Organic Growers Alliance
Co-head grower (fixed term) at Sims Hill CSA – Bristol
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Job Title: Co-Head Grower – Sims Hill Shared Harvest – Fixed-term contract (November 2026 – January 2028)
Location
Sims Hill Shared Harvest, 181 Frenchay Park Rd, Bristol BS16 1EL
Hours
- 3 days per week from October to February (5 months)
- 3.5 days per week from March to September (7 months)
Days
- Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays
- Plus a half-day on Monday/Tuesday in summer (to be discussed with growing team)
- Occasional weekend/evening commitments
Status
Employed, fixed-term contract from November 2026 – January 2028. This is a cover role for a sabbatical.
Pay rate
£18,417.51 per annum (in line with real living wage set by Living Wage Foundation)
Application deadline
30th September 12pm (noon)
Interview date
14th October
Start date
Mid-November 2026
About the Role
Sims Hill Shared Harvest is a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) cooperative based in Frenchay on the edge of Bristol. We are seeking applicants for the post of Co-Head Grower to collaboratively manage the CSA. The candidate will work with the other two Head Growers, sharing equal responsibility for managing the farm.
Sims Hill grows mixed vegetables for its 190+ members using organic standards (although not certified) and has 4 acres of growing land, including 6 tunnels for protected cropping. The growing area is split across our field on the Sims Hill site (the ‘Big Field’) and our market garden on the Grow Wilder site, which is sub-rented from Avon Wildlife Trust.
We supply our members with a share of veg 12 months of the year, buying in as needed from organic wholesalers to cover shortfalls. We also sell surplus to local restaurants and outlets to generate extra income.
We are looking for an experienced commercial grower with an understanding of and commitment to CSA values, organic and agroecological production, and the ability to work collaboratively within a cooperative structure. The role will be responsible for the planning, production, and delivery of CSA and wholesale crops, as well as the running of three events for additional income and volunteer days. The co-head growers are all Sims Hill Directors and report to the Sims Hill Board as part of monthly evening board meetings.
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Depending on funding, we also run a horticultural drop-in for people with experience of the UK asylum system, called Soil Connections. This project will be led by all the co-head Growers.
Responsibilities and Personal Specification
Collaboratively Lead On
- Managing and delivering on the full growing cycle, including planning, crop production, cultivation and fertility building
- Safe and effective use of our tractor and two-wheel tractor
- Managing propagation, sowing plans, seed orders, and harvest list
- Managing the workshares, volunteers, delivery driver, seasonal grower and intern (both funding dependent)
- Delivery of HR – ensuring policies and procedures are followed and working with others to create a culture of care and resolution
- Managing and ensuring delivery of the weekly veg share
- Ordering farm supplies (seed orders, fuel, sundries, new equipment) in accordance with farm budget
- Developing new income streams and commercial sales, working with existing partners to deliver wholesale, developing relationships with existing and new key partners e.g. LWA, CSA Network, Grow Wilder
- Coordinating with the Sims Hill admin people on invoicing, share numbers, etc.
Outreach and member involvement
- Attending board meetings (second Thursday of the month in the evenings)
- Presenting at our AGM and annual budget meeting
- Ensuring that Sims Hill operational policies are followed
- Ensuring Health and Safety practices are in place and being followed
- Managing the Soil Connections project subject to funding – running the group, safeguarding, managing the budget and reporting to funders/board
- Contributing to financial planning and budget
- Communication with our members and provision of involvement opportunities for our members
- Running Sunday volunteer sessions on a rota with other growers
- Watering – includes occasional weekend watering
Essential Experience
- Minimum 2 years commercial growing experience
- Experience in tractor driving and field cultivation
- Understanding of organic and agroecological farming principles and practices
- Experience Working With Volunteers – Compassionate And Professional Communication Skills
- Ability to lead tasks with a mixed team
- Very good organisational skills, including time management and ability to prioritise competing tasks
- Ability to work on own initiative (including lone working) and collaboratively as part of team
- Experience with budgeting, finance, and farm admin
- Computer literate and able to use Microsoft Office and Google Suite
- Understanding of health and safety practices on a farm
- Full UK driving licence
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Desirable Experience
- Working cooperatively or in a CSA structure
- Working alongside people affected by the UK asylum system
- Broader land management skills – hedgerow management, woodland management, track and drainage management
- Fundraising
- Mechanics/machinery
- Bookkeeping
- Leading training and workshops
Commitments
- Commitment to CSA principles and working within a CSA cooperative structure
- Commitment to creating a more diverse, inclusive, and accessible food system
- Commitment to working non-hierarchically and to considering and understanding your rank/privilege/power
Our commitments as a CSA
We see our work as political. Coming from a position of systemic privilege, Sims Hill recognises the lack of diversity in the UK agricultural and environmental sectors. We aspire to be a participatory organisation, upholding the voices of our members and community. We are committed to working to disrupt the structural barriers to food justice and strive to make the food we produce and land we farm accessible to all. We welcome all applications for our job roles and actively encourage BAME and LGBTQI+ people to apply. If you have any questions for the team, you are very welcome to get in touch before applying.
How to apply
To apply for this role please email your CV along with a cover letter to simshillgrowers@gmail.com by 12.00 noon on 30th September 2026.
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