Biointensive Organic Farmers Jobs in California

Posted on November 17, 2018 by Taylor in Employment, Farmer, Farming, Organic, Sustainable Agriculture // 0 Comments

Help Wanted: Biointensive Organic Farmers for January 2019

Location: Victory Gardens for Peace 44850 Comptche-Ukiah Road Mendocino, CA 95460 and
Ecology Action 5798 Ridgewood Road, Willits, CA 95490
Start Date: TBD. No earlier than January 2, 2019

Description:

Ecology Action is a non-profit organization focused on sustainable agriculture research and education. We are seeking to interview potential long-term full-time biointensive organic farmers to participate as staff members at two separate research and demonstration farms in Mendocino County, CA: near the town of Willits, and near the town of Mendocino. There are four openings, to be filled based on available funding. Start date: no earlier than January 2, 2019. Please note that we are an educational organization, are not a market farm.

Biointensive Organic Farmers Duties & Responsibilities:
Farmers will work closely with Ecology Action Mini-Farm managers, apprentices, interns, members of the public participating in farm tours and workshops, and Ecology Action staff members. Gardening tasks and responsibilities include garden planning, bed preparation, planting, composting, weeding, watering, harvesting, data collection and record keeping. Additional tasks include teaching and outreach (you will receive training in biologically-intensive farming and teaching methods to prepare you for these activities). Specific activities include:

Garden: daily gardening tasks, including seasonal work in the 10,000 sq. ft. raised-bed growing area near Willits, or the 20,000 sq. ft. raised-bed growing area near Mendocino.

Teaching (under the guidance of the Mini-Farm Manager): preparing and teaching GROW BIOINTENSIVE topical and crop classes for students and the public and assisting with the training of interns and apprentices at the site.

Outreach: Assisting with garden tours, and workshops (2 per year).

Research: data collection (crop yield and soil amendment data from, plus assistance with data management.

Biointensive Organic Farmers Optimal Qualifications:

Education & Experience: You have a background in farming, are interested in closed-loop, sustainable, beyond organic agriculture, and are skilled at working the land. Three years of organic agricultural experience, based on a degree in Sustainable Agriculture or related field, or from life experience. Able to work within a farming structure that contains demonstration, teaching and research aspects, and involves working with the public.

Good interpersonal skills: We’re looking for self-starting, solutions-oriented, co-creative team players. The ability to interact with the public, and with our annual group of diverse international interns. Flexibility, patience, a sense of humor, and respect and understanding for others, especially people from other cultures and countries. Cross-cultural experience a plus.

Strong communication skills: Fluency in English is required. Ability to clearly convey information about demonstration, teaching and research garden activities to individuals or groups is important. A secondary language, particularly Spanish or French, is desirable.

Excellent organization and planning skills: Orderly, with meticulous attention to detail, good at keeping track of data and not afraid to take on special projects. Ability to work with Microsoft Office applications—especially Excel; comfortable using Mac OS. Knowledge of data management systems a plus.

Interested in the work we do: The ideal candidate has a desire to live and work in our sustainable farming community; to become an important part in our research and training programs and projects; and to participate in continued training in biologically-intensive farming. To ensure continuity of our research, we are looking for long-term farmers: a minimum 5-year commitment is requested.

Our goal is to train teachers, and help individuals empower themselves to grow all of their own food sustainably. We work with individuals from around the world to help them grow better diets using fewer resources while building soil. If you have skills and interests that you think will fit well with this program, we encourage you to apply!

Biointensive Organic Farmers Salary and Benefits:

Salary: The Biointensive Farmer is a long-term, full-time staff position (40 hours per week), with up to 8 hours of simple overtime pay possible during the 6-month main growing season (~April 15-October 15), with an hourly rate $15 per hour.

Holidays: Holidays: Full-time employees have the following nine paid holidays: New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving (2 days), and Christmas (2 days)..

Medical Stipend/Dental/Vision Reimbursement/Vacation/Sick Leave/Family Emergency Leave for: After completing one year of employment, full-time employees will receive up to $600 reimbursement per year for dental/vision/medical expenses, plus a $200/month stipend to be used towards medical insurance, preventative care, etc.; four weeks of paid vacation annually, including 1 week in August; and up to two weeks of paid sick leave and/or family emergency leave. Exceptions can be made by the Director.

Biointensive Organic Farmers Timeline and Application Procedure:
Please send and application letter and resume with 3 professional references and 3 personal references to:

Ecology Action, 5798 Ridgewood Rd., Willits, CA 95490
or email: contact@growbiointensive.org

Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. Thank you for your interest in dynamic, high yielding, resource-conserving biologically-intensive soil-and-food growing!

—The Ecology Action Team

Ecology Action has spent almost 50 years developing and teaching the GROW BIOINTENSIVE^®Sustainable Mini-Farming Method. This low-tech (but sophisticated) farming method helps small farmers maximize agricultural yields, build soil fertility, and minimize water, energy, and off-farm nutrient inputs. Our work has demonstrated results in communities in the U.S. and worldwide, helping people grow plentiful and nutritious food without depleting precious natural resources. This modern, dynamic method is based on universal scientific principles, combined with millennia-old farming practices. It is successfully being used in 152 countries, in virtually all climates and soils where food is grown. Our programs are centered at the Jeavons Center Mini-Farm located in Willits, CA (inland climate) — and at the Victory Gardens for Peace Mini-Farm in Mendocino California (coastal climate). Our mini-farm program serves as one of the oldest sustainable agriculture research projects in the world. www.growbiointensive.org