Garden Educator - Summer

Title:            Garden Educator (Summer)

Reports To:   Troy Kids’ Garden Manager and Urban Agriculture Education Director - Madison North

Location: Troy Gardens at 502 Troy Drive, Madison WI 53704  and Madison School Farm at 5017   Sudbury Way, Madison WI 53714

Position Type:  32 hrs/week;  LTE Non-Exempt

Salary:    $15/hour

Benefits: Garden educators receive a $50 gear stipend

Dates:    June 2, 2025 - Aug 10, 2025

About Rooted

We are committed to collaborations rooted in food, land, and learning so that people can grow and thrive in healthy, equitable, and sustainable neighborhoods. Ours is a firm commitment to building racial equity and inclusion and dismantling racism in our communities, in our education and food systems, and within our organization. This is a path of lifelong learning and commitment to action.

About the Position

Garden Educators will work at both the Troy Kids’ Garden and Madison School Farm. Both programs serve youth ages 3 through 18 with outdoor, garden-based learning. At each site, educators lead small groups of youth in gardening, cooking, animal care, outdoor art, and other hands-on activities. Garden Educators can expect to gain experience developing and implementing garden-based curricula and activities while developing a working knowledge of vegetable gardening and small-scale farm management.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Assisting in fieldwork to maintain urban agricultural sites, including planting, weeding, mulching, trellising, bed-prep, composting, cover cropping, harvesting, and post-harvest handling.


• Leading groups of youth in garden-based activities, both independently and as part of a teaching team.


• Involvement in all preparatory work for our educational programs, including activity set-up and clean-up, developing educational materials, and program debriefs.


• Arriving on time and being ready to work for every shift.


• Occasionally directing groups of adult volunteers.


• Participating in preparing garden areas for student activities, including additional weeding, mulching, and bed preparation, among other duties.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to interact in a professional, courteous, and confidential manner with others in a variety of circumstances.


• Experience working with diverse groups of people in community settings with cultural competence.


• Ability to communicate effectively, including the ability to listen and solve problems.


• Flexibility and willingness to grow in response to needs or changes in the field.


• Ability to work on projects independently or as part of a group.


• Demonstrated ability to follow through on commitments, responsibilities, and tasks.


• Ability to lift, kneel, and do physical work.


• Ability to commit to and promote Rooted’s mission, goals, and priorities.


• Prior experience with gardening or agriculture is desirable.


• Prior experience working with youth is desirable but not required.

Additional Information and Requirements

• Have reliable transportation to and from your site. Troy Kids Garden is located on the bus line B, Madison School Farm is located near bus lines C and D.


• Ability to pass a standard background check.


• May have to work in inclement weather or may be asked to adjust their work hours to accommodate the weather.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Rooted is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. We strongly encourage applications from diverse applicants of all ages. Rooted is committed to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. 

Academic Credit
Garden Educators may be eligible for academic credit. Please negotiate the terms of any academic credit directly with a faculty sponsor, and discuss with your Rooted program manager prior to starting the season.

Review of applications will begin March 10, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.