Who we are

St Werburghs City Farm connects people through land, nature and food. Each year, we engage 60,000 people in spaces and services that build resilience, reduce isolation and strengthen community. Our activities include accredited gardening placements for adults with learning disabilities, animal husbandry courses for inner-city children, woodland mindfulness for adults experiencing poor mental health and conservation courses for people looking to develop new skills and connections. We pride ourselves on supporting people, from all walks of life, to learn, grow and thrive.  We are a community-focused employer that values all forms of diversity.

What you will love about working here

• Working in a supportive environment which values your diversity and talent
• Access to training opportunities and reflective practice
• Being part of a team that strives for greater inclusion and equity
• Flexibility for those with families and other commitments
• Generous annual leave entitlement – 25 days and bank holiday pro rata
• Participation in the NEST pension scheme
• Access to the cycle-to-work scheme

Overview of Project

Propagation Place is St Werburghs City Farm’s online Community Business. A small team of staff and local volunteers grow and dispatch over 2000 orders of vegetable plug plants, amounting to over 100,000 individual plants, both locally and nationwide each year. All profits from sales are used to fund the work that we do in the community through year-round volunteering and educational programs.

About the role

This is an essential horticultural role within the Propagation Place team. You will be responsible for the sowing, growing, and health of our vegetable plug seedlings, and for the maintenance of the polytunnel and nursery area. You will need to keep detailed records of plant stocks, disease prevention and IPM, and oversee on-site sales. 

You will be overseeing the organic sowing and growing programme for our community garden and helping to facilitate volunteer sessions. Part of your role will be to ensure that the garden is as productive as possible and is also maintained to a high standard to ensure that our horticultural education programmes can be effectively delivered.

You will also be involved in the packing and postal delivery of our online plug plant sales, working with a small team of seasonal workers and alongside managers to fulfill our customer orders on time.

Your horticultural knowledge and experience will be invaluable at St Werburghs City Farm and you will have the opportunity to advise and deliver practical on-site support to members of the public, volunteers, apprentices, allotment holders, and other staff.

Your skillset

• RHS Level 2 Horticulture or equivalent qualification/ demonstrable knowledge 
• Confident understanding of good gardening practise and organic principles 

• Experience of vegetable growing 
• At least 2 years' experience of working in or managing a plant nursery 
• Interest in working with people who may be experiencing disadvantage  
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills 
• Excellent organisation and record-keeping, 

• Interest in working outside in all weathers 
• Ability to self-manage and to work under pressure