Farm Production Lead Job in Washington

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Farm Production Lead Job at Boldly Grown Farm in Skagit Valley, Washington – 2018

Background  

Boldly Grown Farm is a certified organic, mixed vegetable farm in Skagit Valley, WA, about an hour north of Seattle. Our primary focus is efficient and sustainable production of certified organic fall and winter storage vegetables for wholesale markets in Western Washington. We also run a winter CSA program. We believe in working smarter not harder and, wherever possible, utilize scale-appropriate machinery to save time, reduce wear and tear on our bodies, and increase productivity and efficiency through standardization, repeatability, and thoroughness. In addition to our production goals, we are dedicated to sustainability and knowledge sharing with our employees. We are currently located at Viva Farms in Burlington, WA.

Farm Production Lead Job Overview

We are seeking a full-time Production Lead for the 2018 season. This individual will work closely with the owners to help manage and execute all farm tasks, from planning through production, harvest and sales. This position is for someone with prior vegetable farming experience. The ideal applicant is smart, tough, efficient, detail-oriented, comfortable with machinery, ready to work year-round through all weather conditions, possesses a strong interest in food and farming, enjoys working independently and as a part of a team, and is ready for a challenge.

Farm Production Lead Job Duties

• Tillage & planting
• Cultivation & hand weeding
• Irrigation management
• Pest management, including organic spraying
• High tunnel management
• Tractor operation
• Transplant production
• Harvesting, washing and packing
• Order packing and fulfilment
• Inventory management
• Communication with customers
• Deliveries (locally and to Seattle)
• Record keeping (harvest, input, & food safety logs, etc.)
• Tool and equipment maintenance
• Revise and implement food safety plan
• Assorted farm projects as needed
• Other duties as required

Farm Production Lead Job Qualifications

• Minimum 2 season’s experience vegetable farming
• Strong work ethic and excellent attention to detail, product quality and food safety
• Able to maintain positive attitude and morale through long hours in all weather conditions
• Excellent time management, prioritization and organizational skills
• Ability to work efficiently, make decisions on the fly, and complete time-sensitive tasks with minimal supervision
• Takes initiative; committed to ongoing improvements in farm processes
• Able to take direction and learn quickly
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Experience operating farm machinery, or interest in developing knowledge and skills
• Excellent record keeping skills
• Able to adapt between administrative/computer work and physical labor efficiently
• Able to give and receive positive and constructive feedback in a professional manner.
• Great sense of humor, ability to make work fun
• Able to perform physically demanding and repetitive tasks; able to lift 50+ lbs repeatedly
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
• Knowledge of various aspects of diversified vegetable farming, including but not limited to nursery work, transplanting, weed management, irrigation systems, tractor operation, tillage, tractor cultivation, mechanics, harvest, post-harvest handling, packing, sales (wholesale and CSA) and food safety an asset.
• Ability to speak Spanish an asset
• First aid certificate an asset

Schedule

Full-time (including one weekend day) from April 1, 2018 – Feb 28, 2019 with possibility of extension. 10-hour days may be required at times. A laptop will be provided, and administrative work will be done remotely.

Compensation  

Hourly wage is $14-15/hour, depending on experience. One week (40 hours) paid vacation; additional unpaid vacation as desired depending on operational feasibility. Paid sick leave (1 hour accrued per 40 hours worked after 90 days of employment). Possibility of season-end bonus. Free and discounted produce from the farm. Learning opportunities, including all aspects of production and sales on a mechanized, diverse vegetable farm. Possibility of increased responsibility and year-round employment. Housing and transportation not available.

To Apply  for the Farm Production Lead Job 

Send an e-mail to boldlygrownfarm@gmail.com with a cover letter, resume, and list of professional references attached as a PDF. Include “Production Lead” in the subject line. Please include in the e-mail your availability (start and end dates, any planned absences during the season, anything that may prevent you from working the entire season).

Position open until filled.

 

To learn more about farming jobs and internships or to post an opportunity on beginningfarmers.org, go to: https://www.beginningfarmers.org/internship-and-employment-opportunities/