Intentional Community Focused on Sustainability and Caretaking Seeks Gardeners and Farmers!

Camphill Village Minnesota (CVM) is an eco-village of around 50 people in Central Minnesota. Our mission is to create and sustain a community where people with and without disabilities live, work and care for each other in fostering social, spiritual, cultural and agricultural renewal. CVM is part of a global movement of Camphill communities that focus on curative education and social therapy, approaches to working and living with people with developmental disabilities inspired out of Anthroposophy. The Biodynamic approach to agriculture provides the core tenets of our farming philosophy. In addition to biodynamic principles and practices, gardeners will also learn holistic management and permaculture approaches to organically grown agriculture and land stewardship. Gardeners will also have the opportunity to collaborate and work with other local farms, including our Amish neighbors. Food is a huge component of our community and the work we do together on the land helps to sustain us all year round!

The Garden Manager is responsible for the production of vegetables for the community and outside markets whilst managing a team of coworkers to create a therapeutic work environment for their peers with developmental disabilities. It is the responsibility of the Garden Manager to work with the community to determine the size of production. This is based on a balance between the skills of the Garden Manager, the needs of the community and the other financial, human and land resources that are currently available. The garden is one of many work areas in the community which include homemaking, food processing, crafts, forestry, farming, and art. During the growing season the garden is a core workplace in our community. The Garden Manager and food processors must work closely together as a team.

Responsibilities:

-Manage 2 acres of organically grown produce
-Manage and work alongside a crew of 8 people who have a range of abilities
-Develop a garden plan with the community based on needs and resources
-Complete state mandated and Camphill specific training
-Work 5-6 days per week at varied hours
-Openness to learning about, creating, and spraying biodynamic preparations

Qualifications/Skills:

-Organic and /or biodynamic vegetable production experience ( minimum of 1 year experience preferred)
-Experience working with people with developmental disabilities (minimum 1 year experience preferred)
-Excellent verbal and written communication skills
-Ability to lift 50+ lbs
-Ability to set goals and make an assessment of successes and how to better achieve goals in the next growing season
-Ability and willingness to work outdoors for long periods of time
-Experience with tractor and equipment operation and maintenance preferred
-Volunteer coordination experience preferred


Ideally, the Garden Manager would live in our community. The application process includes a trial period to see if the applicant is a good fit for our community as well as if our community is a good fit for the applicant. On the off season, the Garden Manager would have the opportunity to learn other trades, such as woodworking, food processing, arts, weaving, ceramics  or farming.

Housing: Provided by the community. Daily farm fresh meals also provided.
Compensation: Base - $200 / month stipend
Benefits: Health insurance, room and board, vehicle access (gas and insurance included), and three weeks paid vacation per year
There is a needs-based fiscal conversation upon acceptance to make sure financial dependencies are being met. This includes a conversation about student debt payment plans.
Learning Opportunities: The biodynamic approach to agriculture, also coming out of Anthroposophy, provides the core tenets of our farming philosophy. In addition to biodynamic principles and practices, land workers will also learn holistic management and permaculture approaches to agriculture and land stewardship. The Garden Manager will also have the opportunity to collaborate and work with other local farms, including our Amish neighbors. Time is also provided to be away for training and conferences.

Not an expert gardener yet but want to learn? We are open to conversation and using your skills in a coworker role with less responsibility and more learning opportunities!

How to apply:
Go to http://www.camphillmn.org/gardenmanager/ and fill out the application

Or email Lindsey@camphillmn.org

To see us in action:
www.facebook.com/camphillmn
www.instagram.com/camphillmn