KARA GILBERT
Portland
Summary
As the owner and operator of a small scale agricultural business over the past twelve years, I have created a successful entity with exponential growth and economic viability. I have strong leadership skills, a passion for production, operations and systems, and believe in the depth of process ad directing projects, developing strong networks in assuring a project is seen through. I take pride in my scope and ability to hone in on details while zooming out and seeing the big picture of a project. I have a proven ability to utilize my critical thinking skills, group dynamics and understanding the continual shift and changes that happens daily, with flexibility as the nucleus of any job.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
VVBlue
Vibrant Valley Farm
- Initiated systems to create a deliverable of indigo pigment from seed to garment on site
- Managed one of the three largest indigo fields in the nation
- Hand dyed fabric for several local clients
- Created, distributed, marketed, and retailed garments that were hand dyed on site with our own indigo pigment.
Apothecary
Vibrant Valley Farm
- Creation of body care line using farm-grown, natural ingredients
- Specializing in oils, soaps, salve, and serums
- Small team pursuit with on and off farm strategy to sell and deliver product.
Classes
Vibrant Valley Farm
- Directed programming and created content for several courses on site
- Classes include corporate partners
- Hosted over 50 private classes
- Curriculum development for at-risk youth partnering with youth garden projects.
Fashion Show
Vibrant Valley Farm
- Designed, produced, orchestrated, and hosted an on-site fashion show, showcasing a diverse group of models
- Hand dyed each blazer and garment worn in the show.
Floral
- Design and concept analysis
- Marketing and sales management
- Annual planning and schematics.
Food
- Collaborated with up to 40 local chefs on annual menu planning and crop specifications and field design
- Weekly correspondence bridging the needs of the available field inventory with customers' needs
- Continual assessment to stay relevant and up to date with current culinary trends.
Japanese Food and Farm Tour 2016
- Studied indigo production and development from local business and cultural sites
- Produced dinners and group activities with international partners and local stakeholders
- Planned and strategized future trips with local governments to build a partnership between Portland and Kobe.
WWOOF- Italy, Argentina, Ecuador
- Worked on local farms with international groups as a solo traveler
- Work in ideas of solo ability to travel and handle diverse groups.
Host, Japanese Government officials in Environmental Studies
- Curriculum development with Japanese Government for Environmental Sustainability
- On-site visits at Vibrant Valley Farm to discuss models and scope that we practice as a way to empower new legislation in Japan for administrative programming.
Social Media and Content creation
- Organized rollouts
- Goals set and planned content.
Scraps Food Show 2018
01.2018
- Designed set for video production and field layout
- Organized rollouts
- Goals set and planned content.
Gamay Segment, French Wine Spectator 2017
01.2017
- Designed set for video production on site
- Organized logistics for all participating parties.
CEO, CFO, CCO, COO
Vibrant Valley Farm
01.2013 - Current
- Administration in a tiered managerial structure
- Key contact overseeing all sales and production
- Closely oversees three management teams
- Assures goals are met and standards are set
- Outlines deliverables to each team weekly, monthly, and quarterly with on-site training for each team
- Managed and operated up to 450K of annual revenue over a 12-year period
- Interviewed up to 80 people
- Hired 35 people to work seasonally.
Lead strategist
Vibrant Valley Farm
01.2013 - Current
- Leading multiple teams with sales and economic analysis weekly, monthly, and quarterly
- Works closely with customers and partners to strategize outcomes for each quarter.
Outstanding in the Field 2017-2019
01.2017 - 01.2019
- Project manager and field design for large-scale field dinners for 200+ attendees in the height of production season.
Board member of McDaniel High School Urban Farm 2012-2018
01.2012 - 01.2018
- Program Assistant in logistics and development
- Community Engagement liaison for Supa Fresh Farm Program
- Leader of youth programming on small-scale farm projects, with annual leadership and job training.
Board Member of Portland Parent Union 2008-2013
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Leader of community meetings and focus groups for parents, teachers, and principals in PPS
- Diversity and Community training for empowering and working closely with diverse families and goals for educational outcomes.
