School Grown Farm Coordinator

School Grown Farm Coordinator

FoodShare is a food justice organization advocating for the right to food and working to challenge the systemic barriers that keep people from accessing food. We support community-led food initiatives and work alongside those most impacted by poverty and food insecurity including Black and Indigenous people people of colour people with disabilities and those living on a low income.

Overview:

The School Grown Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute Farm a Community Food Growing (CFG) project is a youth-centred urban-farming and food-justice program in Etobicoke Toronto. We create opportunities for youth to expand their knowledge base develop leadership skills and engage positively with one another their community and the environment. Since 2019 we have strived to improve access to healthy affordable produce while nurturing a new generation of green leaders.

The Farm Coordinator will coordinate and operate the farm including three acres of market garden and orchard community compost and a shelterbelt at a Toronto District School Board high school Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute (BCI). The position also involves supervising and training high school youth staff co-op students Canada Summer Jobs youth university interns and students working in the garden during class time and supporting educational opportunities for community members on the farm.

The Coordinator will execute seasonal crop plans together manage weekly produce distributions host volunteer sessions ensure overall site maintenance and support public programs on the farms. The Coordinator will also lead adult volunteers and supervise high school-aged farm apprentices in a variety of farm tasks. Emails data entry (planting logs harvest tallies volunteer numbers) and related office work will also be required weekly. The position is in collaboration with the School Grown Youth Engagement Coordinator

Employment in this role is conditional upon obtaining a clear Vulnerable Sector Check which is required prior to the start date. Additionally the successful applicant must obtain Food Handler Safety and Standard First Aid CPR certifications. FoodShare will cover the costs of these certifications.

1. Duties include (but are not limited to):

• Develop implement and coordinate production plans and systems:
• • Lead all aspects of crop production including soil management and field preparation greenhouse seeding and seedling management transplanting direct seeding weeding irrigation harvesting and post-harvest handling of produce.
• Manage the orchard shelterbelt and pollinator areas in accordance with the maintenance plan with the team on site.
• Liaise with community stakeholders and project partners to provide technical expertise and consultation and/or oversee the farm components such as irrigation plant stock storage units fences and compost.
• Improve site fertility and develop and implement plans to manage undesired plants (weeds) pests and diseases.
• Maintain all required supplies tools and small farm machinery in good working condition.
• Maintain attractive productive and ecologically friendly growing spaces. This includes organically controlling insects and weeds monitoring fertility and conducting formal field observations.
• Plan weekly harvests including setting up systems for youth staff volunteers and residents to participate and track yields.
• Coordinate distribution channels for ongoing produce sales including farmers markets Food Program staff school cafeterias and food justice initiatives.
• Oversee the maintenance of farm implements infrastructure tools and supplies and budget for repairs replacements and upgrades.

2. Manage and Animate On-site Community Compost:

• Manage a community composting program including installing three-cell compost bins training students to install and maintain the system and conducting community outreach to encourage use.

3. Supervise and Train Farm Youth Volunteers and Support Teachers:

• Train and supervise farm-based workdays for youth staff co-op students visiting classes and volunteers aligned with the farms production and marketing plans including regular check-ins for feedback and planning.
• Support the Youth Grown program initiative and provide mentorship to youth participating in entrepreneurial programs at the space.
• Coordinate the delivery of capacity-building training and knowledge exchange sessions for farmers (crop planning season extension soil health irrigation and other technical farm training).
• Coordinate standards development ensure site safety through best practices for tool and supply use and ensure on-site personnel and volunteers receive appropriate training.
• Facilitate farm team meetings and oversee the seasonal work plan and weekly and daily to-do lists.
• Serve as a resource for teachers as they plan the use of their curriculum-linked outdoor classrooms.

4. Administrative Tasks

• Collect data and write monthly reports on market garden production and activities.
• Track revenues and expenses associated with School Grown projects
• Safely operate and maintain machinery including the BCS tractor and trimmer
• Ensure all relevant documentation/records are maintained and kept in a secure location
• Support site visits from funders students teachers peer programs and others;
• Facilitate evaluation processes and support reporting to funders.
• Participate in FoodShare staff and team meetings all staff training and reporting requirements (such as timesheets) and handle other duties as assigned
• Complete the monthly safety and health inspection and ensure all tools and equipment are in good condition.

