Employment opportunities in Alabama food (as of August 19, 2016):
Bois D’Arc Farm (Marion, Perry County):
Gardener/Horticulturist position for large certified organic farm (5,300+ acres), located near Greensboro about an hour south of Tuscaloosa, in a beautiful area of Alabama long famous for its soils. The farm is expanding its horticultural and gardening activities to experiment with potential new crops, expand seed supply of potential rare heritage crops, and demonstrate production protocols.
Requirements/responsibilities include:
* A good field/greenhouse technician responsible for all day-to-day operations
* Interested in specialty and heritage crop management
* Work in the field, use equipment of various kinds, interact with farm staff
* Keep important records including maintenance of organic requirements
* Work directly with Scott Peacock, one of the most famous Southern chefs
Salary based on experience. All levels of experience will be considered. Housing included. For more information, please contact Jody Banks at 540-984-3829 or [email protected]
Permala (Montgomery):
Opportunity in Montgomery for someone who wants to increase their self reliance by living with a foot off the grid, growing high-quality food, and cultivating relationships with their neighbors. Ideal for people interested in permaculture who want access to some land, tools, and resources, but also want to live close to town.
The gig requires assisting owner Scott Church with housing properties (meet incoming guests, repairs, cleaning) and maintaining and improving the 1.3 acres of garden and food forest. In exchange, you get a weekly stipend to cover spending money, housing, utilities, internet, use of land and greenhouse, and lots of free-range, pastured chicken eggs. For more information and to apply, email [email protected]. More information here.
Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve (Birmingham):
Ruffner is hiring a Conservation Technician to help clean up and maintain the Preserve – planting native species, pulling weeds, trimming trees, clearing limbs, etc. More information and a full job description is available here.
Food Bank of North Alabama:
The Food Bank of North Alabama (based in Huntsville) is hiring a Local Food Coordinator, who “will contribute to the operation of North Alabama’s first local food hub called the Farm Food Collaborative and perform outreach to local farmers and local buyers – with a special focus on farm-to-school outreach. […] The Local Food Coordinator will assist with (a) developing and maintaining positive, long-term relationships among the Collaborative’s membership, (b) building the capacity of local farmers to meet buyer requirements, and (c) facilitating sales of local food to local buyers with a special emphasis on public schools and farm-to-school outreach.” More information here.
