Round the Bend Farm hiring Apprentice Grower

Round the Bend Farm, along with Ashley’s Produce in Dartmouth, MA is offering a full-time, seasonal position for Apprentice Grower, averaging 40-50 hours per week from May through October or November 2017.

Round the Bend Farm (RTB), a Center for Restorative Community located in Dartmouth, Massachusetts is a working farm and non-profit.  We are a living laboratory that cultivates, educates, and empowers change agents.  We are devoted to the global paradigm shift toward hope and abundance by valuing diversity, modeling nature, and redefining wealth.

Ashley’s Produce is run by RTB Agripreneur Ashley Brister, and her mission is to produce nutrient dense fruit, vegetables, and herbs in order to contribute to the overall health of the soil, plants and people that make up the community here at RTB and the larger South Coast community. 

RTB and Ashley are seeking an Apprentice Grower to join the farm community as a full-time, seasonal employee.  We are looking for a highly motivated and energetic individual, passionate about the mission, to work alongside Ashley for the upcoming 2017 growing season. The Apprentice Grower will aid Ashley in all aspects relating to vegetable production and land management.  These tasks will include but are not limited to:  planting, weeding, irrigation, harvest, wash-up, the distribution of vegetables and cultivation. Our Apprentice Grower is also expected to be able to keep farm work happening at an efficient pace.

In addition to working with Ashley on vegetable production the Apprentice Grower will be working with our permaculture specialist and resident foodie on our perennials and kitchen garden.  Lastly, you will be expected to participate in the overall mission of Round the Bend Farm and contribute to communal living (including participating in household and farm chores), farm fresh cooking and supporting educational events.

QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate is a hardworking, self-starter and finisher, who is open to new ideas, comfortable working with their hands and passionate about local food systems.  Ideally, we are looking for someone who will contribute and thrive in a communal living situation and has done so previously.  In addition, we would like the Apprentice Grower to have past experience working or volunteering on a farm, or related non-profit.

Qualifications required are:
Highly energetic, with a strong work ethic (enjoys physical labor)
A desire to respect and care for soil and animals (humans included)
A desire to participate in local, vibrant community
Dependable, tidy, flexible, open-minded and self-aware
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to accept direction and guidance
Ability to work with a diverse group of people
Ability to work outdoors, in all conditions, for long hours
An organized, “can-do” attitude
A good sense of humor
Must have a valid driver’s license
Must be able to lift 50 lbs.

Note:  Although no farming experience is necessary, preference will be given to candidates who have an active interest in pursuing a career in farming and/or the environmental and social justice issues pertaining to both local and global food systems.

COMPENSATION
There will be a monthly stipend of $800.00.  RTB will provide room and board and internet access.  Housing will include a private place to sleep (in a tiny house) and a shared kitchen/dining/library space with laundry facilities available.  Culinary preparation of farm-based dinners is included Monday-Friday evenings.   Educational training in ecological horticulture and organic farming and gardening will be available, consisting of field trips to other farms in the area and opportunities to learn about additional aspects of RTB’s operation, including livestock management, food preservation and natural building.  Ten paid days off per season are also included. 

HOW TO APPLY
Please send cover letter, resume and references to Desa Van Laarhoven via email (preferred) at desa@roundthebendfarm.org, or you can mail them to Desa at Round the Bend Farm at 92B Allens Neck Road, Dartmouth, MA 02748.