Do you have what it takes to run a small hi-tec urban farm as a professional farmer growing high value crops and selling them direct to niche markets and through a veggie box system?

We’re looking for a super motivated and entrepreneurial urban farmer to run our Aquaponic Food Hub system as part of our Food Hubs urban farming research project. This is a contract position – we are looking for a farmer who will run our established system (produces 400-700 vegetable units/week), keeping the profit in exchange for pushing the system’s productive potential and helping us document what yields are possible. The position is supported with training and mentorship.

A: Background to CERES

CERES (Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies) is an award‐winning, not-for‐profit, environment park and urban farm located by the Merri Creek in East Brunswick, Melbourne. Once a landfill site and wasteland, today CERES is a thriving, vibrant community. With over 400,000 visitors a year, CERES is the most visited environmental centre in Australia.

CERES includes: local and community projects (community gardens and site groups); community

food system (propagation, market gardens, aquaponics, community kitchen and catering);not‐for‐profit enterprises (market, shop, café, restaurant, food delivery and nursery); educational programs (environmental and cultural, both on site and in schools); accredited training and work experience programs; workshops and courses for adults and children; festivals and functions (Kingfisher Festival, Harvest Festival and more); and an active volunteer program.

CERES programs and staff are organised into four main areas: Education and Training, Farm and Food, Retail and Site. These areas are overseen by four Group Managers. Area Managers support the day-to‐day running and management of areas within the teams, and are supervised by these Group Managers. The Group Managers report to the CEO, who is ultimately accountable to the CERES Board of Management.

B: Background to CERES Aquaponics

As part of the CERES Food Hubs research project (www.ceres.org.au/greentech/aquaponics) we're pushing the limits of urban food production with our prototype small commercial aquaponics system (75m2 of growing area) which supplies produce to CERES Fair Food and the CERES Market. We are now researching the viability of establishing a Melbourne network of 'Food Hubs' in communities such as school. Food Hubs are small scale farms based upon aquaponics and other intensive vegetable production systems.

The CERES Aquaponics system is one of only a few commercial examples in Australia, it is self sufficient in water (using only rain water caught on its roof) and energy (Solar PV).Our objective is to help kick-start commercial urban agriculture by proving an easily replicable model which can be run in an urban context. Using less than 5% of the water required by regular farming and producing significantly more produce per square meter, these systems could have significant implications for food security in both developed and developing countries

C. Aim of this Position

CERES is currently working to maximise the yield from the aquaponics system and map out seasonal growth cycles and system labour and to better understand our markets for the produce. This information will enable CERES to better understand the practical productive potential for small commercial aquaponics systems and to develop the business model for the Food Hub research project.

This position is an important part of the CERES Farm Community Food System. It aims:

• To work within the CERES vision and strategic planning objectives

• To manage the CERES Aquaponics system in all facets of operations

• To actively develop and pursue new initiatives relevant to the CERES aquaponics and to CERES in accordance to CERES’ vision.

• To achieve or better the projected yield targets..

This position is responsible for the growing, wholesale supply and system maintenance of the CERES Aquaponics system in coordination with the Food Hubs team.

The key areas of focus are to manage the Aquaponics System to ensure the smooth running of the enterprise on a daily basis, and to ensure the ongoing financial viability of the enterprise.

This position reports to the CERES Farm Manager, CERES Food Hubs project manager and the CERES CEO and is ultimately accountable to the CERES Board. Staff Reviews and Area Reviews are held annually.

D. Duties and Responsibilities

1. Be responsible for the daily management of the Aquaponics System

• Maintain the health of the system including feeding the fish daily.

• Maintain the health and growth of the fish.

• Keep accurate and detailed records as required by CERES

• Propagate, grow and harvest a range of edible plants

• Work with CERES Market, CERES Fair Food and other CERES enterprises as required to coordinate supply of produce.

• Seek out and maintain purchasing relationships with external businesses

• Source appropriate equipment, produce and materials for all production and maintenance needs.

• Manage and collaborate with volunteers to manage the system.

2. Maintain and Develop the CERES Aquaponics system

• Ensure the aquaponics system reaches its capacity for production (fish and plants)

• Work with CERES Food Hubs to use the CERES aquaponics system as a model for a network of Food Hubs

• Organise produce sales internal to CERES

• System maintenance (general handy-person work)

• Seek out new markets for the produce external to CERES

• Review program structure and partnerships annually

3. Ensure the profitability of the Aquaponics enterprise in accordance with or exceeding agreed budget expectations

• Manage the financial costing of the enterprise in consultation with the Farm Manager

• Maintain financial records including produce sales and internal transfers between different budget areas

• Invoicing and cash management

• Manage the CERES Aquaponics budget and financial accountability in consultation with the Farm Manager, the CERES CEO and the CERES accountant.

4. Collaborate with Farm, Training and Enterprise Teams

• Support and collaborate with all members of the CERES Food and Farm Team and CERES Training Team

• Support and collaborate with CERES Training Co-coordinator on training opportunities

• Support and collaborate with CERES Market Manager and CERES Fair Food on produce supply

• Support and collaborate with CERES Site Team on the maintenance of the system.

• Support and collaborate with the CERES Farm Manager on strategic development, financial management and intersecting projects

• Attend occasional staff meetings as required

E: Hours of Work, Salary and Conditions

This is a contract based position where the successful applicant will be self paid from produce grown. This is a one year contract and the successful applicant will be required to have an ABN and income generated will be based upon the quality and quantity of what is grown and the markets found to sell to.

The offer for the successful candidate is:

• An established high-tec growing system
• A ready market (CERES Fair Food and CERES Market)
• Training and mentoring

What CERES needs:

• A highly motivated person who can drive the system to produce its highest possible productive yield
• A year of accurate growing records
• A small % of income generated to cover system rental (to be negotiated)

We anticipate that when running well, the system can generate enough income to pay an equivalent hourly rate of up to $30 for up to 24 hours per week.

The system requires daily attention to keep the water quality at optimum levels, and the fish need to be fed twice a day. Volunteers will be engaged to assist with the daily tasks, but this position will best suit someone who lives locally.

Initially while the system is brought up to productive capacity over the first weeks this position will equate to only 5 – 10 hours per week.

This position is subject to a probationary period of three months.

F: Key Performance Indicators

• Ability to consistently produce top quality produce

• Ability to seek out and supply produce to markets external to CERES

• Maintain the biological health of the system

• Work with CERES enterprises to supply produce as required

• Run a profitable aquaponics system, meeting or exceeding budget targets.

G: Key Selection Criteria

• Fish keeping skills and experience preferable

• Water chemistry knowledge and experience

• Horticultural knowledge and experience

• Small business or enterprise management experience

• Experience managing or working in a commercial farm

• Passion for experimenting with vegetable growing methods

• Understanding of and enthusiasm for urban farming

Please email Stephen ([email protected]) with any questions you have regarding the position.