Pack House Leader Job – Maryland

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Pack House Leader Job at Flying Plow Farm in Maryland – 2019-2020

The Farm

Thank you for inquiring about working on our farm. Flying Plow is a diverse, 56 acre, certified organic farm in Cecil County, MD just a mile outside of “downtown” Rising Sun. Our primary focus is vegetable production for our 200 member CSA and 4 farmers markets. We also do a small amount of wholesaling to a few local restaurants. Most of our working hours are spent around the vegetables, planting, weeding, harvesting, washing, packing, selling, etc.

We currently grow using a bio-extensive vegetable farming method. We have 13 acres in vegetable production with 6.5 acres in cash crops during the season and the remainder in cover crops and bare fallows. Cover crops play a large role on the farm as does our season extension into the late fall and winter with hardy vegetables, caterpillar tunnels, and high tunnels.

Although vegetables make up the bulk of our farming time and our income, we do have quite a large livestock presence. We keep 3 draft horses to help with vegetable tillage, cultivation, and farm chores. During the year we have 150 to 300 layers on the farm, and during the spring and fall we raise several batches of pastured broiler chickens. Finally, we have a small grass-based beef herd and a few pigs here and there throughout the season.

The Community

Our farm sits in the middle of a rural farming community. We rub elbows with grain and beef farmers, grass-based sheep and hay farmers, dairy and cheese producers, and Amish vegetable farmers. During the growing season the farmers in our community often times help each other to get work done, be it by lending equipment or a hand.

We donate produce to several community groups and members who then cook and distribute meals to those in need. Members of the local Catholic parish take produce and cook for homeless veterans weekly during the summer. A friend of the farm takes lots of left over greens and makes traditional Korean meals for elderly friends in her church. We donate food to the local Presbyterian church for their twice month free lunches.

The town of Rising Sun is less than a mile away. There is a locally-owned, independent coffee shop in town, a small diner, a grocery store, music shop, and small theatre. We are 25 minutes from Newark, Delaware, a college town that boasts several restaurants and a great food co-op.

Nearby is Fair Hill State Park, Elk Neck State Park, and Susquehanna State Park, all with great biking, hiking, horse riding, and paddling opportunities.

Pack House Leader Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Responsibilities
  • Sets and maintains quality control and food safety standards
  • Keeps a big picture mentality; has the end in mind when doing the task at hand
  • Ensures all work meets farm’s quality standards, certified organic standards, and food safety standards
  • Maintains an understanding of the ideals, vision, and tone of the farm
  • Continues to improve upon work technique, body position, and hand dexterity in order to work faster for the greater good of the farm and farm team
• Harvest & Pack Responsibilities
  • Maintains accurate harvest/distribution lists and records for CSA, wholesale, and markets
  • Maintains a neatly organized and cleanly harvest, packing, and storage environment
  • Works with the Harvest and Sales Farm Manager with harvest and packing tasks
• Distribution, Sales, & Marketing Responsibilities
  • Maintains organized storage of vegetables, meats, and eggs
  • Staffs CSA pickup, farmers market, and/or farm store
  • Works with the Harvest and Sales Farm Manager to correctly and accurately distribute vegetables to wholesale, CSA, and market outlets. Minor Responsibilities
• Farm Crew Member
  • Assist with production tasks
  • Assist with livestock tasks
  • Assist with farm tasks

Requirements

• 1+ years of experience on for-profit vegetable farm
• Passionate and motivated by the opportunity to work on a diversified, production oriented farm
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to make informed and accurate decisions and work productively under pressure
• Ability to repeatedly lift and carry 70 pounds, to crouch, squat, and bend for long periods of time in all types of weather
• Sense of humor and strong sense of perspective
• Valid driver’s license

Pack House Leader Job Timeframe

• This is a seasonal position from April to the end of November.
• Weekly hours run from 30 to 50 per week.

Pack House Leader Job Compensation

• Hourly pay rate of $13.15 per hour.
• Free produce from the farm.

We allow five personal days during the main growing season.

How to Apply for the Pack House Leader Job

Serious applicants should have a demonstrated interest and passion for small scale, diversified farming. When applying email a cover letter telling us how you became interested in farming and what steps you have taken to advance your interests. Ideal candidates should also supply a resume that shows their experience in farming. Send emails to flyingplowfarm@gmail.com with the job title in the subject.

Flying Plow Farm

Sarah Rider & Tom Paduano

96 Charles Johnson Farm Lane, Rising Sun, MD 21911

443-686-9786 || flyingplow.com

 

• 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/