Subject: Organic Farmer Wanted

From: [email-masked] (Michelle Thom)
Date: 13 Dec 1994 23:12:21 -0000

WANTED:  ORGANIC FARMER

Title:  Organic Farm Manager, Prairie Crossing Community Supported 
Garden, Grayslake, Illinois.

Background:

Prairie Crossing is a new residential community under construction in 
Grayslake, Illinois, forty-five miles northwest of Chicago.

This 667-acre community will combine residential development with 
agriculture and conservation of natural lands. A total of 317 single-family 
houses will be constructed; 60% of the site will remain protected open land 
in restored prairies, wetlands, lakes and a working farm of over 100 acres.  
The farm currently uses about 5 acres to grow vegetables for about 115 
Community Supported Garden members.

Prairie Crossing is within the Liberty Prairie Reserve, a 2,500-acre open 
space reserve. Prairie Crossing residents will be able to hike, bike or ride 
through the Reserve on a public regional trail and participate in various 
educational and volunteer stewardship programs there.

The Farm manager will report to the Environmental Director of Prairie 
Crossing.

Responsibilities:

The Farm Manager will be responsible for operating a self supporting 
Community Supported Garden at Prairie Crossing and helping to develop a 
diversified sustainable farming enterprise. He or she will work in the 
garden to develop healthy organic soil and high quality food. The manager 
will expand and diversify crops grown and develop other marketing 
strategies in cooperation with the Prairie Crossing Environmental Director. 
Possibilities include an orchard, a pumpkin patch, heirloom varieties, pick-
your-own fruits, berries or flowers, a produce stand, and farmer's markets.

Specific responsibilities include:

*Develop plans for growing the crops and contribute significant labor in the 
garden implementing plans. Expected to work daily in the garden.

*Prepare marketing literature (handbook) and recruit members.

*Hire and teach interns and direct all farm labor.

*Write newsletters to educate members about their produce, farming 
practices and activities.

*Research and experiment with new techniques and plant varieties 
suitable to local soil conditions and markets.

*Develop observation skills and become intimate with the farm's flora and 
fauna. 

*Assist in long-term planning for expansion of farm enterprises. 

*Maintain farm equipment and buildings and augment as necessary.

*Assist with security of overall community. Qualifications:

*Several years of experience with organic vegetable and fruit growing. 

*Experience working with farm labor.

*Experience with financial management, budgeting and planning farm 
operations. 

*Success with marketing produce and/or community supported farming. 

*Ability to observe garden activities and conditions and keep detailed 
records. 

*Ability to build community among workers and members.

*Strong communication skills, especially writing and interacting with a 
diversity of people.

*Computer skills including word processing, database management, and 
spreadsheet applications or willingness to learn.

*Capacity to handle a wide variety of activities.

*Demonstrated interest and belief in the environmental principles on 
which the Prairie Crossing community is being built.

*Entrepreneurial skills. Must enjoy working to build a community. Other 
requirements:

The farm manager must reside on the Prairie Crossing Farm. On-site 
housing is available. Salary:  low to mid-twenties plus profit sharing 
opportunities.

Benefits:

Housing subsidy, comprehensive medical, dental and life insurance, 401 (k) 
plan.

Other features:

Grayslake, in Lake County, Illinois, is a village with a population of about 
9000 in a rapidly growing area on the metropolitan fringe of Chicago. 
Commuter rail to Chicago is available in both Grayslake and nearby 
Libertyville.

As the Prairie Crossing community develops, additional positions are 
expected. One or more of these opportunities may be of interest to a 
candidate's spouse. A husband-and-wife team, both qualified to participate 
in the development of Prairie Crossing, would be ideal.

Prairie Crossing is served by the Woodland and Fremont Grade Schools and 
the Grayslake Community High School. The College of Lake County (a two-
year community college) is a five-minute drive from Prairie Crossing.  Lake 
Forest College and the University of Wisconsin at Parkside are within a half 
hour's drive. The Michael Fields Agricultural Institute is about one hour 
north and offers many organic/biodynamic conferences and activities.

To apply:

Send inquiries or resumes to:

Victoria Ranney, Vice-president
Prairie Holdings Corporation
18202 W. Casey Road
Grayslake, IL 60030
(708) 549-8996
FAX (708)549-0742

17 November, 1994