Farmers Market and Flower Apprentice – SC

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Farmers Market and Flower Apprentice Positions Available at Wild Hope Farm in Chester, South Carolina – 2020 Season

Wild Hope Farm is a sustainable farm in Chester, SC, using organic practices and permaculture design to grow fresh produce, flowers, and pasture raised laying hens. We are currently growing on 6+ acres of certified organic production and 6 acres of cover crop for production in spring of 2020. The 220 acre property consists of greenhouses, walking trails, a 10-acre pond, and diversified natural areas. Our produce is sold through a 150-300 person farm share, to local chefs, and at the Matthews Farmers Market. We host complementary on-farm events including retreats, weddings, farm-to-table dinners, and educational workshops to cultivate community and encourage people to learn about our farming practices.

Farmers Market and Flower Apprentice Positions
We are seeking strong, efficiency-focused people with experience and passion who aspire to run their own farm some day. The apprentices are integral members of our small team at Wild Hope Farm. During the 8 month program you will get exposed to all aspects of organic farming and deepen your knowledge of our organic farming methods, produce and operations, beekeeping, season extension, cover cropping, no-till methods, compost heat extraction, pasture raised chickens, soil quality, harvesting and packing, customer delivery, and selling. You will become familiar with our modern equipment (see list on job description below) and be trained on usage. We will assess your development and coach you towards operating independently over the time with us.

The Farmers Market and Flower Apprentice Work Schedule – early April through the end of November 2020
The work at Wild Hope Farm is seasonal and the length of the workday varies within the busy season. Apprentices work 45-50 hrs over a 5 day work week. The pay for agricultural work at Wild Hope Farm is exempt from overtime pay.

Monday, Tuesday, Weds & Friday – 6:00 AM – 2:45 PM during peak summer and 7:00 AM – 3:45 in the early spring/fall (periodic break 15 minute breaks & 45 min lunch break), Saturdays 5:45 AM – 1:00 PM

MARKET RESPONSIBILITIES
With an expanding CSA program and busy market booth, the Matthews Farmers Market is a significant sales channel for the farm. The farmers market apprentice is responsible for all aspects of running our booth at the farmers market and CSA drop-off from late April through November.

• Lead the planning, preparing and packing for the Farmers Market on Fridays
• Set-up and break-down of the market booth on Saturday
• Record keeping of market sales using the Square App
• Monday morning recap to team of market sales

FLOWER RESPONSIBILITIES
In addition to selling cut flowers at the farmers market, we also do a 10 week flower CSA, wholesale to florists, and do arrangements for special events.

• Assist with and eventually lead cut flower harvesting and arranging 2-3 days/week
• Weekly weeding, transplanting, and direct seeding in the flower garden
• Ensuring electric fence is properly grounded, turned on and charged
• Adjusting irrigation timer as needed and fixing irrigation leaks in the flower garden area

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct seeding, transplanting, weeding, harvesting, washing and storing of crops
• Tending our pasture raised chickens (moving fences, collecting eggs)
• Safe operation of tractors and other farm equipment
• Packing farm shares

QUALIFICATIONS

• People person – able to interact with farm share members and others who visit our booth
• Ability to stay calm in stressful situations like running the booth at peak hours (8-9:30 am) or dealing with a difficult customer
• Experience driving a truck and trailer (or willingness to learn)
• Experience in retail or food sales is a plus
• Experience with physical labor or intense outdoor activity – able to lift 50 lbs
• Ability to harvest efficiently and maintain the fast pace of a production farm with a positive attitude
• Ability to work in all types of weather (hot, rainy, and cold)
• Experience with tractor equipment and attachments
• Must have reliable transportation
• Curiosity, Sense of humor, Flexibility

EDUCATIONAL VALUE
Our apprentice program is a hands-on working/learning experience designed to move dedicated candidates towards farm management. We accept people from all backgrounds who want to explore agriculture as a career option.

Apprenticeship Goals/Evaluation: As part of our program orientation, apprentices are encouraged to identify in writing what they hope to accomplish from their apprenticeship. After three to four weeks we will meet with each  apprentice to help with the development of realistic goals and to confirm our mutual (farmer and apprentice) expectations for learning. This document will be revisited for periodic evaluation and reviewed in detail in early summer. We will make every effort to tailor each experience to the expressed needs of each participant.

Daily Meeting: The farm crew convenes every morning to clarify the day’s program and make alterations
due to the weather and other events.

Orientation: During the first week we will conduct an orientation to go over safety policies, farm policies, and the location and names of buildings and equipment. We will review the farm calendar, begin to set vacation times, go over job responsibilities (household, animals, greenhouse, distribution, etc.) and start figuring out how to live in community together.

