Assistant Farm Manager

Company description

Ekar Farm and Community Gardens is a communal urban farm, inspired by Jewish values. We work to build community, provide experiential and environmental education, and grow sustainably produced fruits and vegetables, expanding access to those in need.

Now in its 15th season, Ekar serves as a focal point for Denver’s Jewish community to come together around issues of food security, environmentalism, and urban farming. Each year, Ekar commits to growing 20,000 pounds of produce for food access partners including Jewish Family Services’ Weinberg Food Pantry, Metro Caring, Kavod Senior Life, Hope Communities’, preschools throughout the Denver area, SAME Cafe, Spirit of the Sun, and a WIC immigrant CSA program.

We’ve brought together thousands of people—young and old, Jewish and non‑Jewish—to cultivate a better food system. Through garden‑based programming, celebrating Shabbat and other holidays, and acting in solidarity against systems of oppression that impact our environmental and social wellbeing, we’ve created a meeting place for people to come together outdoors and connect, grow, nourish, and repair the land and our human ties to one another.

In 2025 Ekar moved to a beautiful 2.86 acre site at Shalom Park in Aurora. The move represents an exciting opportunity to expand into a vibrant new Jewish community while deepening relationships and fostering shared values. Partnering with Shalom Park will allow us to offer inter‑generational programming that brings together youth, families, and elders in meaningful engagement with agriculture, sustainability, and Jewish traditions.

The ideal Assistant Farm Manager (AFM) candidate is an experienced individual with production farming skills (organic and regenerative/restorative practices), a strong ability to learn quickly, effective communication skills, and a demonstrated commitment to racial, economic, food, and environmental justice.

The AFM supports the Farm Manager (FM) in implementing FM’s plan and vision for the farm, serves as an extra set of eyes and hands around the farm to ensure a successful workday, and will be trained in all aspects of farm management: crop planning, seeding, transplanting, soil health, cultivation, irrigation, integrated pest management, harvest and post‑harvest. After initial training, the AFM may manage some of these areas independently and coordinate volunteer groups and drop‑in volunteers on Sundays to ensure FM’s plan is adhered to.

This is a full‑time hourly position, contracted for the growing season from March 24th, 2026 through November 15th, 2026. The AFM is expected to be able to work up to 6 days a week on the farm, including weekends, for a total of 40 hours a week. Typical hours are from 6 or 7 am to 1 or 2 pm, but may vary based on weather.

Occasional overtime may be required. The role requires patience, perseverance, organization, and efficient, kind communication with all staff and volunteers.

Physical demands include full range of upper and lower body mobility, reaching overhead, working in various positions, lifting up to 50 pounds, and maintaining stamina for 2.5 hours without a break.

• Support the FM and Executive Director’s plan and vision for the farm, serving as an extra set of eyes to ensure a successful workday.
• Work with Community Farmers to ensure FM’s training protocols are understood and implemented.
• Manage volunteers by communicating instructions, facilitating volunteer training and daily sign‑ins, giving feedback, pace‑setting, and ensuring a welcoming, inclusive environment for all volunteers and crop crew.
• After initial training, take independent responsibility of some areas of farm management and/or manage farm crew or volunteers on days when FM is off site.
• Occasionally represent Ekar at local schools and organizations to discuss our mission and educate people about the food system.

• Ability to understand and implement directions from FM and Executive Director (ED).
• 1+ years of experience with organic gardening/farming using sustainable agricultural practices.
• Interest in regenerative farming, local food…