Required Qualifications Knowledge and Experience:

• 3 years of direct work experience with a market garden and diversified vegetable farm.
• 3 years of experience with administrative and financial activities associated with crop production including well-developed budgeting and variance reporting experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with youth and showing respect for youth culture knowledge and lived experiences.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing irrigation systems including PVC piping drip tape sprinklers and misters for fields and wash/pack areas.
• Demonstrated understanding and application of anti-oppression anti-racism and equity frameworks with a commitment to upholding these principles within the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully with people of different ages genders abilities cultural backgrounds and individuals who experience marginalization.
• Strong networking community engagement and partnership development skills.
• Exceptional ability to manage time prioritize tasks and work independently.
• Strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving conflict resolution and change management skills.
• Collaborative leader who fosters consensus and builds positive team dynamics.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to passionately convey FoodShares vision to diverse audiences.
• Familiar and proficient with G-Suite (Google Drive Sheets Docs Calendar Gmail) Microsoft Office Adobe Zoom Canva and computer applications

Requirements:

• Must be legally authorized to work in Canada
• This position is required to work from the Farm at Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute based at 500 the East Mall with some in-person meetings at the main FoodShare office at 120 Industry St. or other partner locations across Toronto as needed.
• Repetitive tasks such as bending crouching lifting and reaching.
• Full shifts standing and working on your feet.
• Use of hand tools and mechanized equipment.
• Regularly lifting over 40 lbs.
• Working outdoors in all kinds of weather (heat sun rain cold).
• Fully graduated G drivers license.
• • Access to a vehicle is an asset for this role. If you do not have your own vehicle you may use a FoodShare vehicle if you meet the following criteria:
  • • A valid Ontario G License a minimum of 3 years of insured experience with no major driving infractions in the last 7 years. A Drivers Abstract may be required.

Total Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary: $56000/ Annually (37.5 hours per week)*
• Contract Type: Full-Time Indefinite. This position is seasonal in nature and is expected to run from approximately March 2026 - Dec 2026 depending on crop cycles weather conditions and operational needs. As a result this role includes a planned layoff during the off-season. We aim to communicate precise timelines as early as possible so employees can plan accordingly.

• Vacation: 4 weeks paid vacation per year prorated based on start date
• FoodShare Health Benefit Reimbursement of up to $1500 per calendar year prorated based on start date.

Additional Leave:

• Personal Leave Days: 10 paid personal leave days per year prorated based on start date
• Wellness Days: 20 paid wellness days/sick leave per year prorated based on start date

*Note: As part of FoodShares commitment to equity salaries and benefits are non-negotiable

Additional Information:

Reports to: Community Food Growing Senior Manager

Supervises: Miziwe Biik job training staff Seasonal Youth hired through Canada Summer Jobs and Focus on Youth students Co-op Students and Interns.

Location: BCI Farm operation at 500 the East Mall with some in-person meetings at 120 Industry St. or other partner locations across Toronto as needed.

TO APPLY: Please submit your resume and cover letter by 5:00pm on Friday February 6 2026.

Selection Process:

• FoodShares recruitment process involves the anonymization of all resumes prior to their being screened by the hiring committee. This step removes applicant personal details (names email addresses) educational & employment institutions years of work experience and personal interests to reduce potential for bias. Please make sure to detail your experience in your resume/cover letter to ensure the committee has the information they need to assess your qualifications for the role. This process takes at least 3 weeks from the application deadline.
• The hiring committee will review anonymized versions of the applications that pass the initial screening and decide which to invite to interview. This process usually takes about 1 week.
• The hiring committee will conduct first round interviews with selected candidates. Candidates will be sent the interview questions 48 hours in advance of their scheduled interview. Candidates are welcome but not expected or required to send any questions they have for the hiring committee in advance of the interview. These usually occur about 4 weeks after the application deadline.
• In recognition of the time and labour of preparing for and attending an interview FoodShare financially compensates interviewees at a fixed rate of $75 per interview.
• HR will conduct reference checks for the candidate they intend to extend an offer to. This process usually takes about 1 week.
• HR will send the selected candidate an Employment Agreement which the candidate will have at least 3 business days to review and return.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team! FoodShare is a food justice organization. This means that we are committed to working to identify and dismantle systemic forms of oppression that cause and perpetuate food security inequities.

Racialized people and others from equity-seeking groups are over-represented in food insecurity and poverty statistics but are significantly under-represented in community based food organizations. We believe that those most affected by an issue must have access to paid positions in organizations tasked with challenging poverty and food insecurity. FoodShare strives to create a workspace that reflects the diversity of identities and lived experiences that exist within the communities we work alongside. If you see yourself reflected in 80% of the requirements for this role please consider applying.

If you require accommodation when navigating the application process please contact:

Required Experience:

IC