Company description

Hazel Witch Farm is a small scale woman owned and operated farm in Mechanicsville, Virginia. We grow cut flowers for wholesale distribution through our worker owned cooperative, and via high end weddings. We farm using human scale, low till methods, with the assistance of a walk behind tractor. Our farming principles revolve around taking care to enhance and restore biodiversity, keep carbon in the ground, limit imported inputs, and maximize photosynthesis. We employ the use of plant positive pest management, pollinator + predator hedgerows, cover cropping, and mulching to reduce pest + weed pressure, while protecting our soil. We employ a small and mighty crew.

Job description

Responsibilities encompass all field and greenhouse tasks, including but not limited to seeding, propagation, transplanting, pruning, trellising, harvesting (cutting, grading, sorting), bed prep (crop termination, broadforking, tarping, amending, composting, mulching), cultivation, record keeping, high tunnel management, watering + irrigation, wash + pack management, inventory and purchasing, assisting with farm events.

2+ years flower farming experience, 1+ year in farm management

The farm manager will work closely with the farm business manager/ owner in all field + greenhouse aspects of the farm at the start of the season, and maintain weekly meetings throughout. This position is expected to become independent and self managing as the season progresses. It has the opportunity to advance and grow with the farm.

• Work alongside and manage crew, volunteers + spot crew

• Maintain detailed records, producing availability, harvest, and planting data

• Manage the farm’s weekly purchasing needs

• Maintain tools and equipment, small repairs, building tasks

• Manage irrigation (drip, hose, + greenhouse)

• Transplanting (paperpot + by hand)

• Direct seeding (Earthway)

• Bed prep + flip (Grillo walk behind + by hand)

• Packaging & shipping farm product

• Propagation (chrysanthemum, perennial + dahlia cuttings, soil blocking, paperpot)

• Harvesting, postharvest, aggregation of orders

• Some delivery

Ideal applicants will bring a strong background in regenerative techniques, floral crops- specifically cool + warm annuals, ranunculus and dahlias, and a motivated desire to develop a deeper knowledge base. While we are excited to teach our methods we are looking for folks who have prior farming experience, are interested in growing with our farm, are passionate about production farming as a career, are open-minded + committed to refining their craft. All candidates must hold a valid driver’s license, be punctual + reliable. The right applicant is incredibly organized, observant, responsible, curious, detail oriented, efficient and has excellent time management.

We share our land with two other small scale farm businesses: Shine Farms, Real Roots Food Systems, and co-farm a ¼ acre of vegetables for distribution through the compassion ministry of our land owners, First Baptist Church.

All positions must be able to

• Lift 50+lbs repeatedly

• Stoop, crouch, squat for extended periods

  • 30% Standing

  • 5% Sitting

  • 20% Walking

  • 45% Kneeling or bending

  • Hearing & Manual dexterity

• Work efficiently, and dress to work in all weather (hot, wet, + cold)

• Maintain a positive mental attitude, problem solve and be flexible

• Commit for the entire season

Attributes and qualifications of an ideal candidate:

• Comfortable working in a fast paced environment

• Comfortable working in all weather conditions, more than 90% of this position is outside

• Punctual and highly reliable

• Independent, self aware, excellent time management

• Able to stand for long periods of time, bending, squatting and do occasional heavy lifting and other physically demanding tasks.

• Organized and works neatly.

• Able to handle repetitive tasks.

• Good natured and kind to others.

• Communicates effectively.

• Has an eye for high quality flowers and attention to detail.

• At least one season in floriculture.

• Floral design experience is a plus.

Hours:

Full time, beginning March 1, 2024, position typically ends November 30, potential for year round employment

M-F with some weekend hours for irrigation/ tunnel management

7-3 in shoulder seasons of spring and fall, moving to 6-2 in high summer

Compensation:

Salaried $40k-$50k depending on experience

No on farm housing is available. This position is for one person, couples will not be considered. Reliable transportation and a valid driver’s license required, farm is not accessible via public transportation.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $35,568* - $50,000

Application instructions

Deadline

January 15, 2024