Christopher Jarreau

 

Agriculture & Farm CV

 

Objective

To create, innovate, and implement the most sustainable management practices.

 

Qualifications & Background

Botanical Sciences, B.Sc. University of The West Indies.

• Over 15 years of service as a professional Horticulturist, Organic Ag. Consultant, Teacher, Sustainable Farmer, and Eco Business Developer.

• Proficiency of knowledge in the following areas: Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Nutrient Management, Sustainable Agricultural Management, Disease Vectors, Crop Rotations and Cover Crops, Grazing, Organic Certification Standards, Farmer’s Market’s, Farm to Table and CSA principles, Ag. Marketing and Economic Trends.

• Management of projects in diverse working eco-systems and micro-climates.

• Career traverses the Caribbean, Hawaii, South Louisiana, and California.

 

Special Skills

·Demonstrated ability to correctly apply organic fertilizers, nutrients, micro-nutrients, minerals, microorganisms, compost, cover crops, and mulching.

• Adept in correcting plant imbalances and disease.

• Vast knowledge of organic biological chemicals, fungicides, pesticides, herbicides, bio-chemistry, and eco management.

 

Major Studies

• Sustainable Farm Management

• Aquaponics and Aquaculture

• Ecological Pest and Disease Control

• Plantation, Estate, and Resort Horticulture

• Orchard and Vineyard Development

• Agriculture Business, Marketing, and Eco-Tourism

 

Major Crop Expertise

• Coffee

• Grapes (Wine)

• Cocoa

• Citrus

• Sugar Cane

• Coconuts

• Tea

• Mango

• Pineapple

• Banana

• Root Crops

• Greens and Lettuce

• Culinary and Medicinal Herbs

• Vegetables

• Melons

• Berries

• Peaches

• Figs

• Olives

• Nuts

• Various Tropical, Sub-Tropical Fruits and Spices

• Floriculture

 

Software and Management skills

Microsoft Word, Excel Spreadsheets, Data and Record Keeping, Budget and Time Management, Organic Production and Certification, Landscape and Farm Design programs, Greenhouse Production, Irrigation Systems, Labor Management, Horticultural Specimen Care, Native Varieties, Heirloom and Non-GMO Crop Production, Community Outreach, Educational Workshops and Courses, Wildlife Conservation and Ecosystem Preservation.

 

 

Landscape & Horticulture Resume

 

OBJECTIVE

To inspire through efficiency and design. Special attention to detail will be given to the enhancement of overall landscape esthetics and bio-diversity of floriculture. Native, local, and endemic botanical species of the region will be given prominence.

 

MAJOR QUALIFICATIONS

Horticulture and Botanical Sciences, B.Sc. |University of the West Indies |

• Over 18 years of expertise as a professional Horticulturist for estates, hotels, resorts, organic farms, non-profits, schools, universities, cities, and governments.

• Proficiency of knowledge in the areas of integrated pest management, nutrient management, disease vectors, market trends, organic crop production standards.

• Management of projects in diverse working eco-systems and micro-climates.

• Career traverses the Caribbean, Louisiana, Napa Valley, and Hawaii.

• Excellent client relations and comprehension of expectations 

• Abilities to up sale management services, renovations, and new designs.  

 

SPECIAL SKILLS

• Superior sense of design esthetics and horticultural practicality

• Demonstrates ability to produce and apply organic fertilizers from seafood, poultry, compost, micro-organisms, and botanically based sources.

• Adept in correcting imbalances and dis-ease in plant specimen.

• Vast experience working with non-toxic botanical and biological based organic fungicides, pesticides, and herbicides.

 

MAJOR STUDIES

• Estate and Resort Horticultural Management

• Ecological Pest and Disease Control

• Plantation, Orchard, and Vineyard Development

• Agricultural Business and Eco-Ag-Tourism Management

• Landscape and Turf Management

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

 

Private Horticulturist and Mason| Louisiana

June 2014- Current

Rate Private $25-$40/hr.

 

Private Estate Horticulturist and Mason| Hawaii & Napa Valley| Dec 2013 – June 2014

Rate Private $30-$60/hr.

• Created custom masonry patio and walkway

• Managed organic agricultural crops

• Maintained and designed fine estate gardens and landscapes

 

Horticultural Manager| New Orleans & Metairie, La | June 2013 – Dec 2013 |Rate $30/hr. |Salary $1,200/wk.

• Oversee maintenance crews and landscape foremen

• Implementation of the best organic management practices for over 50 premium clients

• Maintain client relations, concerns, and up sales

• Diagnose and correct imbalances in plant health

• Direct and apply organic horticultural products

• Routinely consult and partner with Landscape Architect / Landscape Operations Manager

 

Horticulture Ag. Consultant | Kona, Hawaii | Nov. 2012 – April 2013 | Rate $30-$40/hr.

• Advised coffee, avocado, pineapple, and citrus farm on best management practices

• Prescribed management strategies for disease vectors

• Recommended improved organic production techniques

 

Horticulture Ag. Consultant | Napa & Sonoma, Ca. | June 2012-November 2012 | Rate $40/hr.

• Made inputs to a future high elevation boutique winery, farm, spring water source, and 200/ac preserve overlooking Alexander Valley and the Russian River wine growing region

• Directed vision of planned production towards upscale restaurants and tourism

• Land surveying, soil testing, and developmental strategies

• Managed culinary gardens

• Consulted other farms in Napa and Sonoma County

 

 

Private Horticulturist | New Orleans, La. | Spring 2010- Spring 2012 | Rate $25-$40/hr.

