Farmers’ Market Associate

New Lands Farm, a project of Lutheran Social Services (LSS), seeks a Farmers’ Market Associate to assist an exciting project which engages recently resettled refugees in growing food for their families and their greater communities in Massachusetts.  LSS is a non-profit, refugee resettlement organization that provides refugees with the support and guidance needed to achieve economic self-sufficiency, community integration and a better future.

About the Position
The Farmers’ Market Associate will be conducting hands-on assistance to new American farmers wishing to sell their fresh vegetables grown on our farm site in Sutton, MA. Farmers represent diverse backgrounds and skills.  The Farmers’ Market Associate will be working directly with New Lands Farm staff to offer one-on-one marketing assistance and increase farmer product sales in Worcester area markets. Position is part-time seasonal: 16-24 hours a week, generally Friday and Saturday, beginning May 5, 2014 and ending October 31, 2014.

Responsibilities:

The Farmers’ Market Associate will support the Program Coordinator and new American farmers in the following:

Training farmers on proper harvest and post-harvest handling basics
Supervising farmers during harvest and post-harvest handling
Tracking farm produce inventory
Staffing the farmers market including: set-up, pricing , coupon processing, and transportation of produce and equipment
Advancing New Lands Farm brand and reputation through good marketing display and customer relations
Tracking farmers’ market  data, sales, and cash flow
Training farmers on use of EBT and various market coupons from WIC and MDAR
Transporting farmer participants to and from farm and market
Employee must be able to work independently and demonstrate a commitment to quality standards of produce and promote the program.

Qualifications:

Passion for promoting local agriculture and knowledgeable about fresh produce
Strong background in growing food (2 years on-farm experience  preferred)
Experience in marketing farm products (1 year preferred)
Comfortable interacting with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds
Ability to work in adverse weather conditions and lift 50 pounds
Strong record keeping, organization and computer skills
Applicant must hold a valid driver’s license and personal transportation vehicle
Able to follow oral and written instructions
High School diploma
Two to three years of experience with basic sales and handling money.
Customer service experience.
Physically able to continuously stand, bend, stop, kneel, reach, twist, lift, and balance

To apply: Send letter of interest and resume to MAjobs@lssne.org. Please reference requisition #05091401