We’re Hiring! Garden Manager! Chelenzo Farms

Last Updated On: julio 25th, 2023 at 08:46AM MST

Contact information

Farm Address:
36 Horny Toad Road
Hacienda Dominguez
Cerrillos, New Mexico, 87010

Primary Contact: Lorenzo Dominguez
Secondary Contact: Nina Listro

Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 6463206553
    Email: lorenzo@chelenzofarms.com

Secondary Phone
    Type: -----
    Number: 5082218900
    Email: nina@chelenzofarms.com

    Email: nina@chelenzofarms.com

Website: https://www.chelenzofarms.com

Website: https://www.haciendadominguez.com

Internship information

General Farm Description: ABOUT CHELENZO FARMS At Chelenzo Farms we have three operating pillars: research, education, and community. Our efforts focus on promoting regenerative agriculture by applying permaculture, soil health, agroecology and agroforestry principles, as well as innovative and indigenous practices to achieve our goals. Our organic research farm serves to educate the community and offer training in the areas of permaculture farming, land conservation, indigenous agricultural and sustainability practices, and the realm of sciences that look to understand the relationship (past, current and future) that humans have with nature and the land. We also aspire to contribute to knowledge about agricultural practices and drought-resistant crop cultivation that will contribute to improved soil health in an arid environment, amidst a 23-year megadrought in the U.S. Southwest. Our unique contribution in this area includes our pioneering efforts to introduce and cultivate agave and other succulents to northern New Mexico. Educational opportunities are offered through our workshops that are open to the public and promoted with our work with multiple partners, as well as our work with local schools, as well as via our hosting of farm interns through the Worldwide Opportunities in Organic Farming (WWOOF) program. Our community work focuses on resolving food insecurity issues, assisting underserved farmers, particularly Mexican, indigenous and other immigrant farm workers through programs and partnerships that teach them regenerative agriculture, as well as increase awareness among the general public about their historical, cultural and social contributions here in New Mexico. For more information check out our website at www.chelenzofarms.com

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: ASAP, August 1, 2023 or anytime thereafter
Internship Ends: TBD (prefer at minimum until May 31, 2024)
Number of Internship Available: 1
Application Deadline: NA
Minimum Length of Stay: Until May 31, 2024

Internship Details:

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
-Maintain garden beds at our 1000 square foot garden space and 33’ Grow Dome Greenhouse.
– Project management, implementation and maintenance of a one-acre permaculture food forest made of native plants, agave and other succulents and a pond funded by the 2023 Western SARE grant.
– Maintenance and weekly watering of agave and succulents plantings funded by the NMDA Healthy Soil Program.
– Co-management of our CSA (farmshare), goat milk herd share and farmers market offerings.
– Planting vegetables, cover crops and trees trees; seed saving; and weeding
– Maintenance of water harvesting earthworks throughout the property.
– Land conservation work including building terraces, berms, rainwater distribution/catchment infrastructure.

OTHER DUTIES
The following duties are common to all farm team staff and depending on time and capacity the garden manager may be asked to assist with:
– Care of animals (chickens, goats): feeding, water, bedding changes
– Irrigation set-up and maintenance.
– Help with basic construction projects
– Installation and maintenance of irrigation systems
– Occasional maintenance at casita (pool, hot tub, weeding)
– Help with the continual building of rainwater harvesting earthworks throughout the property
– Trail and fence creation and maintenance.
– Assistance planning, setting up, and facilitating education workshops
– Must be able to lift at least 40lbs at a time
– Must be able to conduct hard manual labor for at least 2 hours at a time
– Although not necessary, having your own vehicle is recommended, as the farm is located in a remote region 30 minutes from town.

WORK TERMS & COMPENSATION
– Room and board will be provided onsite with a private room with access to a shared kitchen/bathroom (compost toilet), as well as provide food for a meal a day.
– $12 an hour. Please note that for the first 11 months, until May 31, 2024, the position will be supported by financial assistance from the New Mexico Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Workforce Program, whereby the employee is considered a “farm intern” with express interest in an agricultural career.
– 10% of all market garden sales
– 40 hours per week
– A two week trial period will be implemented to help us ensure it’s a good fit.

If interested, please reach out to Lorenzo at lorenzo@chelenzofarms.com with a brief introduction to yourself, why you’re interested in the position, and your resume. Looking forward to hearing from you!

To download a PDF version of this job posting, visit our website: https://www.chelenzo.com/la-granja-our-farm/2023-07-21-chelenzo-farms-is-hiring-a-garden-manager

Educational Opportunities: We are constantly learning here at Chelenzo Farms, trying new methods and working with a large network of partners to host workshops.

Skills Desired: See above

Meals: Yes. See above.

Stipend: See above

Housing: Yes. See above.

Preferred method of Contact: text or email