STAPLETON — The city's first farmer in residence — at least in this century — is being hired to tend to a Staten island apartment building's organic mini-farm.
Developers of URBY Staten Island brought on consultant Zaro Bates three years ago to help plan the farm and are currently seeking applications for the resident farmer, said a spokeswoman for the company, Ironstate Development.
Bates, who has a bachelor's degree from Cornell University’s Agricultural School, will help Ironstate choose a farmer to take the position — which has a $15,000 to $25,000 yearly salary and a rent-free studio apartment, according to the job listing.
The farmer will maintain a micro-farm including crops and rooftop beehives, collect residents' waste for composting and host community programs like forage walks and workshops, according to the job listing.
The $150 million project, which was first reported by the New York Post, will include 900 residential units with 35,000 square-feet of retail, a public plaza and a communal kitchen with a chef to help residents prepare meals at the former Navy Homeport at 455 Front St.
The first phase of leasing the mix of studios, one and two-bedroom apartments at the first Navy Pier Court building will start this quarter, the developer said.
While they have not announced pricing for the new units, the Post reported rents would range from $1,700 to $2,700 a month.
The site plans to open most of their community spaces by the summer and has announced coffee-chain Coffeed will run an on site cafe.
