Land Steward

Title: Food Forest Steward

Location: Takoma Park, Maryland

Classification: Independent Contractor

Commitment: 8 hours per week from March 1 to November 30

Salary/rate: $35.00 per hour

Report to: CFFC board member

Job summary: The purpose of this position is to coordinate the stewardship of CFFC food forest sites in partnership with CFFC members and volunteers. The steward will regularly visit and assess needs at each of the sites, carrying out any necessary tasks when possible. The coordinator will be responsible for reporting needs to CFFC’s board and, in partnership with CFFC members, determining how best to carry out those tasks. This will involve the steward carrying out tasks on their own and as part of a larger team of volunteers organized by CFFC.

About the organization: The Community Food Forest Collective (CFFC) is a non profit established in 2024 to design, install and maintain community food forests while sharing the knowledge and skills needed to increase people’s understanding of food forestry, regenerative land stewardship, and ecologically-sound food systems. CFFC’s mission is to birth a new culture that returns nature to the heart of our society while producing food in ways that restore the land, tackle the planetary crisis, and enhance human stewardship of Earth and our fellow creatures. CFFC currently operates three separate food forest sites: two at Montgomery College Takoma Park/Silver Spring campus and one at Takoma Park Elementary School. These sites are at different stages of development.

Specific duties and responsibilities:

  • Assess and report needs at CFFC food forest sites

  • Regularly visit each site to assess the stewardship needs at each

  • Report needs to a designated board member after each site visit, and regularly update this board member about stewardship needs throughout the growing season.

  • Determine the best course of action for each task, in discussion with the CFFC board member.

  • Carry out maintenance work at CFFC food forest sites

  • Carry out regular stewardship work at CFFC sites, using and updating CFFC’s task planner to guide the work.

  • Carry out and lead stewardship work during volunteer work days, when needed

Tasks will include but are not limited to:

  • Watering and maintenance of irrigation systems

  • Managing weeds

  • Pruning trees and shrubs

  • Mulching plants

  • Maintaining fencing and paths

  • Propagating plants

  • Harvesting food

  • Collecting seeds

  • Planting

  • Regularly update the board on work carried out.

Necessary skills and qualifications:

  • Reliability, flexibility and adaptability

  • Ability to follow directions, take initiative, and ask questions

  • Positive attitude

  • Ability to work well both independently and harmoniously in group settings

  • Must be able to lift 40 pounds and perform strenuous physical tasks

  • Good understanding of food forests, regenerative agriculture, urban agriculture, or community gardening

  • Good knowledge of native plants and ecology.

  • Strong knowledge of edible trees, shrubs and other plants.

Working hours and benefits:

  • Flexible work hours

  • Part of a collaborative and inclusive team

  • Access to fresh produce grown at our sites

  • Guaranteed place at all CFFC educational workshops and events

To apply:

  • Please send an email of interest to info@foodforestcollective.org, outlining your experience with food forests and/or growing food.

  • Please also provide two or three relevant references.

  • Please also attach your resume and a link to your LinkedIn profile, if you have one

  • We will begin interviewing on February 20 and the role will remain open until it is filled.