Company description

Siena Farms is an award-winning, 50-acre market farm growing diversified produce on the fertile soils of the Sudbury River valley, twenty-five miles west of Boston. We distribute our produce through our 500-member, year-round CSA, the Copley Square Farmers' Market, our two Boston farm stores, and area restaurants including family-owned Oleana, Sofra, and Sarma. We grow our produce using the traditionally-sustainable farming practices of modern, biological agriculture, free of chemical pesticides, herbicides, and synthetic fertilizers.

Job description

We are seeking hard-working, committed, positive individuals who are motivated by a career interest in sustainable agriculture to join our 2019 team for the fall season. Our apprentices participate in many of the farm’s daily operations, including facets of production, harvest, and retail. This traditional, hands-on apprenticeship provides the opportunity to be an integral, productive part of our fast-paced, for-profit farm. Apprentices gain knowledge, farming skills, and professional work-experience to help them prepare for the next steps in their farming careers.

The apprentice position is seasonal, with flexible start and end dates between August and December. Hours range from 50-60 hours per week, (10-12 hour days, 5 days per week). Applicants should be prepared to lift upwards of 50lbs repeatedly and work in all weather conditions.  Previous farming experience is preferred but not required. Compensation includes hourly wage and farm vegetables.  We do not offer on-farm housing.

Responsibilities:

Production

• Planting, including greenhouse propagation and mechanical transplanting
• Cultivation/weed-control by hand and hoe
• Field work such as trellising, pruning, fencing, and thinning

Harvest

• Daily harvest of our 100+ varieties of vegetables, fresh herbs, and sunflowers
• Post-harvest handling, including washing, packing, and distribution

Sales & Distribution

• Preparation and packing of wholesale orders for restaurant deliveries
• Preparation and packing of CSA shares for pickup and distribution
• Sales and customer service at our Boston farmers’ markets
• Participation in farm events such as farm tours and volunteer days

Practical Training Sessions

• Participation in bi-weekly EMass CRAFT farm tours
• Orientation to core farming topics and systems, including crop-planning, field-planning, soil fertility, pest and disease management, irrigation, and farm equipment.

Our Apprentices, like all of our employees, are held to high standards for organization, communication, positive attitude, respect and kindness for coworkers, work quality, and professional agricultural work ethic and schedule.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, under $15/hr

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline