Position Overview
Rooted is seeking an experienced educator and grower to serve as Gardener-in-Residence (GiR) at Schenk 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
- Schenk Elementary: 10 weeks in fall 2025 and 10 weeks in spring 2026 – 10 hours/ week (8 hours teaching/ garden maintenance + 2 hours planning/ prep). Schedule will follow MMSD school calendar
- Must be available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and/or Fridays for one full day or two half days per week; exact schedule to be determined with school
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.
How to Apply
Please apply directly through BambooHR at or mail your cover letter and resume to:
Rooted c/o Erica Krug
517 E Badger Road
Madison, WI 53713
Review of applications will begin right away and continue until the position is filled.
