Farm Crew Jobs in Vermont – Sweetland Farm

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Farm Crew Jobs in Vermont at Sweetland Farm – 2021

Farm Crew Jobs in Vermont at Sweetland Farm

Sweetland Farm in Norwich, Vermont is seeking experienced, enthusiastic, and reliable people to join the farm crew on our 200-acre diversified farm. Our 8-acre vegetable operation supplies a 350-member CSA and road-side farm stand. The rest of the farmland consists of actively managed hay fields, livestock pastures, perennial crops, and woodlot. The ideal candidate for these farm crew jobs in Vermont is hardworking, motivated, and has a positive attitude in the face of manual labor in all weather conditions. Applicants should have 1 or more years of field experience on a farm of similar scale, or applicable skills gained from other experiences. Our small, tight-knit crew requires that each member of the team be excited and able to tackle a wide array of tasks; from working in the vegetable fields, to tending the animals, to pitching hay bales, to wielding a hammer during carpentry projects.

Sweetland is a relatively new and rapidly expanding farm, where there is a lot of room for our farm crew to learn or hone a diversity of farm-related skills. This is a great opportunity for someone who is looking to work closely with the head farmer and farm managers on nearly every aspect of a diversified production farm. The successful candidate will embrace the varied and intense work of a mid-sized farm, have an insurmountably positive attitude, communicate well with a small, close-knit team, and be able to work long hours outdoors in Vermont’s ever-changing weather.

Work at Sweetland Farm is diverse, ranging from greenhouse production, field crop planting, weeding and harvesting, to building and repairing farm infrastructure, animal chores, customer service and poultry butchering. Employees are often called upon to do different and sometimes tedious jobs in all kinds of weather. Be prepared for hard physical labor, and to be motivated to work efficiently and safely.

Farming is production work. It is important to remember that no matter how simple, tedious, or insignificant a task may appear, everything that you do is important to the overall success of the farm.  The farm earns money by what is actually produced and sold. Since production per hour or day is very important, employees are expected to work quickly and efficiently, to keep up with the pace set by the crew leaders or work mindfully on their own. Make sure that you bring the clothes and snacks that you will need to stay hydrated and happy. Conversation and music during work is a great benefit of farm work, but please be aware of keeping your hands moving while you talk.

Flexibility: We try hard to respect your work-life balance and aim for a 40-hour work week. That said, farm work often has busy times (eg hay days, planting before a rain, harvest before a frost) offset by slower times (eg thunderstorms, shoulder seasons). We ask for your flexibility throughout the season and your understanding of this variability in work flow. We will try to give you reasonable advance notice when we need to deviate significantly from the regular work schedule, and to offset extra hours worked with extra hours off at a different time.

For more information about Sweetland, please visit www.sweetlandfarmvt.com.

Experience and skills required:

• A basic knowledge of farming practices and different farming methods
• Physical strength and stamina; ability to lift 50 pounds, work a full day outdoors, work stooped or standing
• A practical mind
• Problem-solving skills
• The ability to use one’s own initiative
• The ability to work well as part of a team
• Dedication to furthering the successful development of the farming environment
• Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record

Basic responsibilities:

• Planting, caring for and harvesting vegetable crops
• Weed and pest management
• Caring for animals, including feeding, watering, rotational grazing
• Assist on poultry slaughter days
• Assist during haying, 1^st and 2^nd cuts
• Assist with carpentry or other infrastructure projects
• Availability for occasional shared weekend farm coverage (animal chores, watering)
• Uphold high standards for production and presentation of produce
• Interact positively with customers and co-workers

Compensation

• Starting compensation is $11/hour. Compensation also includes a Brimming Basket CSA share ($695 value)
• This one-season position has the possibility of growing into a long-term job if the candidate is a good fit.
• Various on-farm housing is available, please ask if interested

To Apply for Farm Crew Jobs in Vermont:

Email resume, cover letter & 2 work references to sweetlandvt@gmail.com

 

• Learn more about farming and food jobs and internships, or learn how to post a job, internship, or apprenticeship opportunity on beginningfarmers.org here.