Company description

Mandy’s Farm provides services in the Albuquerque area for individuals with developmental disabilities, supporting them to live the life of their choosing. The AgrAbility Program is an initiative of Mandy’s Farm in collaboration with the New Mexico AgrAbility Project and the New Mexico Division Of Vocational Rehabilitation housed on 7 acres of farmland across 2 sites in the South Valley of Albuquerque. We offer programming designed specifically for people with disabilities who wish to access education and vocational support designed to cultivate a career in farming. We use regenerative farming practices to produce a variety of vegetables, fruits, and flowers as well as duck eggs. We rotationally graze goats and maintain plantings for native plant and wildlife habitat. We utilize some mechanized farming practices, but the majority of daily tasks are completed by hand.

Job description

The primary responsibility of the Farm Hand at Mandy’s Farm is to perform daily crop production, animal care, landscaping, and farm maintenance tasks in support of the AgrAbility project at our Lakeview and Clark farm sites.

POSITION DETAILS

• Title: Farm Hand
• Reports to: AgrAbility Program Coordinator
• Full-time, year-round position
• Occasional on-call responsibilities
• $15-17/hour DOE
• Benefits eligible, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, PTO, sick pay, and paid holidays

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs daily crop production activities in the field including bed preparation, mowing, mulching, watering, weeding, fertilization, planting, propagation, cover crop management, and pest management
• Operates outdoor/indoor irrigation systems including monitoring, maintenance, repair, and extending system
• Operates farm equipment and tools such as tractors, mowers, field implements, and power tools
• Monitors condition of farm equipment, reports problems and works closely with the program coordinator and facilities coordinator to ensure proper operation, maintenance, and repair
• Management of ornamental, native, and edible landscapes
• Weed management through hand weeding, hoeing, mowing, and mulching
• Manages plant and soil health through applying fertilizers and soil amendments, and pest control in accordance with organic farming practices and following protocols for safe use of chemicals
• Provides animal care including feeding, administering medications and supplements , and cleaning and maintaining enclosures as needed
• Reports concerns with animal health and safety to program coordinator
• Works continuously to monitor and ensure safety at the facility by communicating and following safety guidelines; helps to identify and mitigate risks and demonstrates safe work habits
• Maintains a clean and tidy work environment
• Works professionally with and maintains working relationships with coworkers, program participants, and community partners
• Monitors inventory of seeds, soil amendments, animal feed, small tools, irrigation supplies, etc. and recommends purchases of needed equipment and supplies.
• Uses program vehicle and trailer to deliver produce and eggs and pick up farm supplies

CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

Candidate must:

• Have a minimum of 2 years experience on small-scale, diversified farms including bed preparation, mowing, mulching, irrigation, weeding, fertilization, planting, cover crop management, and pest management.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of sustainable farming principles and practices including soil health and fertility, irrigation systems, pest control, weed control etc.
• Be comfortable working around farm animals and able to work with them safely and effectively
• Work outdoors all day in all weather conditions.  Temperatures in the high desert can range from the low 20s to low 100s.
• Carry, lift, push and pull up to 50 pounds, bend, kneel, walk and sit on uneven ground throughout the day using good ergonomics.
• Safely handle and use tools and machinery
• Work safely with chemicals, including using basic math to determine dilution and application rates
• Have some flexibility in their schedule to assist with occasional weekend flood irrigation and animal care
• Be able to work independently, take initiative, and prioritize tasks
• Follow written and verbal instructions, take direction from the Program Coordinator, and ask for clarification as needed
• Communicate clearly
• Have excellent attention to detail
• Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively with people of diverse backgrounds
• Adopt Mandy’s Farm mission, vision & values, and be committed to working inclusively alongside people with disabilities
• Work alongside people with disabilities in a courteous, friendly, and non-judgemental manner
• Complete organization- and state-required trainings
• Have valid driver’s license and insurance and operate farm vehicles regularly and safely
• Successfully complete state background check and motor vehicle record check

Ideal candidate will have experience with:

• Regenerative farming best practices
• Drip line and acequia irrigation management
• Duck and goat care
• Use and maintenance of BCS walk-behind tractors
• Driving trailers
• Southwest native plants
• Adults with developmental disabilities
• Justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Light carpentry and welding skills
• Compost management

Compensation

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

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline