Urban Farmer wanted!

Pringle Creek Community is seeking a part-time Urban Farmer to maintain and expand our urban farming operations and related educational programming in the neighborhood. This includes a large intensive garden with 6,000 square feet of glass Conservatory, as well as 2 acres of organic orchards, blueberries, and community gardens, and additional acreage.

The position's primary responsibility will be to produce food for Painters Hall Café and farm stand sales through manual fieldwork, crop cultivation, planning, production, harvesting, and selling of produce. Other duties and responsibilities include: maintaining gardens, orchards, and Conservatory for productivity, yield, beauty, and interest; maintaining and repairing Conservatory and irrigation infrastructure; exploring potential community beekeeping and urban chicken keeping program; engaging volunteers and community partners in farm production activities; providing farm-related educational tours and activities; and assisting neighborhood organic landscape maintenance program.

Required qualifications: gardening or farming experience, preferably 2 years or more in organic or chemical-free agriculture; ability to work independently and as part of a team to achieve goals successfully; knowledge of (or willingness to learn) Conservatory operations, maintenance, repair, and basic carpentry. Preferred qualifications: experience teaching youth in a farm setting; demonstrated interest in issues related to food security and sustainable agriculture; ability to work creatively on a low budget; passion for sustainability and for challenging yet rewarding work in an outdoor setting.

Accepting applications until September 9th, 2011. We may not be able to respond to all candidate applications.

Please send resume and cover letter to James by email.

Update: thanks everyone, we found someone awesome! Nicole McDavid is now our Urban Farmer and is taking care of the Glasshouses and gardens. Stop by to say hi! and come try her produce in Painters Hall Cafe.

Favorite Salem secret (again)

Kelsey Wilson was just featured in the Statesman Journal Young Professional spotlight, and said her "favorite Salem secret" is "Pringle Creek Community. It's the perfect place to ride bikes, have a picnic or go for a walk."
Thanks Kelsey! You aren't the only one who loves this place. Julia McFerron told the Statesman Journal that Pringle Creek was her "Favorite Salem Secret" last year too, and we have a lot of friends that come here just to enjoy the 12 acres of natural open space and well-designed streets -- like living in a park. It's beautiful, as you can see from these photos taken in front of the Root Cellar, gardens, and creek by Katie Brown Photography.
Thanks Kelsey! We're glad you like coming here!

Today's Young Professional: Kelsey Wilson
August 21, 2011
Name: Kelsey Wilson
Age: 29
Residence: Salem
What I do at work: Public Affairs Manager at Vox Public Relations Public Affairs. I am responsible for

Lunchtime!

Painters Hall Cafe is an awesome place to have lunch -- have you discovered it yet?


To see the menu (which includes organic blueberry gelato, espresso drinks, and great food), visit http://paintershallcafe.blogspot.com  seriously the best gaspacho this side of Seville...

The best place in Salem to sit outside, have lunch in the shade, and listen to the birds sing.

Organic greens, incredible bread, home baked chicken, fresh fruit, balsamic dressing.... all this for $5

Painters Hall mentioned in Statesman article on WOU

We received a brief mention in today's Statesman Journal, as Painters Hall was the first LEED Platinum building in Salem. Congratulations to Western Oregon University! Link to Statesman Journal article
WOU hall becomes first Polk LEED Platinum building
Justin Much
Statesman Journal
August 4, 2011

The newly anointed nexus on the Western Oregon University campus just officially earned its green stripes.
Ackerman Hall, which opened in September, achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
The Hall’s builders aimed for the Platinum rating from the onset, while its architect, Kurt Haapala, also prized the building’s