Jeremy Tardif began his new job as manager of the Bowdoin Organic Garden on Monday, replacing Sara Cawthon. Cawthon has managed Bowdoin’s gardens for the past three years, producing food for the dining halls and supervising student apprentices.

Previously, Tardif, a certified arborist, worked as assistant farm manager and acting farm manager at The Chewonki Foundation in Wiscasset.  More recently, he has been working for a local landscaping company.

Tardif said he’s passionate about working with his hands and supporting local food systems. “Growing food is what I’m about,” he added. “If I can be growing food for a community that I am part of, I’m happy.”

Cawthon is heading to a new farming job at Kieve-Wavus, a nonprofit in Damariscotta that runs a summer camp and works with young students on character building. Cawthon will help expand a new farm program that Kieve-Wavus has launched in partnership with the Maine Farmland Trust.