Categories
Updates

Hiring Farm Manager

Farm Manager, Boulder Knoll Community Farm, Cheshire, CT

Position Summary:

The Farm Manager manages and implements all phases of production, maintenance, harvest and distribution of vegetables to CSA members and local food charities. The farmer reports to the board of directors regarding budget and output, and is autonomous with respect to crop production. The farmer is responsible for maintenance and upkeep of machinery, tools and structures on the farm. The farmer communicates via email weekly with CSA members and provides a welcoming educational experience for CSA members to contribute to farm work including harvest and distribution. Farmer will provide guidance and education to CSA members when they are working at the farm. This position is full time from March – November (nine months).

About the farm: 

  • Approximately 2 acres under cultivation with potential additional land available
  • Two 72’ high tunnels
  • Irrigation from a deep well, spigots throughout growing area, and drip lines
  • Hoop house style distribution shed
  • Rough wash and prep station
  • Tool sheds stocked with hand tools
  • Soil with excellent structure and good organic matter
  • Lawn tractor/ trailer for mowing and hauling
  • Excellent member participation
  • Loyal CSA customer base
  • Reasonable budget for seeds, supplies and tools

IDEAL CANIDIDATE WILL HAVE:  

  • – Commitment to maintaining organic, sustainable farming standards.
  • – 3-5 years organic farming experience including farm management and CSA program.
  • – flexibility and resourcefulness
  • – experience with and ability to supervise workers of various skill levels including children
  • – mature communication and interpersonal skills
  • – self-motivated and self-managing
  • – experience with and ability to work with a variety of people of all ages

COMPENSATION:

The Farm Manager will work for FOBK as an independent contractor. Workers Compensation will be provided. Compensation is $24,000-26,000 with no employee benefits, and no taxes will be withheld.

ABOUT US:

Friends of Boulder Knoll (FOBK) is a community based non-profit corporation founded in 2006 on a belief in sustainable agriculture and sustainable communities. We work to involve local people of all ages, abilities, and experience levels in working on, understanding, enjoying and benefiting from the land and natural resources. A Board of Directors made up of individuals who share these beliefs guides the corporation and provides significant operational support. We operate a small scale, environmentally sustainable farm, Boulder Knoll Community Farm (BKCF) in Cheshire, CT which provides healthy, local produce to community supported agriculture shareholders as well as our neighbors in need.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Please send cover letter, resume and 3 references to dgroberg@friendsofboulderknoll.com.

Categories
Updates

Seeking an Environmental Educator

Boulder Knoll Community Farm (BKCF) is a small-scale, environmentally sustainable farm in Cheshire, CT that provides healthy, local vegetables and fruit to 80 shareholders, CT Food Bank, local soup kitchens and a New Haven restaurant. Education is a central component and an essential element in the vision of the Friends of Boulder Knoll (FOBK), the farm’s sponsoring organization. Our goal is to emphasize essential links between people, plants, and the earth, to develop interdisciplinary learning, and to promote environmental responsibility.

The Environmental Educator (EE) will be an energetic, well-organized environmentalist with experience in farming and education who will provide a variety of educational opportunities, at the farm and off-site when appropriate. The EE will support the mission of the farm by working with CSA members, volunteers, and the public to enhance educational opportunities at all levels.

Responsibilities:

* Design, publicize and implement a variety of educational programs for children, youth and adults as either the presenter or facilitator.  Lessons may cover topics such as sustainable agriculture, food preparation, and wildlife habitat.

* Conduct outreach to the community beyond BKCF CSA members. Manage existing relationships and expand educational opportunities to more groups. The EE will manage educational programs both on- and off-farm to reach the greatest population.

* Create and maintain an interactive educational space, as well as prepare and purchase needed educational materials (budget provided).

  • Provide educational opportunities at farm functions, including fundraisers and special events, and at weekly share-outs.
  • Work with FOBK board to publicize upcoming educational opportunities via email, social media, and traditional media channels.

The EE will be responsible to and will communicate periodically with the FOBK board regarding activities and success of the programs and will submit a written annual report on the educational program. The farmer must approve the timing and content of workshops.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate experience and basic theoretical knowledge in organic and sustainable farming. This is a position for someone seriously interested in sustainable farming, food, and community education. We offer the candidate the opportunity to be integrally involved in a small organic farming operation and in farm-based education.

