Reflecting on Chicago’s Wild Weather Swings
This thing of beauty above is courtesy of yesterday’s sunrise. I’m sharing it here because I didn’t publish yesterday and because, alas, we’re not going to see much of Old Sol today and tomorrow.
I love sharing photos of Chicago on beautiful days, but it should surprise no one that we do have our share of days when the weather just sucks. Today was that rare day in February when the temperature climbed to 50, but any desire to go outside was blown away by gale force winds. Tonight, as a strong cold front descends on us, we’re forecast to have pouring rain as the temperatures drop toward freezing.
Then it gets worse.
Here is the Winter Storm Warning for tomorrow afternoon into the evening:
A period of freezing rain and sleet quickly changing to wet snow expected overnight. After a break in the accumulating wintry precipitation Thursday morning, wind driven snow is expected by mid-afternoon Thursday and will continue into early evening. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze are expected. North winds gusting as high as 45 mph, especially near Lake Michigan, Thursday afternoon and early evening.
Ah, well. Thanks to the self-employed lifestyle I adopted almost a year ago, I only leave the apartment when I need to or really want to, and fortunately neither applies tomorrow. Those sunrise and sunset photos from my living room will go away soon for six months as the sun moves to the north side of this highrise. And to be perfectly honest, that’s the only thing I really miss about winter.
Uncommon Ground Seeks Organic Farm Assistant
I’m always happy to share job openings from organizations and businesses in the local food community. But it’s a special pleasure to share this job opening posted by dear friends who have been leaders in Chicago’s farm to table restaurant community for more than three decades.
Uncommon Ground is seeking an organic farm assistant to help out on their amazing rooftop farm — the first certified organic rooftop farm in the United States — at its Edgewater location, and at the smaller Sidewalk farm at its original spot in Lakeview near Wrigley Field.
The person hired for this position will learn a ton about growing lots of delicious produce in small spaces, and will get to work with Farm Manager Allison Glovak-Webb, who is a wonderful human and master grower.
Details from Uncommon Ground are below.
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UNCOMMON GROUND ORGANIC FARM ASSISTANT
Position Description:
Work alongside the Farm Director as well as independently on the nation’s first certified organic rooftop farm in Edgewater!
The Farm Assistant will help maintain the day-to-day operations at the Uncommon Ground Rooftop Farm, while occasionally providing assistance at the Wrigleyville Sidewalk Farm throughout the summer. This position is part-time and seasonal (Late March-November).
Primary Duties & Responsibilities (include but are not limited to):
Assist the Farm Director in maintaining Uncommon Ground’s Rooftop Farm in Edgewater:
Plant propagation of outdoor starts and seedlings
Maintaining indoor sprout and microgreens production
Assist in tours of the rooftop farm
Handling, moving, and sifting compost and other organic materials
Maintaining living biological worm systems (vermicompost)
Offering assistance to beekeeper and basic beekeeping duties
Hanging and repairing trellises and other structural maintenance as needed
Occasionally assist in maintaining Uncommon Ground’s Sidewalk Farm in Wrigleyville:
Direct seeding and transplanting of seedlings outside
Watering plants and maintaining systems on a weekly basis
Harvesting and post-harvest handling produce
Implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices
Implementing soil fertility program
Maintaining a manicured aesthetic
Pruning and weeding as needed, including restaurant grounds
Detailed record keeping and evaluation on a daily basis, including:
Plant health, observations, farm actions, and environmental conditions
Harvest logs
Preparing internal farm invoices
Assist in teaching and working with possible farm interns and general community on site
Assist in volunteer workdays
Assist in helping the Farm Director with general upkeep of farm and restaurant grounds as needed
Job Requirements:
Must be able to work & travel between both Wrigleyville & Edgewater locations
Must be available to work a minimum of 2 Saturdays a month
Minimum 2 years experience working in Urban Agriculture or other farm related experience
Must be able to lift and carry 65+ lbs., climb stairs, and use farm tools in a safe and responsible manner
Comfortable spending 6+ hours at a time outdoors, in all weather conditions
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, be highly organized, and flexible
Must possess good communication and interpersonal skills, with ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including restaurant patrons, interns, volunteers, staff, chefs, and management
Must have an acute attention to detail, with a good sense of design
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Ability to work independently
Other Desirable Skills (but not required for position):
Experience with microgreens production, compost and vermiculture systems, and/or bee keeping a plus
Knowledge of designing and implementing a crop plan
Knowledge of IPM (Integrated Pest Management)
Knowledge of plant diseases and deficiencies highly desirable
Working knowledge of Earthbox systems
Working knowledge of excel a plus
Reports to: Farm Director
Oversees: Summer Interns & Volunteers
Compensation: $16 hour + shift meals
To Apply:
Please submit a cover letter and resume via e-mail to: Allison Glovak-Webb – farmerallison@uncommonground.com -and please indicate ‘Farm Assistant Position’ in subject line
No phone calls please
Green City ISO Seasonal Managers, Assistants
Green City Market is hiring for the key roles of Seasonal Market Manager at its Lincoln Park flagship and West Loop satellite farmers markets. The specs are next and a button to apply is below that.
Click the first button for the specs and the second button to apply.
Also, Green City has openings for Operations Assistants at both of its markets, who will support daily operations at the markets. The specs are next and a button to apply is below that.