Job Description
Job Description Salary: $15-$25
About The Eden Preserve:
Welcome to The Eden Preserve at Winchester a generational farming project rooted in purpose, powered by love, and planted on sacred Virginia soil. Our land is a place where nature, nurture, and nourishment come together in harmony.
Our Story
Planted with Purpose. Preserved by Legacy.
The Eden Preserve at Winchester was founded by the Holmes and Quarles families as a transformative response to the need for healthier food, deeper connection, and stronger community. Situated on a fertile five-acre parcel in King William County, this land was entrusted to us as a legacyand we are committed to honoring it.
What started as a shared vision to provide fresh, chemical-free food for our families has blossomed into a regenerative, year-round farming initiative that blends traditional growing practices with modern agricultural sustainability.
We believe the land can heal if we let it. We believe families can thrive when they know what theyre eating. And we believe farming should be a communal act of love, stewardship, and empowerment.
Mission & Values
Our Mission
To restore our communitys connection to the land by growing high-quality, pesticide-free food year-round, employing ethical and regenerative practices, and creating economic, educational, and healing opportunities through agriculture.
Our Core Values
Stewardship We honor the land as a living entity, not a commodity.
Transparency Our food is grown with nothing hidden. No chemicals, no GMOs, no shortcuts.
Family & Community We create intergenerational opportunities for learning, working, and thriving.
Health & Healing Our mission is rooted in nourishment, not just nutrition.
Sustainability Every seed planted serves the soil, the ecosystem, and the future.
What We Grow
Seasonal and Sustainable
From crisp greens and juicy heirloom tomatoes to aromatic herbs and restorative teas, everything we grow is cultivated with care and integrity. We prioritize companion planting, crop rotation, natural fertilization, and biodiversity as part of our regenerative model.
We grow:
Leafy Greens: Kale, collards, arugula, lettuce, spinach
Root Vegetables: Carrots, beets, turnips, radishes, garlic
Vine Crops & Nightshades: Tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, peppers
Herbs & Teas: Basil, oregano, thyme, lavender, chamomile, mint
Fruits & Berries: Blueberries, strawberries, watermelon, cantaloupe
Grains & Edible Flowers: Millet, buckwheat, marigold, nasturtium
Medicinals: Elderberry, echinacea, lemon balm
At The Eden Preserve at Winchester, we believe farming is more than a job its a calling. Whether you're planting seeds, managing harvests, teaching workshops, or maintaining our grounds, your work here nourishes lives, restores the land, and builds legacy.
Were looking for passionate, purpose-driven individuals to join our growing team. If you care deeply about clean food, environmental justice, and community empowerment, wed love to work alongside you.
Why Join Our Team?
Meaningful Mission Every role supports our commitment to sustainable agriculture, food equity, and community wellness.
Hands-On Learning We train every team member in regenerative farming, land stewardship, and farm-to-table systems.
Family-Centered Culture We are a multigenerational family project, and we welcome workers of all backgrounds who share our vision.
Fresh Perks All staff receive seasonal produce, hands-on training, and priority access to workshops and wellness retreats.
DISCLOSURES:
The specific statements shown in each section of this job description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria considered necessary to perform the job successfully. The jobs responsibilities/tasks may be modified and/or expanded over time. Company will inform the personnel member when changes in the respective job description are made.
COMPANY WEBSITE:
COMPANY PHONE NUMBER:
HUMAN RESOURCES PHONE NUMBER:(667) 309-5345 ext 10
POSITION TITLE: Gardener
ALTERNATE TITLE(S): Groundskeeper, Landscape Maintenance Worker, Horticultural Technician
COMPANY:
The Eden Preserve at Winchester
209 Winchester Road
King William, VA 23086
DIVISION: Operations
DEPARTMENT: Facilities Operations Grounds & Environmental Services
UNIT: Horticulture and Landscape Maintenance
BENEFITS PACKAGE: This is a 1099 contract position and is not benefits-eligible. Contractors are responsible for their own health, retirement, and liability coverage.
WORK SCHEDULE: Each team member is to provide 25 hours per week of on-site gardening and groundskeeping service.
Preferred Schedule: 25 hours per week split over 5 days flexible
ACCOUNTABLE TO: Facilities and Grounds Supervisor
(Operations Director in the absence of the Facilities and Grounds Supervisor)
CLASSIFICATION: 1099 Contractor
COMPENSATION RANGE: $15.00 $25.00 per hour, commensurate with experience, tools provided, horticultural skills, and scope of services performed.
ANTICIPATED TRAVEL: None All work is performed on-site at The Eden Preserve.
SUMMARY OF POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Part-Time Gardener is responsible for maintaining the grounds and gardens of The Eden Preserve. This includes soil care, planting, weeding, pruning, and general landscaping tasks to preserve and enhance the sites natural beauty and environmental sustainability. The Gardener plays a vital role in ensuring that outdoor spaces remain safe, vibrant, and welcoming to guests, staff, and program participants.
SCHEDULED DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Maintain garden beds, lawns, walkways, and planting areas
Conduct weeding, mulching, watering, and fertilizing tasks
Prune trees and shrubs as needed to ensure plant health and aesthetic value
Support seasonal planting and landscape design updates
Monitor for pests, plant disease, and irrigation issues
Use gardening tools and small machinery safely and responsibly
Report site repair needs and suggest landscape improvements
Ensure all gardening work is done in accordance with environmental best practices
Assist with garden-based events or wellness programs when requested
UNSCHEDULED DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Participate in cleanup after storms or seasonal transitions
Assist in composting, propagation, or soil testing as needed
Support special projects such as trail clearing or native restoration
Provide plant-related guidance to visitors or program staff when appropriate
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Regular lifting, digging, raking, and bending
Walking and standing for extended periods
Ability to lift or carry up to 30 lbs regularly
Use of garden tools, wheelbarrows, and irrigation hoses
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Primarily outdoors in all weather conditions
Exposure to insects, pollen, soil, and other natural materials
Occasional greenhouse or shed work
COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of native plants, weeds, and invasive species
Understanding of sustainable or organic gardening practices
Attention to detail and landscape aesthetics
Self-motivated and able to follow planting and care plans
Good communication and ability to work independently or as part of a team
LEVEL OF EDUCATION / TRAINING / QUALIFICATIONS:
~ High school diploma or GED preferred
~1+ year experience in gardening, landscaping, or groundskeeping
~ Familiarity with basic plant care, tool safety, and landscape maintenance
~ Reliable transportation to worksite
~ Ability to pass background check (if required for events with public)