Vegetable Farmer Job in Vermont

Vegetable Farmer Job in Vermont for 2016

Farm Description

Sweetland Farm is a diversified family farm in Norwich, Vermont. Started in 2012 on conserved prime agricultural soils on the banks of the Ompompanoosuc River, Sweetland currently crops 5+ acres of sustainably grown vegetables, which supply a 150-member CSA. The rest of the 87 acres of farmland consists of actively managed hay fields, pastures for livestock, a young orchard, and perennial fruit and vegetable crops. In the course of the next few years on the land we will be growing our CSA business to 200+ members, bringing new land into production, expanding our hay-making capacity, managing an abutting woodland, and increasing our pastured meat production. Sweetland Farm is known for its high quality and bountiful vegetable CSA, healthy animals, thoughtful care of the land, and commitment to creating meaningful agrarian experiences for customers and employees. We aim to create a stimulating, interesting, and upbeat workplace for our farm team.

Vegetable Farmer Job:

We are seeking a highly motivated and responsible individual with significant vegetable growing experience to fill this upper level vegetable farmer job and work closely with the head farmer to ensure the success of our farm business. Sweetland is a mid-sized diversified farm and every member of our crew is expected and encouraged to cross train to help support all of our farm enterprises (vegetables, meat production, hay, orchard, and woodlot), but the Vegetable Crops Assistant Farmer will take a lead role on greenhouse work, planting, cultivation and harvesting for our 150-member CSA. Our two Assistant Farmers are an essential part of the farm team and each should be prepared to think and work like a professional farmer; attention to detail, an efficient and strong work ethic, the ability to identify and carry out big-picture projects, the skills to operate and maintain a range of tractors and implements, an inquisitive nature about improved methods, and the capacity to operate with autonomy or effectively lead a small crew are essential attributes.

Job Details and Responsibilities

The successful candidate for the Vegetable Farmer Job is responsible for a working knowledge and supervisory/lead role of the following:

Greenhouse care; mixing potting soil, making soil blocks, seeding, watering, fertility management, pest scouting, organization, hardening off, record keeping

Field seeding; prepping beds, use of 1-row hand seeder, use of crop-rotation plan/field maps, record-keeping

Transplanting; prepping beds, handling fragile seedlings, watering in, use of crop-rotation plan/field maps, record-keeping

Cultivation; hand (scuffle hoes, hand-weeding) and mechanical (basket weeder, flame weeder, tine weeder, sweeps).

Tractor work, including equipment hookup, adjustment and use of vegetable-related implements (disc harrow, chisel plow, rotovator, basket weeder, tine weeder, sweeps, brush hog)

Fertility analysis and implementation of nutrient management plan (includes use/application of organic fertilizers, compost/manure, and seasonal cover crops)

Harvest, wash and pack/display. We harvest our vegetable crops by hand, 2 mornings per week. We offer both on-farm (“buffet” style) and delivered (boxed) CSA shares

Training, overseeing and motivating part-time field crew for vegetable production-related work

Qualifications

Applicants for the Vegetable Farmer Job must have familiarity with a range of vegetable-related farm systems, plant physiology, and soil fertility. Minimum 2 years experience of tractor driving and implement use, especially mechanical cultivating. Proficiency in basic mechanical and carpentry skills. Crew leading experience. Strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Must be able to lift 50 pounds and drive a manual transmission. The successful candidate will embrace the varied and intense work of a start-up farm, have an insurmountably positive attitude, communicate well with a small, close-knit team, work closely with the head farmer to implement a production plan, and be able to manage production pressure and crew dynamics during the height of the growing season.

Remuneration & Schedule

This is a full time (40+ hours per week, plus shared weekend coverage) position. Commitment from April through October required at a minimum, with possibility for part-time season extension. Starting hourly wage ranges from $11-15/hour, depending on skills and experience. Affordable on-farm housing in our beautiful new timber-frame farm labor house is available. We are hiring for the 2016 growing season, but for the right person this could be a long-term position.

To Apply:

If you think Sweetland Farm is a good match for you and you would like to apply to be part of our team, please type answers to the following questions and email to sweetlandvt@gmail.com. We will contact you to set up an on-farm interview if we think you will be a good fit with our farm.

Please tell us about yourself, your interests, and your long-range plans

Previous related work experience, including specifics on tractor experience and vegetable production experience

Any special considerations we should know about (e.g. health, schedule, etc)

Please include a resume and provide 2 references we can contact regarding your work experience.