The role:
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Borde Hill team as Senior Grower to manage this new Market Garden. Now in its third year of production, we are looking for a passionate grower to work on establishing our productive fruit and vegetable crop to supply both wholesalers and our new field to fork restaurant which is opening later this year.
You will work closely with the Senior Walled Kitchen Gardener, whose focus is to oversee the implementation of our reimagined 1 acre Victorian Walled Garden, redesigned by award winning Garden Designer, Anne-Marie Powell. You will also have a symbiotic relationship with Chef, Founder of the restaurant, Chantelle Nicholson, bringing our new food vision to life, which champions field to fork, seasonal and honest produce, showcasing the very best of biodynamic farming.
It is therefore key that you have excellent communication and collaborative working skills, as well as the knowledge of growing produce on a large scale, effectively planning crop selection, cultivation, time of sowing and harvesting, and that you have an enthusiasm for biodynamic growing principles.
Your immediate priority will be the implementation of the annual cropping plan and overseeing the installation of a new polytunnel, supported by our part time Grower and Volunteers.
Both the Walled Kitchen Garden and Market Garden are in their infancy, and the Senior Grower and Senior Walled Kitchen Gardener will be key anchors in delivering Borde Hill’s new vision of field to fork dining, joining the Estate at a hugely exciting time.
Your main duties will include:
• Oversee a small team including volunteers and students, supported by the Head Gardener
• Collaborate with the Senior Walled Kitchen Gardener to follow a cropping plan and sowing/planting schedule, to ensure produce is varied and sustained throughout the year.
• Work within the standards of Demeter and attend annual inspections, preparing all of the paperwork and keeping records of BD spraying activities.
• Communicate and plan ahead with the Chef and Senior Walled Kitchen Gardener on crops to be grown as well as determining supply and demand.
• Contribute to Borde Hill’s wider work as a member of the Garden Team, actively participating in scheduled and ad hoc departmental meetings with the Head Gardener, General Manager and the Managing Director.
• Delegated authority for annual budgets for the Farm working with the Head Gardener and Finance Team.
• The variable and dynamic nature of this role requires a flexible approach to working out of regular hours as required.
Salary: 28,500 – 30,000, dependent on experience
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (potential to job share)
Holiday entitlement: 32 days pro rata (including Bank Holidays)
To apply: email your CV & covering letter to: [email protected]
If you are in employment, please include your current notice period.
Closing date: 21st February 2025
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