Specific skills include, but are not mandated:

  • Excellent work ethic and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to get along with and communicate with all ages and abilities;
  • Background in Environmental Science, Agriculture, Education or related field;
  • Willingness to teach and learn sustainable growing techniques;
  • Familiarity with farming and farm-based education;
  • Demonstrated experience in working in formal and/or informal education programs including working with people with special needs;
  • Experience educating in an outdoor setting;
  • Ability to prepare and distribute visually appealing publicity for educational programs;
  • Ability to think strategically and creatively to enhance FOBK and BKCF while following the leadership of the farmer;
  • First aid /CPR certified or willingness to obtain the training;
  • Well organized, flexible, with an ability to take initiative and adapt to new situations.

Hours and Compensation:

In general the EE is expected to work an average of 10 -12 hours/week. Seasonal, 40 weeks, March through November. Some work is required on evenings and weekends, depending on timing of educational programs and distribution. Attendance at occasional FOBK board meetings will be expected with prior notice.

The EE will work for the Friends of Boulder Knoll as an independent contractor. The position offers no benefits, and no taxes will be withheld.  Compensation of $6,000-8,000 depending on experience, hours worked and documented. The position requires a full season commitment.

Send any questions and inquiries to (info@friendsofboulderknoll.com).

Categories
The World of Sustainability

Town pledges to do more to maintain open space

The Town of Cheshire pledges to do more to maintain its open space properties!

In today’s Cheshire Herald:

“Now that the Town owns a greenbelt of open space, it must develop a plan on how to maintain the upkeep needed to ensure residents will visit and utilize the properties.”
“In this year’s capital expenditure plan, Milone has proposed that the Town Council provide him with $116,000 for land management funds. This will allow the Town to go out and actively maintain the properties. In the past, Milone used an ad hoc method to maintain open space.”

Read the full article [subscription required] athttp://bit.ly/1dr2uQe

Categories
Events

Press Release: Friends of Boulder Knoll Announces Upcoming Farm to Table Dinner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
Friends of Boulder Knoll Announces Upcoming Farm to Table Dinner

Friends of Boulder Knoll
PO Box 1329
Cheshire, CT 06410
(203) 651-8620
www.friendsofboulderknoll.com

Dan Groberg
Fundraising Chair
dgroberg@friendsofboulderknoll.com
(802) 488-4303

CHESHIRE, Monday, July 29, 2013 — Friends of Boulder Knoll, Inc., a local educational and advocacy group, announces its upcoming “Farm to Table Dinner.” The evening, a fundraiser for the organization, will feature an elegant multi-course farm dinner experience showcasing a seasonal menu using farm-fresh produce and hosted at the beautiful Boulder Knoll Community Farm in Cheshire. The event will take place on September 18 at 6pm.

The evening will include a dinner created by critically acclaimed chef Jason Sobocinski, host of “The Big Cheese” on television’s The Cooking Channel and owner of Caseus Fromagerie and Bistro as well as Ordinary in New Haven.

The dinner will also feature wine pairings provided by Southend Wine and Spirits of Cheshire and craft-beer pairings provided by Mikro Beer Bar of Hamden. Attendees will also enjoy a silent auction featuring extraordinary items donated by local businesses and live music by On Call, Connecticut’s premier musical duo.

Tickets are $85 prior to August 1 and $100 after August 1 and are available for purchase online at www.friendsofboulderknoll.com/dinner.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Friends of Boulder Knoll’s educational programming and donations of healthy local produce to area soup kitchens.

The event is presented with generous support from Caseus Bistro of New Haven (www.caseusnewhaven.com), Southend Wine and Spirits of Cheshire (www.southendwine.com), the Connecticut Community Foundation (www.conncf.org), Murray’s Chicken (www.murrayschicken.com), and the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven (www.cfgnh.org).

About Friends of Boulder Knoll

Friends of Boulder Knoll is a non-profit organization based in Cheshire, CT that is dedicated to sustainable agriculture and sustainable communities. We are committed to involving local people of all ages, abilities, and levels of experience in working with, understanding, and enjoying the land and its natural resources. Through our community farm (Boulder Knoll Community Farm in Cheshire), we provide hands-on educational opportunities and grow healthy produce for farm shareholders and neighbors in need.

