Okra Abbey - Lead Gardener Job Posting
Application Deadline 4pm CST Monday September 29, 2025
At first glance, Okra Abbey looks like a community garden, and while that is true, Okra Abbey is also a sacred space for the residents of the Pigeon Town neighborhood in New Orleans. Like other sacred spaces, Okra Abbey is a place where people grow in friendship and faith alongside one another through the sharing of stories, scripture, prayers, and food. Unlike many sacred spaces, our sanctuary is a garden where we grow food to share with our neighbors.
Okra Abbey is a mission of the Presbytery of South Louisiana and a New Worshipping Community of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The garden is in search of a part-time gardener to fill an upcoming opening for the management of the farming portion of Okra Abbey, based in Pigeon Town, Leonidas Neighborhood, in the Carrollton Riverbend Area of New Orleans (corner of Hickory and Eagle streets). If you have any questions, please reach out to Okra Abbey Director Dan Lang at okraabbey@gmail.com. If you intend to apply, please attach a resume and cover letter. The application deadline is Monday September 29, 2025 at 4pm CST.
● Start Date: October 15 OR October 27, 2025
● Hours: offer to range from 15-20 hours weekly, Monday 8:30AM-12:30PM, Tuesday 8:30AM-12:30PM, Wednesday 8:30AM-1:30PM, Thursday 8:30AM-12:30PM. One Saturday morning per month 8:30AM-12:00PM
● Salary: offer to range from $15-20/hr
Job Responsibilities: Daily management of Okra Abbey as Lead Gardener
1. Self-directed work of opening the garden as scheduled and maintaining the garden beds, irrigation system, composting station, seed supply, soil quality, and tool shed
2. Be present and provide hospitality to people walking by and/or coming into the Abbey
3. Work with the director to contribute ingredients and help plan weekly Wednesday lunch and plan and lead community days. Provide “garden moment” before the Grace and Green meal highlighting horticultural connections in the meal and moment. Provide educational and volunteer activities and projects for community days and volunteer groups.
4. Participate and co-lead Monday Staff meeting to implement agenda for garden projects, volunteer projects, and hospitality
5. Provide daily supervision for garden tasks to Young Adult Volunteers, Okra Abbey Staff, and volunteer garden workers in alignment with garden planning and mission of hospitality
Additional Responsibilities of Okra Abbey Lead Gardener
1. Planning work a. Develop and document a garden plan - a year-round planting schedule to include rotating the garden beds, resting beds when necessary, and refurbishing regularly b. Order seeds and starts in collaboration with Director on garden and educational budgets c. Research organic pesticides d. Plan the next stage of the compost program 2. Bed management a. Plant seeds and/or seedlings b. Weed beds and surrounding areas. c. Fertilize and enrich the soil d. Maintain compost 3. Manage space + irrigation system Maintain and maintenance irrigation system, water tank, pump, timers, and irrigation lines b Coordinate with the director to plan for and paint as needed to keep things bright b. Weeding and pruning of growth inside and outside the fence keeping around the garden tidy and well-kept d. Ensure garbage is picked up 4, Administrative work a. Provide updates for monthly board meetings and be available to attend meetings monthly (usually 1st or 2nd Wednesday on ZOOM every month after hosted lunch - What is going in and coming out of beds? Successes from the last few weeks? Challenges and/or concerns from the last few weeks? Updates on garden lifecycle document? Update on collaborations? 5. Collaborate with local garden, ecological, and civic groups for community days and other intersections/events/mutual support including with Carrollton Riverbend Neighborhood Association planning and meetings as appropriate in coordination with the director 6. Support the director with partnership engagement - for example: coordination with Cans 4 Food for pickups or delivery, garden organizations for collaborations.
The ideal candidate:
● Has a horticulture degree, be a master gardener or have equivalent gardening experience
● Has willingness to engage with neighbors of all ages and backgrounds about gardening, nutrition, &/or wellness
● Has experience in community engagement around growing and producing food, specifically in the Greater New Orleans area
● No requirement to be a part of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
● Being spiritual in some way is a plus but not required
Our contacts & Socials:
okraabbey@gmail.com
Instagram @okraabbey