Organic Growers Alliance
Head Grower – Established No-Dig Market Garden – Black Mountains, Wales
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Head Grower at Moor Park Garden – advertisement
The Moor Park Garden is a no-dig, sustainable garden with strong organic principals first started 6 years ago in the Black Mountains in South East Wales. The garden supplies approx. 30-35 veg boxes to the local community – within a 5 mile radius – plus a selection of restaurants and wedding venues who value premium quality, fresh vegetables, particularly salads, grown for optimum taste and texture.
The vegetable garden itself comprises a small walled garden – circa 1 acre – with a similar area beyond the walled garden recently brought to hand. There are two polytunnels, with fruit trees growing in netted areas, plus an apple orchard. The apples are either sold direct or juiced, bottled and sold throughout the year.
Sadly we are looking for a head grower as our partner in the operation, who was the head grower, has decided to step away after 6 successful years in the role. The garden has outgrown his ambition. He built the garden from scratch – establishing an excellent platform from which to scale the business.
We are looking for a strong leader to be integral part of the wider team at Moor Park, comprising 2 groundsmen and a part time flower specialist. Working collaboratively with the rest of the hard working team, we are seeking someone who is efficient and has an excellent work ethic. This role will suit someone who is a self-starter and ambitious. Innovative ideas and approaches are appreciated.
Day-to-day duties will include all aspects of no-dig organic growing, from harvesting, prepping and packing through to bed preparation, composting to weeding, seed sowing, plant propagation, and maintenance, together with some paperwork, and contributing to the marketing and communications with customers. We are looking for someone who can help to drive the business forward, and work on both short and long-term planning with the wider team.
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Growing: You will need to be able to manage propagation, planting, bed preparation, weed management, pest and disease management (organic), crop care, irrigation, fertility, tool care and harvesting. You’ll also need to be able to manage and repair irrigation systems and tools. You will need to manage greenhouse and polytunnel soil health and growing, as well as cleaning, repairs and maintenance. Seed harvesting and efficient seed ordering are also vital to the job.
Crop planning: Working from the yields and records kept from previous years, you will need to make crop plans running into the following year but also be able to adapt them according to the weather, seed availability and in particular what chefs want. You will need to be able to produce crop and sowing plans. We generate most of our own seeds from one year to another.
Composting: Experience/understanding of composting would be a bonus. You will be responsible for producing compost using the ingredients from the wider garden and woodland on the estate.
Logistics: The head grower will need to be able to organise a small team (potentially 2 part-time workers) to work around the weather conditions. You will also need to manage order sheets, oversee invoicing, stores of compost, seeds, harvesting stores and more. You will be responsible for organising deliveries to the local restaurants, drop offs at centralised pick up points and a limited number of local home deliveries.
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Marketing: You will be expected to help with marketing the vegetables, looking for new markets, making decisions on what crops are financially worth growing and pushing the business forward to the next level. Innovation in thinking and being able to communicate with chefs is essential.
Administration: You will be responsible for budgeting, ordering, invoicing and communicating clearly with the management team on the estate. Record keeping is essential – from sowing and planting dates to crop records. You will be responsible for ensuring financial team have all invoice records etc as requested, and working with the accountant to create and update budgets year on year.
The role is full-time. Salary is dependent on experience, and accommodation may be available.
Essential
- At least 2 seasons in an organic horticulture set up
- Proven experience leading a team and strong communication and coordination skills
- Confident in crop planning, seed ordering, and record keeping
- Knowledge and familiarity with diverse, seasonal produce, from a growing/cooking perspective
- Willingness to work in a physical, outdoors role
- Ability to work flexible hours during the main growing season
- Full, clean UK driving license and access to own vehicle due to rural location
Desirable
- Direct head grower experience
- Familiarity with direct to restaurant sales
Salary: To be agreed depending on experience – may include accommodation
Contact: Ellie@moorpark.garden
This topic was modified 2 months, 3 weeks ago by Holly Jarvis OGA Admin. This topic was modified 2 months, 3 weeks ago by Holly Jarvis OGA Admin.
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