Company description

Front Porch Farm is a 110-acre diverse organic farm situated on the Russian River just 10 minutes from downtown Healdsburg in Northern California. Each year we grow roughly 10 acres of vegetables and berries, 5 acres of cut flowers, 2 acres of Floriani flint corn, 15 acres of wine grapes, and maintain a plethora of fruit trees. With ecological farming principles at the heart of what we do, we strive to be responsible stewards of the land.

At the height of the season the days are long and tasks can be strenuous, so we aim to build a team with a strong work ethic that supports each other in maintaining a positive & healthy working environment. We strive to find the delicate balance between working hard and having fun. Our community is bilingual and multicultural, and some of our farm’s core values are inclusivity and connection across these lines. We work 40-50 hours per week on the farm with occasional weekend responsibilities.

Our 5-acre flower operation churns out blooms from February to November which supply 3 farmers markets, two weekly deliveries to the Bay Area, a handful of local florists and small groceries and feed into our in-house floral design studio. We grow over 300 varieties of flowers. It’s hard to pick a few favorites, but some main characters through the season include ranunculus, anemones, sweet peas and peonies in the spring, garden roses and dahlias in the summer and chrysanthemums and specialty marigolds in the fall.

Job description

We are looking to add two hard working individuals to our flower crew this season. As a member of the flower crew you will join a team of experienced farmers to plant, care for and harvest 5 acres of cut flowers which we provide to florists, groceries, retail customers and for use in our in-house design work. One of these positions will also represent the farm at our weekly local farmers market, staffing the Healdsburg stand on Saturdays, and the other one will include 2 delivery days each week. 

This is a seasonal, hourly position with a 5 day work week, either Monday-Friday or Tuesday - Saturday. Hours may be variable and long depending on the time of year. Work is guaranteed from April through October. Potential to turn into a long-term position for the right candidate. On-farm housing available in the form  of a tent cabin or airstream trailer.

Primary Tasks and Responsibilities:

Flower Crew: 

❏ Harvest flowers efficiently and consistently for a variety of markets.

❏ Post-harvest handling: process and prep flowers for wholesale and retail outlets.

❏ Fieldwork: planting, weeding, pinching, staking, netting, mulching, pruning, and more.

❏ Greenhouse work: sowing, thinning, potting up.

 

Farmers Market: 

❏ Assist work partner in setting up the stand prior to the start of market. Create and maintain a visually appealing farmer’s market display catered to the ease and enjoyment of the customer.

❏ Provide excellent customer service and communication.

❏ Knowledgeably and enthusiastically discuss our products and our farming practices with the public. Educate customers about the uses of our produce and share cooking tips.

❏ Conduct accurate sales transactions.

❏ Keep market supplies organized and maintained (containers, signs, tables, tents, etc.) during set-up, market and breakdown.

 

Delivery: 

❏ Drive a 16’ box truck throughout the Bay Area and Sonoma County.

❏ Follow best practices for safety while driving and loading/unloading the truck.

❏ Be professional and friendly with all Front Porch Farm accounts.
 

Desired Skills & Experience:

❏ Preferred 1-2 seasons experience working on a production farm or at a florist’s shop.

❏ Preferred experience working in sales, retail or food service.

❏ Excellent work ethic— prompt, communicative, takes initiative.

❏ A great communicator who is able to deliver excellent customer service.

❏ Works well independently and in a team setting.

❏ Innate attention to detail.

❏ Artistic ability.

❏ Able to take direction, ask for help and accept constructive feedback.

❏ Able to safely lift 50 lbs.

❏ Able to perform repetitive work in inclement weather, including heat up to 95˚F.

❏ Able to work in a well-fitting respirator in smoky conditions up to 250 PM AQI, for four hour increments, in the case of wildfires.

❏ Ability to speak conversational Spanish a plus.

❏ Seeking a team player who is generally easy-going by nature and motivated by a fast-paced environment.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, varies DOE, $16.00 - $19.00

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline