Production Gardener

In our extensive gardens we grow over 50 medicinal plants. They range from trees like Birch and Thuja, shrubs and hedgerow bushes like Blackthorn and Hawthorn, field crops of Calendula, Oats and Chamomile, plus smaller quantities of herbs, wildflowers, vegetables and weeds

Initial cultivation for the field crops is done mechanically; everything else is done by hand. Plants are grown in a variety of settings from formal beds, crop fields, wildflower meadows and woodlands. We are completely organic, using Biodynamic methods with Demeter certification.

The garden team harvests medicinal plants and processes them further into fresh plant tinctures in our own production facilities, following strict Good Manufacturing Practice. Harvested amounts can vary from 1 - 200kg

**Key responsibilities**:

- To grow medicinal plants to Demeter standard, under the guidance of the garden manager. This includes sowing, transplanting, crop maintenance, irrigation, weeding and harvesting.
- To make tinctures and dry plants to Ph. Eur. and pharmacopeia standards, within the context of GMP and following SOP procedures, under the direction of the garden manager.
- To operate tractors with implements for all-site mowing as well as field cultivations.
- To operate power tools including hedge cutters, strimmers, pole saws and handheld garden machinery.
- To develop and maintain the Field (and occasionally the HQ site gardens), meeting the needs of Production, Marketing and staff welfare, under the guidance of the garden manager. This includes making compost, hedge cutting, pruning, coppicing and wood chipping over Winter
- To ensure that the garden environment and all equipment is kept safe and tidy. To comply with all Health and Safety.
- To assist the garden manager in the supervision of the seasonal gardeners and volunteers.
- To support marketing of the Weleda brand ie ensure a positive visitor experience of the gardens, ‘feed’ social media with photos and stories from the garden etc.
- To contribute to all staff events hosted by the garden team.

**Experience**:

- At least one years’ experience of working in a professional, productive garden or farm.
- A keen interest in biodynamics.
- An understanding of a conservation approach to land management ie biodiversity, habitat creation, wild flower meadows, ponds etc.
- An interest in medicinal plants, herbal medicines and/or Anthroposophic medicines.

**Technical Skills**:

- Competence in general organic/biodynamic gardening skills.
- Competence with garden machinery including the use of tractors and hand/power tools.
- Ability to manufacture tinctures and dry plants to GMP standards.
- Driving license

**Behavioural Skills**:

- Ability to communicate effectively at all levels and transfer skills/knowledge.
- Enjoys working outdoors in all weathers
- Resilient
- Positive outlook with ‘can do’ attitude
- Team player

The hours of work will be 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday along with weekend watering through the growing season.