HEAD GROWER, GREAT MARKET GARDEN, Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Location: Cirencester, Gloucestershire

Reporting to: Gloucestershire Joint Team Leader

The GREAT Market Garden is an innovative agroecological market garden and teaching space located in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, led by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group South West (FWAG SW) in partnership with the Royal Agricultural University (RAU). The market garden was established in 2023 with set-up funding from the GREAT Project (Gloucestershire Regenerative Environmental and Agricultural Transition) and has all the necessary infrastructure now in place. FWAG SW leases a 7.6 acre field adjacent to the RAU with a 300m2 outdoor growing area, two polytunnels, a borehole with irrigation system, solar power and back-up generator, a shipping container for storage and a welfare unit. We are 2 years into developing this innovative project, which combines hands‑on agroecological growing in no‑dig beds with commercial and community veg sales, agroecological teaching, and community engagement.

Job Overview

We are now seeking an experienced Head Grower to lead the GREAT Market Garden’s commercial growing, with support from other members of the Gloucestershire project team. This post will suit a passionate and highly motivated individual, who is ready to take on a high‑profile project, build on its success, and help ensure it has a thriving and sustainable future. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and abilities who meet the essential criteria for this role, as stated in the Person Specification. We are an open and inclusive organisation seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce.

Key Responsibilities

• Day to day management of the market garden, including propagation, planting, irrigation, harvesting, and composting
• Planning and forecasting crop production to ensure economic viability
• Creation of veg box scheme or similar commercial enterprise from existing customers
• Consolidate and build on existing relationships with local retailers and hospitality, including local delivery within a 20 mile radius
• Collaborate with FWAG SW project team to facilitate agroecological learning
• Work in partnership with the RAU kitchens, conferencing and teaching teams to maximise co‑benefits
• Scope to develop the role through additional enterprises on the site

Person Specification

Essential Qualifications

• At least 3 seasons of commercial growing experience
• Proven track record of veg sales as a grower
• Knowledge of no‑till systems and agroecological/regenerative farming
• Able to establish and manage efficient systems and work processes
• Marketing skills and experience to develop brand identity for commercial enterprises
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written
• Good IT skills including using social media, MS Office (Excel, Word) and email
• Ability to successfully manage the commercial aspects of growing, such as finances, budgeting and invoicing, and health and safety requirements
• Good organisational skills, including record keeping and data monitoring

Desirable Qualifications

• A qualification linked to agroecological farming, horticulture or the environment
• Experience of working in the food industry or hospitality
• Basic use and maintenance of key market garden infrastructure (for example a BCS tractor, generator, solar panels, irrigation, polytunnels, and no‑dig beds and paths)

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Pay and Hours

Self‑employed at a rate of £15.00 per hour. Initial fixed term of 6 months, with option to extend subject to funding. Working hours: full‑time working of 37.5 hours per week maximum within normal daytime working hours, although flexible working and/or job share will also be considered.

Travel / Expenses

Must have access to a vehicle for business purposes with the appropriate insurance. You are expected to travel/commute between your home and the market garden at your own expense and in your own time. Business miles (e.g. for delivery scheme) may be reclaimed at 45p for the first 7,500 miles in any one year and 25p per mile thereafter.

Procedure for Application

Please provide a CV and covering letter, detailing your suitability for the role. Please ensure that the information you provide correlates as closely as possible to the requirements of the job, as detailed in the Key Responsibilities and Person Specification above. Please send your application to: HR@fwagsw.org.uk by the closing date of Monday 9th February 2026. Receipt of applications will be acknowledged by email only. Please note that if you do not hear from us within one week of the closing date, it is unlikely you have been shortlisted for interview on this occasion. Due to the volume of applications we normally receive, we are only able to provide feedback to shortlisted candidates. Interview date for this post: Tuesday 24th February 2026. FWAG SW is not able to reimburse costs for attending interviews.

Further Information

The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group Southwest Limited (FWAGSW) is a registered charity which offers advice to farmers and landowners on the integration of commercial farming practices with environmental management. For more information visit http://www.fwagsw.org.uk.