At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the development of a stunning market garden, growing exceptional fruit and vegetables.
- Company: Join a prestigious estate focused on sustainable and flavourful produce.
- Benefits: Opportunity to work in a beautiful setting with potential for personal growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with a passionate team and contribute to an artisanal food business.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by creating a garden of rare distinction and superior-quality crops.
- Qualifications: Extensive knowledge in soft fruit production and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 € per year.
We are seeking an exceptional Head Grower to join the team in developing a large and ambitious market garden on a substantial private estate at Mereworth. Our mission is to grow the very finest varieties of fruit, vegetables, and herbs—both traditional and non-traditional—with a strong emphasis on flavour above yield.
This will require a grower of exceptional knowledge and experience, capable of leading a team with the aim of creating a market garden of scale, productivity, diversity, and beauty, using the most effective and sustainable methods. The garden currently occupies approximately 15 acres, with potential for future expansion.
The project will include a comprehensive landscaping programme, envisaged as a joint project with the Estate Head Gardener, Estate Management, and the Owner. The garden comprises apple, pear, plum, and cherry orchards, all selected for flavour rather than yield. A high level of knowledge in soft fruit production is essential; the garden currently grows a wide range of strawberries and raspberries, with a clear ambition to expand both variety and scale in the coming years. Many of the existing plantings are rare heritage varieties.
The market garden currently includes two polytunnels, with a large multi-span structure located within an area dedicated to field-scale crops. Plans are in place to reinstate the glasshouses, providing additional propagation facilities and protected growing space, which will form an important part of the garden’s future development.
Although this is not a conventional commercial enterprise, the estate is associated with an artisanal food business, with produce supplied to the business as well as to the family when required. For this reason, a sound working knowledge of relevant regulations and compliance standards is essential.
The successful candidate will join the current team in creating a garden of exceptional quality, while leading the design, development, and day-to-day management of the market garden. This rare position will suit an individual of great knowledge and enthusiasm, with the ambition to create a garden of rare distinction producing superior-quality crops. High-level technical expertise, excellent organisational skills, and proven leadership ability are essential.
Head Grower – Mereworth Market Garden, Kent employer: Organic Growers Alliance
At Mereworth Market Garden, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our commitment to sustainable practices and the cultivation of high-quality produce offers employees unique opportunities for professional growth and development in a picturesque Kent location. Join us in our mission to create a market garden of distinction, where your expertise will be valued and your contributions will directly impact our ambitious vision.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Grower – Mereworth Market Garden, Kent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the horticulture and agriculture sectors, especially those who might know about the Head Grower position. Attend local events or workshops to meet potential colleagues and get your name out there.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you have experience with rare heritage varieties or sustainable growing methods, make sure to highlight that in conversations. Share your passion for flavour over yield—it's what this role is all about!
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings; reach out directly to the estate or similar organisations. Express your interest in the Head Grower role and ask if they’d be open to a chat about their vision for the market garden.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application come through directly. It shows initiative and gives us a chance to connect with you right away. Plus, it’s the best way to stay updated on any new opportunities!
We think you need these skills to ace Head Grower – Mereworth Market Garden, Kent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Growing:When writing your application, let your love for growing shine through! Share your experiences with different varieties of fruit and vegetables, especially those rare heritage ones. We want to see your enthusiasm for creating a market garden that prioritises flavour and quality.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills:As a Head Grower, you'll be leading a team, so make sure to showcase your leadership experience in your application. Talk about how you've successfully managed teams in the past and how you plan to inspire others to create a beautiful and productive garden.
Know Your Regulations:Since this role involves compliance with relevant regulations, it's crucial to mention your knowledge in this area. Briefly outline your understanding of the standards that apply to market gardening and how you’ve adhered to them in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets to the right people. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Organic Growers Alliance
✨Know Your Crops
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of fruit, vegetables, and herbs, especially the rare heritage varieties mentioned in the job description. Be ready to discuss your experience with soft fruit production and how you can contribute to expanding the garden's variety and scale.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head Grower, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, particularly in horticultural settings, and how you plan to inspire and motivate your future team at Mereworth.
✨Understand Sustainable Practices
Familiarise yourself with effective and sustainable growing methods. Be prepared to discuss your approach to sustainability in gardening and how you can implement these practices at Mereworth Market Garden to create a productive and beautiful space.
✨Regulations and Compliance Knowledge
Since the estate is associated with an artisanal food business, having a solid understanding of relevant regulations and compliance standards is key. Brush up on these topics and be ready to explain how you would ensure that the market garden meets all necessary requirements.