Education
Masters In Education - Leadership in Ecology Culture and Learning -
Portland State
01.2010
Bachelors in Environmental Studies & Outdoor Education -
University of Oregon
01.2006
Skills
- Calm Under Pressure
- Data Entry
- Relationship Building
- Dependable and Responsible
Websites
Production And Development
Lead strategist leading multiple teams with sales and economic analysis weekly, monthly and quarterly., Works closely with customers and partners to strategize outcomes for each quarter., VVBlue, Initiated systems to create a deliverables of indigo pigment from seed to garment on site., Managed one of three largest indigo fields in nation. Networking with other small farms and creating unique systems and structures., Hand Dyed fabric for several local clients including: Snowpeak, Evenfall, Glor Coats, Found, Madre Linen, Botanical Colors, Thunderpants, Created, distributed, marketed and retailed garments that were hand dyed on site with our own indigo pigment for creating unisex blazers/ t-shirts, socks, pillowcases, and upscaled items for resale., Apothecary, Creation of body care line using farm grown, natural ingredients. Specializing in oils, soaps, salve and serums to share., Small team pursuit with on and off farm strategy to sell and deliver product.
Classes
Directed programming and created content from several courses on site, evaluating stakeholders and teaching in a field setting., Nike (Serena William Design Crew, Accessories, BRS, Kids Apparel, Mens, Adidas, Lululemon, SchoolHouse Electric, Keen, Tender Loving Empire, Tusk, Hosted over 50 private classes, orchestrating and operating with on site dye plants and designed field spaces for instruction and hospitality., Curriculum development for at-risk youth partnering with youth garden projects.
Fashion Show
Designed, produced, orchestrated and hosted an on site fashion show, showcasing a diverse group of models radically, ethnically, and in size - celebrating fat fashion and body diversity., Every person was hand picked to fit the theme and present the jackets we had produced., Hand dyed each blazer and garment worn in the show.
Floral
Design and concept analysis, Marketing and sales management, Annual planning and schematics of some sort
Food
Collaborated with up to 40 local chefs on annual menu planning and crop specifications and field design, Weekly correspondence bridging the needs of the available field inventory with customers needs, Continual assessment to stay relevant and up to date with current culinary trends, International outreach and Head Lead in Experience
International Experience
- Japanese Food and Farm Tour 2016, Studied indigo production and development from local business and cultural sites, Produced dinners and group activities with international partners and local stakeholders., Planned and strategized future trips with local governments to build partnership between Portland and Kobe.
- WWOOF- Italy, Argentina, Ecuador, Worked on local farms with international groups as a solo traveler., Work in ideas of solo ability to travel and handle diverse groups. Etc etc
- Host, Japanese Government officials in Environmental Studies, Curriculum development with Japanese Government for Environmental Sustainability, On site visits at Vibrant Valley Farm to discuss models and scope that we practice as a way to empower new legislation in Japan for administrative programming.
On Site Production
- Outstanding in the Field 2017-2019, Project manager and field design for large scale field dinners for 200+ attendees in the height of production season
- Gamay Segment, French Wine Spectator 2017, Designed set for video production on site, Organized logistics for all participating parties
- Scraps Food Show 2018, Designed set for video production and field layout Organized rolls outs, Goals set and planned content something something
Social Media Content Creation - Responsibilities
- Organized rolls outs
- Goals set and planned content something something
Boards Community Outreach
- Board Member of Portland Parent Union 2008-2013, Leader of community meetings and focus groups for parents, teachers and principles in PPS. Diversity and Community training for empowering and working closely with diverse families and goals for educational outcomes.
- Board member of McDaniel High School Urban Farm 2012-2018, Program Assistant in logistics and development
- Community Engagement liaison for Supa Fresh Farm Program 2010-present, Leader of youth programming on small scale farm projects, with annual leadership and job training.
Key Skills Qualifications
- Outstanding Communication Skills
- Exceptionally strong written and verbal skills
- Excellent Team Leader
Timeline
Scraps Food Show 2018
01.2018
Gamay Segment, French Wine Spectator 2017
01.2017
Outstanding in the Field 2017-2019
01.2017 - 01.2019
CEO, CFO, CCO, COO
Vibrant Valley Farm
01.2013 - Current
Lead strategist
Vibrant Valley Farm
01.2013 - Current
Board member of McDaniel High School Urban Farm 2012-2018
01.2012 - 01.2018
Board Member of Portland Parent Union 2008-2013
01.2008 - 01.2013
VVBlue
Vibrant Valley Farm
Apothecary
Vibrant Valley Farm
Classes
Vibrant Valley Farm
Fashion Show
Vibrant Valley Farm
Floral
Food
Japanese Food and Farm Tour 2016
WWOOF- Italy, Argentina, Ecuador
Host, Japanese Government officials in Environmental Studies
Social Media and Content creation
Masters In Education - Leadership in Ecology Culture and Learning -
Portland State
Bachelors in Environmental Studies & Outdoor Education -
University of Oregon
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