For more information, contact Dan Groberg, Fundraising Chair at dgroberg@friendsofboulderknoll.com or (802) 488-4303.

## #

Categories
Events

First Education Events of the Year!

Three Sisters Gardens
May 13, from 5:30-6:30pm
Recommended ages: 12 and under

What do you get when you cross Native American lore, mutualistic relationships and farming? A Three Sister’s Garden!

Bring the kids down for an afternoon of storytelling, sowing seed and fun! You get to bring home your very own Three Sister’s Garden to watch and learn how these siblings get along.

Spring Hike
May 23, from 5:30-7:00pm
All are welcome!

What’s coming out of the ground? Can you spot the intruders?

Join us at the farm for a spring Walk-N-Talk and see what native plants are emerging from the ground and, how they need to fight for their rightful place among the dreaded invasive plant species.

Freshwater Fishing
May 31, from 5:30pm-when we catch some fish!
Recommended ages: 7-12

Lets discover the common freshwater fish species in our area!

We’ll learn about anatomy, habits and life cycles of our water loving friends. We will also make a minimalist’s fishing pole and learn some basic fishing techniques and see what we can catch at a local pond minutes away from the farm. We will meet at the farm and drive over to the pond, caravan style, so be prompt! Fish On!

Email us at educator@boulderknollfarm.com to RSVP to any of our upcoming free educational workshops.

Categories
Updates

We’re Hiring: Environmental Educator/Harvest Manager

Environmental Educator/ Harvest Manager

Boulder Knoll Community Farm, Cheshire, CT

Boulder Knoll Community Farm(BKCF) is a small-scale, environmentally sustainable farm in Cheshire, CT that provides healthy, local vegetables and fruit to 65 shareholders, local soup kitchens, and a New Haven restaurant.  Education is a central component and an essential element in the vision of the Friends of Boulder Knoll (FOBK), the farm’s sponsoring organization. Our goal is to emphasize essential links between people, plants, and the earth, to develop interdisciplinary learning, and to promote environmental responsibility.

The Environmental Educator(EE)/Harvest Manager (HM) will be anenergetic, well-organized environmentalist with experience in farming and education who will provide a variety of educational opportunities, at the farm and off-site when appropriate. The EE/HM will assist the farmer in the overall operation of the farm including managing all aspects of the weekly CSA share distribution.

The EE/HM will work with the farmer to develop programs that provide hands-on experiences for children, youth and adults, including people with special needs. Programs will enable people to understand where their food comes from, what it takes to get it there and the importance of eating healthy, whole foods.

Job Description

The EE /HM will support the mission of the farm by providing assistance in the farm operation and by working with CSA members, and volunteers to enhance educational opportunities at all levels.

The EE/HM will design, publicize and implement a variety of educational programs for children, youth and adults. Lessons may cover topics ranging from sustainable agriculture, food preparation, to wildlife habitat. Programming may include, but is not limited to, fall and spring school programs, field trips, community groups (youth and adult), community events, adult classes, and summer programs on the farm. The EE/ HM will create an educational space, prepare / and purchase needed educational materials (budget provided). The farmer must approve the content and timing of educational programming.

The EE/ HM will assume responsibility for harvest and share distribution. Responsibilities will include communicating with share holders, outside suppliers, member work coordinators, and harvesters to assure that each CSA member is getting a share out that is of excellent product quality and quantity and has a positive pick- up experience.  The EE/HM will model good harvesting, prep, washing, display , clean- up techniques. He/she will respond to CSA sharers’ needs in terms of pick-up times and changes.

The EE/HM will work collaboratively with the farmer and will report to the FOBK Board. The EE/HM will communicate periodically with the board regarding activities and success of the programs and will submit a written annual report on the educational program.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate experience and basic theoretical knowledge in organic and sustainable farming, and ideally will have worked an entire season on a CSA farm or garden project. This is a position for someone seriously interested in sustainable farming, food, and community education. We offer the opportunity to be integrally involved in a small organic farming operation and in farm education. There is the potential for a successful individual to assume the farm manager position in 2014.

