Community Kitchen Manager

We are hiring a Community Kitchen Manager to support the development of our on-farm processing kitchen and food preservation educational programming. Funded by United Way of Story County’s Financial Empowerment Major Grant, the Community Kitchen Manager will work with our volunteer Farm Team in the exciting, early stages of this project. This is a part-time, contracted position with responsibilities that will vary by season. Please email outreach.mustardseed@gmail.com with questions. Deadline to Apply: October 1, 2026. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

About Us: Ames, Iowa—Mustard Seed is a dynamic collective of farmers, artists, plants & animals. On our 11-acre farm, we are dedicated to simple living, love of neighbor, and cultivating a place where everyone can participate in growing and eating delicious, healthy, locally-produced food. We are a volunteer-run, not-for-profit service project. Our primary focus is growing food to share with the community, and we also have a strong educational and community-building program. At Mustard Seed, we believe in service, regenerative agriculture, land stewardship, hospitality, and beauty. We farm on a human scale and limit our dependence on fossil fuels. Our food is grown according to organic standards: 100% free of petrol-derived pesticides, herbicide, or fertilizer. Ours is an agroecology approach; food production happens within a healthy habitat. Over half the food we grow is distributed to our community partners and donation sites. We also donate directly to households experiencing food insecurity. We also share food with our volunteers through a workshare model and manage a small, sliding-scale CSA.

Position Description: We are hiring a Community Kitchen Manager to support the development of our on-farm processing kitchen and food preservation educational programming. Funded by United Way of Story County’s Financial Empowerment Major Grant, the Community Kitchen Manager will work with our volunteer Farm Team in the exciting, early stages of this project. This is a part-time, contracted position with responsibilities that will vary by season.

Responsibilities
Phase 1: Development

Event Planning

• Reserve facilities to host food processing workshops in town
• Recruit teachers
• Coordinate supplies and materials
• Create and maintain participant sign up forms
• Update and maintain events calendar

Kitchen Set Up
• Assist the farm team with equipping the kitchen space (appliances, utensils, supplies, etc.)
• Work with farm team to develop policies and procedures for the kitchen

Outreach & Communications

• Create publicity materials for classes, workshops, and the micro-entrepreneur program (social media content, print and digital newsletters, print flyers, etc.)
• Build relationships with partner organizations and volunteers

Phase 2: Implementation
Kitchen Management

• Oversee workshops and projects in the community kitchen space
• Create and maintain a schedule for the kitchen
• Assist community members with workshop registration and reserving kitchen space
• Ensure the kitchen is clean, stocked, and organized
• Manage excess produce from harvests on Tuesday and/or Friday mornings
• Recipe development

Event Planning

• Collaborate with teachers to host food processing workshops in the kitchen and/or in town
• Create and maintain participant sign up forms
• Coordinate supplies and materials
• Update and maintain events calendar

Fundraising and Development

• Assist farm team with fundraising and grant writing to support the kitchen

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in kitchens* (cooking, managing, etc.)
• Interest in food sovereignty-based agriculture, food preservation, social justice, and mutual aid
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds
• Eagerness to build relationships with volunteers and partner organizations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Basic written and verbal communication skills in Spanish (preferred)
• Basic graphic design and/or illustration skills
• A flexible schedule and willingness to attend assorted evening meetings and weekend events

*This experience could include home cooking, culinary education, volunteering, and/or work experience.

Compensation
Part-time (10-20 hours/week). This hybrid position will include on-farm work (preferred on Tuesday or Friday mornings), in-person events, and computer work. Flexible schedule (will include some mornings, nights, and weekends). $15/hour + produce from our farm and use of the kitchen space. This position is funded through July 1, 2027 by United Way of Story County’s Financial Empowerment Major Grant.

How to Apply
Please submit our application form and your resume to outreach.mustardseed@gmail.com by October 1, 2026. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.