Seeking 2 Farm Assistants for 2016

Gibbet Hill Farm (http://www.gibbethillfarm.com/) is a small, diversified farm located in picturesque Groton, MA.  The farm is part of the Webber Restaurant Group, which is an independent, family-owned restaurant group that is committed to furthering the local food movement. The farm is dedicated solely to supplying produce and meat to the 5 chefs within the restaurant group.  Two of the venues (Gibbet Hill Grill and The Barn at Gibbet Hill) are located on the farm and customers are highly encouraged to hike the walking trails and visit with the farmers and livestock.  The other venues are located in Harvard (Fruitlands Museum Café), Hingham (Scarlet Oak Tavern) and Burlington, MA (Fireside Catering and The Bancroft).  In combination with the onsite restaurants, 3 farm-to-table dinners are hosted each season and new this year, we will be hosting an annual fall farm festival.

We farm a mix of annual and perennial fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers, and raise a small herd of lamb on our main site (~3 acres).  We lease an additional acre on The Groton School’s property in town, where we raise more annual vegetables.  In exchange for the land, we provide produce to the school’s cafeteria and host several volunteer days with the students throughout the growing season.  We also tend to a small garden at the Hingham site.  Our goal is to eventually become a four season farm and expand our winter hoop house growing.  We donate excess produce to Loaves and Fishes when possible and sponsor an annual Walk for Hunger to help benefit local food pantries.  

We are now taking applications for an Assistant Manager and 2 Farm Assistants to work side-by-side with the farm manager at the forefront of the farm-to-restaurant movement in New England.  Gibbet Hill Farm is a small farm with a big heart and is part of an amazing larger family in the restaurant world.  The farm manager here has a lot of enthusiasm and energy and is looking for a team that is just as enthusiastic and loves to farm no matter what the conditions.  We are looking for individuals who are energetic, friendly, and passionate about a career in sustainable agriculture.  Individuals must be excited for the physically demanding schedule, tasks, and pace of the farm season.  Although we are small, we have a lot going on, so being able to multitask and to see the big picture are key.  Ideally, you are someone who loves working hard towards a great goal, has an awesome positive attitude and works well both in a team and independently.  All motivated applicants who are seriously considering a career in farming and the local food movement are welcome to apply.

Farm Assistant Description:

The Farm Assistant works with the Farm Manager and Assistant Manager on all aspects of field and greenhouse work at both the farm and the satellite field at the Groton School; including field preparation, seeding, planting, weeding, and harvesting.  Tractor work is available for qualified persons.  Farm Assistants also make restaurant deliveries and perform the livestock chores.  Farm Assistants tend to the small garden at the Hingham site.  Apprentices will also help lead any volunteer or student groups that come to work on the farm.  The Farm Manager firmly believes in learning through doing and aims to provide an intensive working and learning experience.  Applicants that are willing to take full advantage of a New England growing season will be very successful at this job.

Essential Job Functions:

•     Field Work
•     Restaurant Deliveries
•     Livestock Chores
•     Instructing volunteers
•     Greeting and directing visitors to the farm and surrounding trails
•     Acting as a liaison between the farm and customers (chefs) and the general public (attending Farm Dinners, CRAFT meetings, and other community events, working with Groton School)
•     Small construction projects

Qualifications:

•     Farm experience is not a must but is highly encouraged.
•     Must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid driver’s license.
•     Must like working in the outdoors, in all weather conditions; hot, cold, rain, wind, high humidity, buggy, etc.
•     Punctuality and having good time management skills are key.
•     Must be good at making observations, following instructions and asking questions.
•     Must be a cooperative, supportive team player and also be able to work independently.
•     Self-motivated, time and detail oriented, and the ability to be organized are key.
•     Must be comfortable working at a face pace and being flexible about changing up tasks depending on weather and other uncontrollable factors.
•     Must have a desire to learn sustainable farming practices and to help grow the continued success of the farm.
•     A good sense of humor and patience go along way while working on a farm.
•     You must be able to lift 50 lbs repeatedly.
•     Must be able to work with tools such as harvest knives, hoes, shovels and weed whackers.
•     Must be able to bend repeatedly, stand for long periods of time, work on their knees and complete repetitive work with their hands such as hand weeding and harvesting berries.
•     Livestock can act in unpredictable ways; must be comfortable working with animals.
•     Qualified Farm Assistants may also be expected to be trained on tractors.

Hours and Compensation:

Farm Assistants are employed from mid-April until the end of October.  The hours worked/week will fluctuate with the growing season, ranging from 30-45 hours/week, 5 days a week.  A maximum of 5 unpaid vacation days are available to be taken all at once or spread out through the season.  The position pays $11/hr plus (overtime is paid for any hours over 40).  Produce from the farm and a free staff meal is served everyday in the restaurant at 3pm, which is available for you to have as a take-home meal.  Discounts are available at all the restaurants.  Free admittance to the farm-to-table dinners is provided.  Farm Assistants will be highly encouraged to attend the biweekly emassCRAFT meetings to further their learning experience.  Housing may be available.

Applying:

Interested persons should email a resume and cover letter to Farm Manager, Molly DellaRoman at molly@gibbethill.com.