Manuel Garcia
Oakland,CA
Summary
Over the past nine years, I have had the joy of immersing myself in the world of urban agriculture and education programs. I am deeply committed to empowering communities through sustainable food systems, environmental stewardship, and experiential learning. My experience encompasses a diverse range of roles, from coordinating school garden initiatives to managing urban farm programs that serve as outdoor classrooms for students of all ages and managing farmer market sales. I have had the opportunity to inspire and educate countless individuals about the importance of local food production, healthy eating habits, and the interconnectedness of humans and their environment.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Edible School Garden Specialist
The Center at OUSD
08.2022 - 08.2024
- Collaborate with school administrators and staff in garden design and implementation, considering factors such as sunlight exposure, water access, soil quality, and space constraints
- Developed planting guides and recommend suitable plant varieties for school gardens based on local climate and growing conditions
- Provided support to over 50 schools with acquiring necessary resources, such as garden tools, soil amendments, irrigation systems, and planting materials
- Conduct training sessions and workshops for teachers, staff, and volunteers across the school district on topics such as garden planning, planting techniques, pest management, and composting
- Planned and managed a Summer Garden Internship program for High School students where we provided mentorship and support on urban farming practices
- Used Google Suit to track seeding and planting schedules
- Streamlined garden maintenance processes by organizing tools and equipment efficiently for daily use.
- Promoted sustainability through eco-friendly gardening practices such as composting and organic pest control methods.
Ecoliteracy Educator
Cleveland Elementary School/OUSD
08.2019 - 06.2022
- Responsible for building a curriculum and teaching grades K-5 on agroecology, permaculture, and ethnobotany
- Fostered student curiosity and interest through creative hands-on activities.
- Executed experiments that drive innovation, soil restoration and land stewardship in our gardens
- Coordinated wellness workshops and initiatives in the community leveraging the gardens to amplify the benefits of agroecology
- Facilitated workshops with OUSD Garden Stewards and Food Corp members on soil health, cover crops and student engagement
- Inspired a community culture that fosters equity and equality of experience and opportunity for wellness
Urban Farm Manager
Fleet Farming
01.2016 - 04.2018
- Operated and managed urban farming projects across Orlando researching and developing best organic practices in our zone
- Managed farm staff efficiently, providing training and guidance in food production and community engagement.
- Oversaw our farmer market stand operations in three different farmer markets across the city.
- Lead adult and youth education programs living in food deserts on topics such as nutrition, gardening and environmental awareness
- Operated the logistics and systems for harvesting and distributing produce to various local restaurants
- Maintained a safe working environment by enforcing safety protocols and conducting regular inspections of facilities and equipment.
- Collaborated with other Non Profits whose values and mission aligned with our programs mission to increase local food accessibility
Education
Permaculture Certificate -
Santa Cruz Permaculture
Santa Cruz, CA01.2021
GROW Biointensive Sustainable Mini Farming -
Victory Gardens of Peace
Mendocino City, CA01.2020
University of Central Florida - Interdisciplinary Studies- Environmental and Social Sciences Track, Minor in Nonprofit Management
University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL04-2018
Sustainability Practitioner Facilitator -
Costa Rica
01.2015
Safety Technician Certificate -
Ftec
01.2012
Skills
- Soil Health Restoration
- Urban Farming expertise
- Composting
- Strong Communication Skills
- Team Leadership
- Coaching
- Project Management
- Community Engagement
- Sales
- Multicultural Competency
Certification
Permaculture Certificate
GROW Biointensive Farming
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Portuguese
Professional Working
Timeline
Edible School Garden Specialist
The Center at OUSD
08.2022 - 08.2024
Ecoliteracy Educator
Cleveland Elementary School/OUSD
08.2019 - 06.2022
Urban Farm Manager
Fleet Farming
01.2016 - 04.2018
Sustainability Practitioner Facilitator -
Costa Rica
Safety Technician Certificate -
Ftec
Permaculture Certificate
GROW Biointensive Farming
Permaculture Certificate -
Santa Cruz Permaculture
GROW Biointensive Sustainable Mini Farming -
Victory Gardens of Peace
University of Central Florida - Interdisciplinary Studies- Environmental and Social Sciences Track, Minor in Nonprofit Management
University of Central Florida