• Provided horticultural service to hotels, casinos, estates, farms, and restaurants

• Volunteered services to non-profits and educational institutions

• Assisted neighborhood associations and community gardens

• Designed and installed new landscapes for clients

 

Horticulture Consultant and Orchard Development |Charenton, La. | Fall 2009- Spring 2010 | Orchard Contract $25,000 plus Organic Management Manual

• Planned out and developed 10/ac Sustainable Black Walnut Plantation

• Work performed at sensitive site bordering bayou, thousands of acres of sugarcane production, and The Chitimacha Nation Native American Tribal Reservation.

• Created and wrote organic management manual for plantation

 

Organic Nutrient Management and Fertilizer Consultant Coffee | Kona, Hi | Summer 2009|Salary $1,000/wk.

• Transitioned 200/ac conventional coffee farm to organic fertilization

• Interpreted soil test data and made calculated recommendations

• Located and advised in the importation of organic nutrients to the islands

• Implemented and gave oversight during tractor application on steep sensitive terrain

• Farm and roasting company won best coffee of the year 09’ Kona, Hawaii

 

Horticulturist for private Japanese Garden & Rare Tropical Botanical Collection| Kona, Hawaii |Spring- Summer 2009 | Rate $40/hr.

• Pruned and cleaned up entire rare botanical collection (over several acres)

• Maintained many varieties of palms, bamboo, fruit trees, orchids, rare flowering trees, and unique flower species from around the world

• Tasks performed in steep and terraced environments

 

Resort Horticulturist for private Oceanside residence in Four Seasons Hualalai Resort | Kona - Kohala Coast, Hawaii |Winter 2008- Spring 2009 | Rate $60/hr.

• Prepared organic Horticulture applications to severely infested tree specimen

• Eliminated all pest and disease vectors with botanical and biological formulations

• Completed landscape renovations and improvements throughout property

 

Horticulture & Ag. Consultant for coffee and tropical fruit production| Kona, Hawaii | Summer 2007- Winter 2008| Rate $20 - $30/hr.

• Partnered  with local farmers to improve sustainable management techniques

• Assisted USDA/NRCS with implementation of conservation measures throughout the coffee belt

 

Horticulturist and Lead Garden Teacher at Samuel Green Charter School | New Orleans, La. |Fall 2006 – Spring 2007| Rate $20/hr.

• Taught garden and culinary classes to students

• Made local botanical recommendations

• First Alice Waters Edible Schoolyard outside Berkley, Ca.

 

Horticulturist and Community Advocate | New Orleans, La. |Spring 2006 – Summer 2006 | Rate Volunteered Expertise

• Represented New Orleans at the annual Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group convention

• Constructed, Sat on non-profit boards, and assisted community in developing sustainable gardens in New Orleans.

• Returned home to offer aid in rebuilding community green space and gardens devastated in Hurricane Katrina

 

Horticulturist and Organic Producer | Big Island, Hi | summer 2005 – Spring 2006 | Rate $20/hr. plus profit share

• Relocated to Big Island after losing home and community gardens to hurricane Katrina

• Partnered with friends in managing small CSA farm producing quality cocoa, coconuts, mangoes, avocadoes, citrus, passion fruit, pineapples, bananas, dragonfruit, lychee, starfruit, and more.

• Managed farmers market stands and gave tours

 

Horticulture and Science Teacher at A.P. Tureaud School| New Orleans, La. | Spring 2003 – Summer 2005 | Rate $20/hr.

• Created curriculum with emphases on conservation of local ecology  and preservation of regional biodiversity

• Produced bountiful crops and medicinal herbs for students and community use

• Established George Washington Carver Ethno-Botanical Gardens in inner city ghetto

 

Conservation Horticulturist and Landscape Foreman | New Orleans, La. | Spring 2000 – Spring 2003| Rate $20/hr.

• Employed as a Horticulturist for several leading landscape designers

• Maintained hotels, restaurants, estates, and private residences

• Directed in field conservation measures to protect endangered coastal deltas, estuaries, wetlands, and marsh areas

• Teamed with local restaurant to create healthy authentic New Orleans Creole and Ital Caribbean dishes

 

Horticulturist, Viticulture Apprentice, health food store position, and Teen Center Counselor | Napa Valley, Ca. | Winter 1997 – Winter 1999 |Rate $10 - $ 15/hr.

• Co-created Teen Center for the City of St. Helena, Ca.

• Focused on culinary arts, agriculture, local ecology, computer labs, game room, music room, tutoring, and environmental awareness projects.

• Apprenticed as a Master Viticulture student

• Natural foods store employee

 

Horticulture Student University of the West Indies & Resort Horticulture Intern | Jamaica & St. Lucia, W.I. Caribbean | Spring 1994 – Winter 1997 | Rate $10 - $15/hr.

• Accomplished assignments and tasks with great proficiency

• Mastered necessary skills for rapid advancement

• Exhibited various techniques and methods with natural competence

• Excelled in grasping overall comprehension of educational material

 

Software and Applicable Skills

 

Microsoft Word, Excel Spreadsheets, Data and Record Keeping, Budget and Time Management, Organic Production and Certification, Landscape Design, Greenhouse Production, Labor Management, Horticultural Specimen Care,  Estate and Resort Management, Educational Workshops, Trainings, and Courses.