpermanent resident of the United States
• Able topass 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 arepart of Employers of National Service and the
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program to eliminate educational debt.

About the Living Allowance
An 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.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now on our website at mountainrootsfoodproject.org. If you have any
questions, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].