Field and Harvest Job in Massachusetts

Posted on January 31, 2015 by in Employment, Farming // 0 Comments

Field & Harvest Assistant Job – Colchester Neighborhood Farm in Massachusetts - 2015

We are a very unique farm and social enterprise located on the South Shore, about 45 minutes south of Boston. We run a 100 member CSA, two farm stand locations and have a few whole sale customers. Our farm focuses not only on growing healthy organic foods, but also working with adults with special needs. The farm is looking for a field and harvest assistant who has a good understanding of farming, takes initiative and is able to supervise volunteers in the field. The person needs to be enthusiastic and energetic about sustainable agriculture and open to working with developmentally disabled adults. The farm is an 8 acre working certified organic farm, where just over 2 acres will be cultivated for vegetables in 2015. They also have 100 hens on rotational grazing for our Egg CSA, and next year will begin a small flower CSA as well.

Summary of Position:

Farming - growing quality produce for our CSA, farm stand, and wholesale. The Field Assistant is a full-time (40hrs) seasonal job from March until November

Essential Job Functions:

Weed Control: Main responsibility of this position is to use available work crews to stay on top of weed growth in the various fields. The Assistant will be responsible for maintaining a cultivation schedule.

Production: Field production tasks may include transplanting, and thinning of crops.

Harvest: Daily harvest of crops, with assistance from the work crews, to meet CSA, and farm stand needs. Harvest also includes post-harvest washing, packing, and storage of crops.

Marketing: Help be the face of the farm while members pick up shares and customers browse the shelves at our farm stand. Marketing tasks also include packing CSA shares and preparing for markets.

Assistant Qualifications:

Excellent work ethic and positive attitude
Ability to work outdoors an average of 40hrs hours per week in ALL weather conditions
Ability to lift 50 pounds repeatedly
Track daily tasks/time
Help track daily and weekly farm stand and pick-your-own sales
Help prepare records
Willingness and eagerness to learn on a working farm
Background in sustainable agriculture or other outdoor centric jobs
Ability to supervise volunteers
Tractor experience a plus

Perform other similar duties as responsibilities necessitate or as directed by farm manager.

Knowledge and Experience:

A year or several seasons (even better) experience volunteering or apprenticing on an organic or local sustainable mixed vegetable production farm.

A degree in agriculture, or a current agriculture student would be excellent

Compensation

This is a paid position $10-$12hr depending on experience

Housing is available (housing is 7 miles from farm so you must have transportation)

As many vegetables as you can eat.

For more info check out our FB page and Website –

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Colchester-Neighborhood-Farm/144503578923889

https://www.colchesterneighborhoodfarm.com/index.html

If interested in applying for this position please send a resume and cover letter to mmartinez@newenglandvillage.org