Greenfield Community Farm, Seeking Assistant Growers!

Just Roots and the Greenfield Community Farm - Assistant Grower Posting

Grow Vegetables with us!  Full-time work and Part-time work available.

The Greenfield Community Farm, a project of Just Roots, located in Greenfield, Massachusetts, is seeking Assistant Growers for the 2017 growing season. We are looking for responsible, hard-working and enthusiastic people with whom to share the challenges and rewards of growing healthy food and a sustainable community while we learn from one another.

Who We Are:

Just Roots is a non-profit organization working to increase access to healthy, local food by connecting people, land, resources and know-how. We believe healthy food should be a right, not a privilege. Our programs bring nutrition education, connection to the land and a bounty of fruits and vegetables to our community members, with particular focus on bringing these opportunities to high-risk and low-income residents.  The Greenfield Community Farm’s produce, land and team are key to making our mission a reality.

On the farm, we use organic methods to manage a diverse vegetable operation on a little less than 10 acres that produces food for a 200-member (75% low-income) CSA, farmer’s markets, wholesale accounts, farm-to-school projects and other community events and partnerships.  We are a farm focused on building community, both on and off farm, which means that we are interacting with people of all ages through farm programs, community events, hosting volunteers and providing a space for community gardeners.  We also have a small livestock operation.

We are seeking people who are excited about sustainable farming and eager to take on the wide range of responsibilities associated with running a physically demanding, fast-paced, public and busy production farm. This includes: assisting with all aspects of crop production, greenhouse work, field preparations and tillage, hand and tractor cultivation, harvest and distribution, assistance with animal chores, and working with groups and volunteers. You will also be expected to participate in and help facilitate small and large farm events throughout the season.

Who You Are:

You are responsible, flexible and personable, have at least two seasons of experience working on a production farm, (or are familiar with physically demanding work) and can be happy working as an integral part of a small farm crew. You’re ready to take on the physically demanding schedule, tasks, pace and inevitable challenges of the farm season with consistency and good humor. You’re ready each day to learn, take and give direction, be patient with yourself and others and are excited about working intensely with all types of people. You have the ability and interest to work long hours outside in any type of weather – wind, rain, heat, cold; can comfortably and safely lift and carry 40 lbs. and have a valid driver’s license.

There is also a farmer-in-training aspect to this position, through which you have the opportunity and expectation to participate in group and individual check-ins and goal setting throughout the season.   Ideally you are able and interested in sharing your goals and participating in feedback sessions with your fellow crew members.

Check us out:

http://justroots.org/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYJpPZX1sCE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT_l2TAHaiQ

Compensation:

This is a 33-week position starting April 11, 2017. Hours range from 35-50/week throughout the season and compensation is $11/hour, access to lots of farm veggies and a small educational stipend.  Our regular schedule is Tuesday-Saturdays.  Other benefits include, one week paid vacation, workers comp coverage and discounted meat from the farm.  There is no housing available at this time.

For part-time work—We are hiring for 20 hours/week, $11/hour, for a 30-week season. Start date is flexible.  (mostly morning hours between 8am-12:30).

If you think you may be a good fit for an Assistant Grower position at the Greenfield Community Farm/Just Roots, please send your resume and cover letter to Farm Manager, Meryl LaTronica at:  meryl@justroots.org