The Neighborhood Farm is a small, all natural vegetable farm growing on about 5 acres in Westport, MA. 2023 will be our first season growing entirely in Westport. For the last 15 years, we were farming in the greater Boston area, and for the last 2 years we were farming in both Westport and in Greater Boston. We are excited to focus our efforts on the Southcoast this season, and we have many projects underway as we reestablish the farm in Westport.
We grow vegetables, herbs, and seedlings for farmers markets, our online store (our current version of a CSA program), and our on site farm stand. We grow and market our produce year round. Our mission is to grow healthy, local, all natural food, to demonstrate the practicality of intensive growing in small spaces, and to encourage, educate, and support people in growing their own food.
We grow a little bit of everything, but we're best known for our many varieties of specialty garlic, heirloom tomatoes, and thousands of seedlings. We grow organically - we don’t use synthetic fertilizers, GMO seeds, herbicides, or pesticides - but we aren’t certified organic.
We are a caring, friendly, hard working farm. Many of our crew members return year after year, but we need a few more sets of hands this season. We are looking for full time and part time crew members to work both on the farm and/or at our farmers markets. Depending on their availability and interest, crew members might work on various aspects of vegetable and seedling production, including planting, weeding, irrigation, greenhouse work, harvesting, washing, packing, and selling at farmers markets and the farm stand.
Previous farm experience is great, but not as important as listening skills, dependability, enthusiasm, and a willingness to work hard. Working on a farm has many rewards, but it has its challenges too, and so we look for people with a positive attitude, who enjoy being part of a team, and who can remain upbeat even when it's raining, or hot, or when you just wish you were at the beach. Weather conditions often alter our plans, so ideal candidates are flexible and are able to change direction easily.
Preference is given to candidates able to work the full season from spring through late December. Year round work may be available for those interested.
Candidates will need to perform repetitive physical tasks, work outside in all weather conditions, and work quickly and carefully. Candidates must have local housing (there is no housing on this land) and reliable transportation (we are not accessible by public transportation.)
Compensation starts at $16/hour and is based on experience level, willingness to assume responsibility, availability (full time or part time), and commitment for the season. Crew members also get lots of vegetables and seedlings from the farm.
To apply: email Kate at theneighborhoodfarm@gmail.com for an application.