Mendota Elementary Gardener-in-Residence

Rooted is seeking an experienced educator and grower to serve as Gardener-in-Residence (GiR) at Mendota Elementary School in Madison, Wisconsin for the 2025-2026 school year.

About Rooted

Rooted, formed in 2020, grows a community-led, sustainable food system through urban agriculture education, food production, and land access so that people can grow and thrive in healthy, equitable, and sustainable neighborhoods. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Rooted connects communities across the north and south sides through its three core sites—Troy Farm, the Madison School Farm, and the Badger Rock Neighborhood Center & Urban Farm—as well as a network of community and school gardens.

General Statement of Duties and Responsibilities

The Gardener-in-Residence (GiR) manages and maintains the school garden in collaboration with the school. Following best practices in the field of garden-based education, the Gardener-in-Residence develops and implements engaging gardening, cooking, and arts activities for diverse populations of Madison area students. The GiR collaborates with school administration, staff, students and families to ensure the school garden serves as a thriving teaching resource to the school community.

Schedule

• Rooted training: August 26-28, 2025, 10 hours of training 


• Mendota Elementary: 
  
  
  
  • September 2025 - June 10, 2026 - weekly for 10 hours/ week (8 hours teaching/ garden maintenance + 2 hours planning/ prep). Schedule will follow MMSD school calendar
  
  
  • June 10, 2026- August 29, 2026- 10 weeks during summer break, weekly for 2 hours/ week- garden maintenance
  
  
  
  


• Days/ times to be determined with school staff
  
  

Compensation

• $20/ hour, part-time LTE
  
  

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Builds relationships and coordinates with teachers, school staff and volunteers.


• Develops engaging gardening, cooking, and arts activities, following best practices in the field of garden-based education.


• Leads hands-on garden experiences with students.


• Collaborates with school staff to ensure garden lessons support the school community.


• Performs hands-on garden work to maintain the school garden, if desired by school.


• Coordinates volunteers (parents, students, community members) to support garden activities.


• Communicates regularly with Rooted Farm to School Director based on a mutually agreed upon schedule.


• Responsible for communicating with school staff to establish a schedule for garden lessons and responding to emails within 48 hours to ensure program efficiency and clear communication with school staff. 


• Other tasks as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• At least two years experience working with elementary-aged children in educational and/or recreational settings is preferred. 


• At least one year of experience gardening or farming using sustainable and/or organic practices is preferred. 


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


• Proficient use of smart phones, office software, email, and other technology.


• Ability to communicate effectively. 


• Ability to lift and carry at least 50 pounds.


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

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.

Review of applications will begin right away and continue until the position is filled.