Company description

Common Ground Farm (CGF) is a non-profit organization based in Beacon, NY with a mission to support and engage our community by fostering access and connection to fresh food and local agriculture. On the farm we do this by growing vegetables for donation, hosting an on farm U-Pick CSA, partnering with local community organizations, and hosting on farm education programs. We grow about 4.5 acres of annual vegetables, herbs, and flowers, following organic practices, on 6.5 acres of land in Wappingers Falls, NY. We donate approximately half of the produce we grow to local food pantries and community meal programs and the rest of the produce is distributed through our U-Pick CSA and the Beacon Farmers’ Market. In addition, Common Ground operates a variety of food and farm-based education programs and stewards the Beacon and Newburgh Farmers' Markets. 

Job description

The Farm Crew member will report to the Farm Manager and Assistant Farm Manager and is responsible for vegetable production using organic methods, weekend greenhouse watering, and general farm upkeep. Additionally, this crew member will be responsible for staffing our weekly farmers’ market. 

Farm Crew members will participate in the following:

• Attend weekly planning meetings with the Farm Manager, Assistant Manager, and farm crew

• Work one full weekend in spring for our annual Plant Sale, typically the first weekend in May

• Propagation and care of greenhouse seedlings, including weekend watering rotations

• Field preparation including spreading compost and fertilizer by hand and marking beds by hand or with a dibbler

• Planting and direct seeding

• Setting up and maintaining irrigation

• Pest and disease control, primarily pest exclusion by row cover

• High tunnel production, including laying landscape fabric and using a trellis

• Harvest, wash, and pack in a timely, well organized manner

• Work with Green Teen (Beacon youth development program) on farm projects 

• Occasional participation in educational programs, such as school field trips and our 8-week summer Farm Camp

• Occasionally work with volunteers

Specific Duties:

• Participate in Friday market harvests

• Ensure quality control throughout harvest, washing, and packing

• Organize and upkeep market supplies

• Work with Assistant Manager at Beacon Farmers’ Market with goal of $30,000 in sales

• This position requires Sunday work

Job Schedule:

Farm Crew positions are seasonal positions, with exact start and end dates flexible, to be determined by Farm Manager and crew member, running roughly from mid April through the end of October. 

All crew members will start Monday through Friday in April and May, transitioning to the following schedules:

Monday-Friday April-June (with rotational weekend watering); Sunday-Tuesday, Thursday, Friday July-October (Wednesdays and Saturdays off)

Full time farm crew members will work 30-40 hours per week, depending on the season, with adjustments made for weather and seasonality. Typical hours are 8am-4pm in the spring and fall, 7am-3pm in the summer. 

From April through August weekend greenhouse watering duties will be rotated amongst the farm team. 

Farm team members are encouraged to attend Mid-Hudson CRAFT events, which typically operate on Wednesday or Thursday evenings from 6-8pm. 

Qualifications:

• Committed to Common Ground’s mission to support and engage our community by fostering access and connection to fresh food and local agriculture through farming, education, and farmers’ markets

• Strong communication skills

• Organized and efficient

• Strong work ethic; must be a self-starter

• Punctuality, arriving ready to work

• Ability to work early mornings and long days

• Ability to work in all weather conditions, including bitter cold, sweltering heat, rain, and wind

• Ability to lift 50 lbs

• Valid Driver’s license required to fulfill job duties

• Willingness to undergo background check (required to work with Green Teen)

• Commitment to creating a safe and welcoming work space 

While prior farming experience is not required, interest in learning farm systems is a must. This position is not a good fit for someone looking for a typical 9-5 job.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $15-20/hr

Application instructions

Deadline

April 05, 2024