Organization Overview

The Youth Garden Project (YGP) is a 501(c)3 garden-based education and community gardening nonprofit organization located in the heart of Moab, Utah. YGP’s main campus is located on 1.5-acres adjacent to our local high school. Our mission is to cultivate healthy children, families, and community through educational programs and connecting people with food from seed to table. YGP has operated garden-based programs in the beautiful red rock country of Southeastern Utah for over 29 years. YGP believes gardening makes learning fun for all ages, and connects individuals to their local food system, to their community, and to each other.

Position Overview

This position is a seasonal role that supports the operation of the Youth Garden Project’s Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, food donation efforts, and farm-based community programming. This role assists with vegetable harvesting, packing, and distribution; maintains clean and organized kitchen and wash/pack spaces; supports community meals and events; and contributes to general farm maintenance.

The position works closely with the Farm Programs Director and follows a consistent weekly schedule aligned with harvest and CSA distribution needs. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys hands-on farm work, structured routines, and being part of a small, collaborative nonprofit team.

Successful candidates will demonstrate great communication skills, a strong sense of teamwork, excellence in self-directed work, skillful prioritization of tasks, creativity in problem-solving, experience or interest in event planning and coordination, and a belief in YGP’s mission of cultivating healthy children, families, and community through educational programs and connecting people with food from seed to table.

This is a full-time seasonal position based on-site in Moab, Utah.

Seasonal Dates: April 13, 2026 - October 28, 2026

Employment: Full-time seasonal (35 hours/week). 

Starting Hourly Rate: $18-$20/hour DOE

Application Deadline: Priority deadline is February 1, 2026, after which we will review applications on an ongoing basis. This position will remain open until filled.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

CSA Harvest, Packing, & Set up and Distribution of Vegetables (45%)

This position will work collaboratively and independently on the following tasks: 

• Harvest, wash, weigh, and pack weekly CSA shares (15 paid shares per week plus 2 CareShare donation boxes) alongside CSA Workshare volunteers and the Farm Programs Director.
• Ensure Kitchen is cleaned and set up for CSA pick up every Tuesday and that CSA supplies are put away on Wednesday morning.
• Deliver CareShare produce to local food banks and community distribution partners.
• Harvests fruit in orchards both on site and off site for CSA and other programing.
• Assist Farm Programs Director in creating value-added products for CSA program.

Workshare volunteer lead and farm programs support (25%)

• Supervise and lead two CSA Workshare volunteers every Tuesday (7:30am–11:00am) to ensure crops are harvested and packed to a high standard and in a timely manner.
• Support our Bi-weekly “Weed N Feed” event by coordinating with volunteer chefs and harvesting ingredients from the garden to complete their meal. 
• Attend the Weed N Feed as a Youth Garden Project staff member to ensure the evening runs smoothly.

General farm work and maintenance (25%)

• Work alongside other farm team members or independently to complete farm tasks such as planting, cultivating, thinning, pruning,composting, and other general field and crop maintenance.

General YGP Responsibilities (5%)

• Contribute to the shared maintenance and care of YGP’s 1.5 acre garden site as needed.
• Bi-weekly meetings with Farm Programs Director regarding priorities, upcoming harvest schedules, and program needs.
• Several evenings and approximately 1 weekend day per month for YGP events and shared weekend garden chores will be required during the growing season.

Please note that the duties and responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive, and the role and responsibilities may evolve to meet emergent needs over time. 

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must be at least 21 years of age by the target start date. 
• The final candidate must submit to and clear a background check.
• Candidates must be able to receive a Utah food handlers license within the first week of employment. Will be paid for by the Youth Garden Project.

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Strong interest or experience in gardening, vegetable production, or local food systems.
• Experience working in a CSA, farmers market, or food distribution setting.
• Ability to perform physical labor outdoors in all types of weather, especially heat and sun exposure.
• Highly organized with ability to manage and prioritize multiple responsibilities. Ability to prioritize tasks based on evolving needs.
• Strong organization and attention to detail, especially with harvest and packing tasks.
• Experience in nonprofit settings preferred.
• Strong and positive communication skills for working with a small team, our CSA members, volunteers, and the general public that you will be interacting with on a daily basis.
• Customer service or service industry experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of sustainable agriculture, community food systems, outdoor education, and/or youth development preferred.
• Ability to work independently for long periods of time to complete tasks and also to work alongside others collaboratively.
• Prior familiarity with food safety practices and kitchen sanitation.

We encourage candidates to apply if they are excited about this role and believe they can contribute to our work, even if they do not meet all the listed qualifications. 

Benefits:

• Option to enroll in a group health insurance plan, with 75% of the monthly premium covered by YGP.
• Vacation time earned at a rate of .0385 hours per hour worked.
• Paid holidays when the YGP office is closed.
• Sick time earned at a rate of .05 hours per hour worked.
• Option to enroll in a 3% employer-matched Simple IRA plan.
• 30 minutes of earned “Paid Volunteer Time” per pay period to support other local causes.

The Youth Garden Project provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.