Sébastien Bacharach, originally from France, is an eco-logical designer and educator. He is the former Education Director of the San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners (SLUG) and co-founder of the San Francisco Permaculture Guild. Sébastien became certified as a permaculture designer in the Spring of 2001, at the Permaculture Research Institute, New South Wales, Australia, by internationally renowned PRI Director Geoff Lawton. He then applied his knowledge in many different settings, in France and especially in San Francisco, California.

Sébastien strongly believes in holistic ways of thinking, whole systems design and applies these principles in his personal life and his work.

Highlights of Qualifications:

• Long-term interest in and commitment to sustainable ways of living, organic waste management and Eco-Logical agriculture.
• Over six years of experience with various non-profits and community organizations.
• Expert in small and mid-scale composting systems and techniques.
• Permaculture Design Certificate and Teachers’ Training.
• Good communication and customer service skills.
• Comfortable in team environment and diverse cultural settings.
• Hard worker, fast learner, willing and able to assume responsibility.

Professionnal Experience:

Teaching

• Three years teaching organic gardening, composting and sustainable living practices to adults and children. Leading hands-on workshops, field trips, classes and presentations.

Management / Administration

• Three years managing the residential organic waste management program on behalf of the city of San Francisco.
• Planning, implementing, administering and managing all programs of the San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners’ Education Department and Garden for the Environment.
• Preparing all departmental reports, including billings, monthly and annual reports, and budget forecasting.
• Developing fundraising proposals to maintain and expand department programs.
• Supervising and motivating a team of twelve volunteers in all aspects of the smooth running of Aller-Retour, a non-profit organization dedicated to cultural exchange.
• Co-founding and organizing of Permaculture San Francisco.
• Over two years providing customer service, sales and executive administrative support in travel and tourism.
• Negotiating with artists, performers and venue owners, and making detailed arrangements in events production and planning.

Gardening / Landscaping

• Designing and implementing an organic, family kitchen garden in Southern France.
• Designing and implementing a “food forest” at St. Mary’s Youth Farm in San Francisco, CA.
• Over three years working on small organic farms and homesteads in Australia, California and Canada.

Relevant Employment History:

• Nov 2007 – Jun 2008  Lunch Cook, Amy’s Bakery Arts Cafe, Brattleboro, Vermont
• Apr 2005 – Sep 2007  Worker / Apprentice on small organic farms and homesteads in California, Ontario and Quebec
• Aug 2003 – Mar 2005  Director, Garden for the Environment, San Francisco, California
• Jun 2002 – Jul 2003  Education Department Director, San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners, San Francisco, California
• May 2001 – Sep 2001  Assistant Manager, Le Caravanserail Restaurant, Paris, France
• Mar 2000 – Jun 2000  Executive Administrator, Ackhome International Accomodation Service, Paris, France
• Apr 1999 – Feb 2000  Kitchen Manager, Mocha Beans Café, Salthill, Ireland
• Mar 1995 – May 1998  President / Founder, Aller-Retour non-profit organization, Paris, France
• Sep 1993 – Mar 1995  Executive Administrative Assistant, Images Du Monde Voyages, Paris, France

Education and Skills:

• Permaculture Teachers’ Training, Ocean Song, California (August 2004)
• Gardening and Composting Educator Certificate, San Francisco League of Urban Gardeners (Spring 2002)
• Permaculture Design Certificate, Permaculture Research Institute, Australia (March 2001)
• French equivalent to Bachelor of Arts in Travel and Tourism (June 1993)
• Bilingual in French and English, good level of Spanish
• Familiarity with consensus decision making and Non-Violent Communication
• Proficiency with Word, Excel and Internet Explorer, experience with Dreamweaver 8