Specific skills include, but are not mandated:

  • Excellent work ethic and communication skills;
  • Background in Environmental Science, Agriculture, Education or related field;
  • Willingness to teach and learn sustainable growing techniques
  • Demonstrated experience in working in formal and/or informal education programs including working with people with special needs;
  • Experience educating in an outdoor setting; create an educational space, prepare / and purchase needed educational materials (budget provided);
  • Demonstrated ability to get along and communicate with all ages;
  • Familiarity with farming and farm-based education;
  • Ability to assist with physical and organizational farm tasks;
  • Ability to think strategically about the weekly harvest and balance the needs of the farm, CSA members and food donation recipients;
  • Ability to think strategically and creatively to enhance FOBK and BKCF while following the leadership of the farmer;
  • First aid /CPR certified or willingness to obtain the training;
  • Well organized, flexible, with an ability to take initiative and adapt to new situations.

Hours and Compensation:

The EE/HM position is seasonal, 34 weeks, April through November. In general the EE/HM is expected to work an average of 24 hours/week, to be allocated as follows:

12 hours/week – EE:  see description above

12 hours/week – HM: April/ May – assist farmer in a variety of tasks including planting, cultivation, bed preparation and weeding  (2 six hour days requested)

June – October – Assume responsibility for harvest and share distribution on Saturday.

Some work is required on evenings and weekends, depending on timing of educational programs and harvest/ share out. Attendance at occasional FOBK board meetings will be expected with prior notice.

The EE/HM will work for the Friends of Boulder Knoll as an independent contractor. Worker’s compensation will be provided. The position offers no benefits, and no taxes will be withheld.

Salary range: $12,000- $15,000 depending on experience, hours worked and documented. The position requires a full season commitment.

Thank you for your interest. The position has been filled.

Categories
Events

Harvest Celebration and Friends of Boulder Knoll Annual Meeting

Harvest Celebration and Friends of Boulder Knoll Annual Meeting

When: Friday, Oct 5th, 6 pm until 9 pm (or whenever)

What: Bring a dish to share (to feed about 8 people) and a good appetite. Main dishes, side dishes, salads, desserts are welcome. ( fyi: We don’t have any way to heat them up.) Beer and wine too!

We’re also hosting a stuff give-away. If you have a decent item (or 2 or 3!) that you’d like to re-home please bring it to the celebration. Anyone is welcome to bring items or adopt items. No money, no hassle, just a way of finding a good home for something that you don’t need anymore. You just need to take your item back if no one claims it. Put your name on the item somewhere so interested people can talk to you. If you have perennial plant divisions to give away, please bring those too.

Our short and sweet annual meeting includes a short report about the CSA and the education work at the farm, and then the members confirm the selection of new Board members and officers.

Where: Bob Giddings’ barn at the top of the hill overlooking the farm. Park at the farm or in Bob’s yard. Look for the signs.

Categories
Updates

Upcoming Educational Events

9am-12:00pm, Wednesday, July 25 th
Let’s Build a Birdhouse (Workshop for kids ages 6-12)

In this workshop we’ll discuss the role of birds in the environment and then assemble one birdhouse per child.  The houses will be kits that will have previously been fabricated by our own Environmental Educator. Due to the nature of this workshop, we ask that you register for this event in advance so that the proper number of assemblies can be fabricated.  Walk in will only witness the event. Free event but please RSVP!

1-3pm, Saturday, July 28st
Organic Gardening:  Beyond the Basics (Teens and adults only please!)

Building on Organic Vegetable Gardening for Beginners this workshop goes beyond the basics of organic gardening.   We’ll discuss lead in our soils, taking soil samples, succession planting, companion planting, crop rotation, cover crops, etc.  Free event but please RSVP!

Categories
Events

Our Casual Evening on the Farm

Thank you for the tremendous evening! Check out the photos below, from Lauren, Deb, Meredith, Jeff, and Cheshire Patch.

Here’s the Patch’s article about our event: http://cheshire.patch.com/articles/farm-dinner-beats-the-heat

And the New Haven Register wrote a great article beforehand: http://nhregister.com/articles/2012/07/08/news/metro/doc4ffa47e24849f059239278.txt

Categories
Events Updates

We’re in the New Haven Register

Thank you to the New Haven Register for your story on our upcoming Casual Evening on the Farm!

Community farm in Cheshire in the market for members, money
Luther Turmelle, New Haven Register, July 9, 2012

CHESHIRE — Now in its fourth growing season, the Boulder Knoll Community Farm is continuing to expand its membership in much the same way it grows its vegetables: organically. Read more ->