Study Materials: All apprentices have access to written learning materials to increase their understanding of Wild Hope Farm in particular and farming in general. These materials include crop plans, seed orders, planting schedules, maps, overall farm plans, and supporting information. In addition there is a small farm library from which apprentices are welcome to borrow books.

EQUIPMENT EXPOSURE
During your time at Wild Hope Farm, you will have an opportunity to learn how to drive the tractor and get experience using some of the following equipment/attachments: John Deere 4720 and 2720 hydrostatic tractors, automated CSA delivery trailer, flail mower, disc harrow, bed shaper, drip tape applicator, roller crimper, PTO driven manure spreader, rotary mower, potato digger, chisel plow, and a three point hitch cultivation toolbar with sweeps, crescent hoes, spider wheels and S tines.

BENEFITS

• Employees are paid $1,100/month
• Provided housing on the farm in our rustic farm huts, communal kitchen and hangout space with attached bathrooms and showers
• Provided fresh produce from the farm
• Unparalleled learning opportunity of working under our experienced and innovative farm manager, Shawn Jadrnicek
• Opportunity to plan and host your own community event (e.g., workshop or farm-to-table event)

TIME OFF
The following guidelines on vacation and personal time assume an apprenticeship running from early April through the end of November.

Vacations: Each apprentice is given one week paid vacation (5 days), which ideally will be taken at one time between July 1 and September 15. Vacation times will be scheduled at the beginning of the season, trying to take all needs into account.If you need to miss a market or two over the season, you will need to give Peanut a 2 week notice to coordinate another market lead.

Personal Time: It is expected that there will be some need during the season for every apprentice to take some personal time, whether for car repairs, doctor’s appointments, or other personal needs. Each apprentice may take up to 2 personal days each season. These personal days do not need to be taken as “full days.” It is expected that except for emergencies, a week’s notice will be given about the need for personal time.

Sick Time: When you’re sick, please don’t work. If health circumstances arise that cause you to miss more than 7 days of work during the season due to illness, there will need to be some discussion as to whether the apprenticeship is the right situation for you at this time. Sick days that are not taken as the personal day will go unpaid.

PERSONNEL & GENERAL POLICIES
Safety Policies: We will review safety policies during the first week of orientation. All apprentices are required to follow safety policies at all times. Failure to do so may result in immediate dismissal.

Drugs and Alcohol: Illegal drugs are not permitted on the farm property at any time (this includes the apprentice cabins). Alcohol is permitted in moderation. It is unacceptable to work while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. One infraction may be cause for immediate dismissal.

Visitors: Visitors are welcome for up to 1 week. Family and friends are expected to work at least ½ days along with the farm crew, following our normal schedule. Visits longer than a week are subject to the wishes of other apprentices and the farm family.

Pets: Apprentices must leave their pets at home.

General Demeanor: It is expected that all apprentices be prompt, dressed appropriately for work, and professional in their attitude at work.

Tools and Work Clothes: The farm provides harvest knives and daily hand tools. They must be returned to the shed at the end of the day. Apprentices must provide any other desired tools or work clothes (pocket knives, rain boots, rain gear, hats, gloves).

Apply for a Farmers Market and Flower Apprentice Position Today!
After you have read this description in its entirety , please send us one email only to katherine@wildhopefarm.com with:
1. Subject line: Apprentice Application, (Your Name)
2. Cover letter detailing your interest in our program
3. Responses to the questionnaire below
4. Resume
5. Three references, work- or farm-related, with current phone numbers

If your qualifications meet our standards we will contact you to schedule an interview. Unfortunately we cannot reply to all applicants.

Questionnaire:
1. Why are you interested in Wild Hope Farm?
2. What previous experience are you bringing to this position and what do you feel you have to offer?
3. What practical skills do you hope to acquire?
4. What are your personal goals related to farming?
5. Do you have any prior injuries to back, knees, etc. that might limit your ability to do farm work?
6. The Apprentices all live and work together on the farm. Do you have any experiences living and working in this type of environment?
7. Do you have any allergies, food restrictions, or other physical limitations that might affect your ability to live in a rural setting and do farm work?
8. Please tell us something interesting about yourself (hobbies, obsessions, talents, etc.)

If you are considered for the Farmers Market and Flower Apprentice position, we require a 1-2 day working interview on the farm.

 

• Learn more about farming and food jobs and internships, or learn how to post a job, internship, or apprenticeship opportunity on beginningfarmers.org by going to https://www.beginningfarmers.org/internship-and-employment-opportunities/