Our Mission
We are a youth empowerment and food justice organization. We provide meaningful space where youth define and cultivate their agency, empowerment, and well-being. At FoodWhat, youth engage in relationships with land, food, and each other in ways that are grounded in love and rooted in justice.
Who We Serve
We work in Santa Cruz County with high-school-aged, system-impacted and other struggling youth and program alumni. This includes low-income youth, youth from farmworker families, youth in alternative schools, youth experiencing mental health challenge, youth in the child welfare (foster care) system, youth in the criminal legal system, LGBTQ youth, disabled youth, and young parents—all of whom experience challenges and are building resilience.
What We Do
We provide a safe, non-judgmental, and supportive space for young people to engage in meaningful food-and farm-based experiences that meet their basic needs of healthy food, a living wage, community belonging, connection to the land, ancestral knowledge, healing, and self-determination. Together, we learn about, grow, cook, eat, and distribute healthy food. At FoodWhat, food is celebrated for its own inherent value and serves as a vehicle for personal growth and empowerment, community connection, awareness of food justice and related systems analysis, and skill-building for greater personal agency and economic mobility. Check us out at www.foodwhat.org.
Position Overview
The Farm Education Manager leads in the design, planning, coordination, implementation and assessment of the farm components of our youth programming while connecting deeply with the young people in our program. This manager works in concert with the Culinary Manager and Youth Wellness Manager, with direction and support from the Land Steward and Co-Executive Director of Programs. Together, this team builds a safe and engaging learning environment for teens. The Farm Education Manager inspires program youth to develop their own unique relationships with the land and food while ensuring the farm meets overall production goals and deliverables.
This position demands an individual with a high level of programmatic functioning who is truly gifted in working with youth. You will be a partner, mentor, coach, and cheerleader to the youth, as well as a leader in our organization. You are someone with outstanding relationship-building skills who is personable, approachable, a great listener, and passionate about our mission. You are a deep believer in the power and potential of youth and willing to do everything in your power to support them in removing any barriers to their success and growth. You’re playful, comfortable being you, and willing to share your personal magic while creating safe space at FoodWhat. You are a detail-oriented problem-solver committed to high quality programming for teens.
The farm is one of our primary vehicles through which our high-impact programming takes place. In addition to direct programming, the Farm Education Manager partners with the Land Steward to ensure all aspects of the farm and surrounding landscape are maintained and thriving, while also being well integrated for programmatic use. This position works closely with the Land Steward on the planning, management, and implementation of all aspects of FoodWhat’s crop production on what is currently a 1-acre diversified farm operation including vegetables and flowers. The farm provides a key space where youth engage in job training and empowerment activities through organic farming, and produces approximately 7,000 pounds of fresh, nourishing produce.
Growth
FoodWhat is in an exciting moment of growth. In 2025 we will be looking for land for a permanent homebase. We are imagining 10-20 acres that would include wild land, cultivated farm land, a fruit orchard, open space, and a barn and other structures for programming and community use. We are looking for someone for this Farm Education Manager role who can grow in this position as our scope and scale increases substantially.
Responsibilities
Youth Farm Programming (60%)
● Design, organize and implement dynamic core farm programming for each season of programming
● Co-manage the day-to-day implementation of programming with other program managers
● Participate in/learn from Land Stewards’ assessment of farm to inform youth projects each week
● Gather materials/supplies for farm programming
● Prepare farm training curriculum and implement for Jr Staff
● Coordinate relationships with farm partners for programmatic goals
● Provide youth wellness support
● Provide youth transportation
Crop Production and Land Stewardship (30%)
● Partner with Land Steward on management of our diversified farm production system as well as
general ecological stewardship and maintenance of all surrounding land
● Participate in all aspects of crop production including: crop planning, propagation, irrigation, crop
cultivation, harvest and post-harvest handling, pest management, and distribution
● Maintaining a safe environment of all aspects of the farm
Farm and Program Admin (10%)
● Program data tracking and record keeping for reporting requirements
● Maintain and organize farm supplies used by youth and purchase tools/equipment as needed for
program activities
● FoodWhat vehicle care and maintenance support
Strongly Preferred
● At least 2 years experience in organic farming
● At least 2 years youth development or related experience with system-impacted youth
● Compassionate and creative approach to youth education
● Ability to connect with young people in appropriate, genuine, and supportive ways
● Ability to lead youth programming with patience, compassion, and authenticity
● Ability to co-create safe and welcoming space with youth
● Basic understanding of local agricultural and food systems
● Ability to handle multiple tasks/projects at once; strong organizational skills and attention to detail
● Solution-focused and resourceful
● Ability to work independently and in team setting, and in fast-paced, changing
environment
● Dependable with thorough follow-through
● Strong communication skills; ability to give and receive feedback
● Demonstrates high level of emotional intelligence and self-awareness
● Computer skills for data tracking and email communications
● Ability to meet physical demands of farm work
Preferred
● Connection to the communities FoodWhat serves
● Rooted in the Pajaro Valley region
● Understanding of, and commitment to, social justice with an analysis of systems of power, privilege
and oppression
● In-depth understanding, or ability to understand, the regional ag landscape as well as the politics of
ag in the region, the community, and in the lives of youth
● Excited about sharing passion for ag with teens
● Farm construction/mechanic/carpentry skills
● Spanish proficiency
Essential Job Functions
● Ability to lift 50 pounds
● Valid California Driver’s Liscence or ability to obtain one within 6 months of employment
Position Details
This is a 40-hour per week, full time position with paid vacation, sick time, and holidays.
Full medical, dental, and vision benefits provided. Salary range $70K-$78K annually, commensurate with experience.
Please reply to this posting with a single PDF document with the subject line “Farm Education Manager” with the following:
1. A cover letter that shares your interest in the position and your approach to working with youth. Include the date you are available to start.
2. A resume with at least two professional references.
FoodWhat is an anti-discrimination, pro-equity, equal opportunity organization. Women and Black, Indigenous, people of color (BIPOC) are strongly encouraged to apply. All applicants are considered for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
Applicants only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job poster.
