Company description

Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center is a nonprofit, certified organic farm located on over 50 acres of conserved land along the Connecticut River in East Thetford, Vermont. Our organization has a deep commitment to developing regenerative agriculture systems for our fruit, vegetable, and flower production and to offering educational programming that builds connections between our food, ecosystems, and community.

Our farm is a community hub with a farmstand, retail greenhouses, a farm kitchen, a coffee shop, a cut flower garden, education programs, and unique CSA options. It’s a place where folks can learn about and deepen their appreciation for organic regenerative agriculture.

Our staff is a reflection of our community and is the most essential aspect of our farm. When you join our dynamic team, you’ll have the opportunity to make valuable contributions to our greater mission of promoting organic, regenerative farming and the transition to a localized food economy!

Job description

Full Time June - October
Part-Time November - May

The Teen Farm Fellowship is a 10-week program from June to August that provides hands-on experiences for participants to learn about small-scale diversified organic farming while gaining crucial job, team building, and leadership skills. The program splits time between on-site work at Cedar Circle as Production team members, classroom sessions, and service-based learning at other farms and organizations through the region.

About the Position

During the growing season the TFF Lead oversees the fellowship program for its duration and otherwise spends time working as a crew member for the Production Department. This allows the Lead a chance to mesh with the growing processes at Cedar Circle so that they can better guide the on-site work for the TFF program. This work includes everything from seeding, transplanting and plant care, to harvest and wash/pack.

The fellows play an important role in supporting harvest through its busiest season including strawberry and blueberry harvest and the Lead plays a key role in ensuring that harvest goals and deadlines are being met. Though a bulk of the fellows’ on-site work at Cedar Circle consists of harvest and cultivation, the opportunity will exist throughout the season for the fellows to participate in the other production aspects at Cedar Circle to gain a well rounded experience of what goes into growing vegetables, berries, and retail plants.

Outside of the growing season, from October to May, the TFF Lead will work closely with the Education Department Manager to lead or co-lead other education programs, including, but not limited to, afterschool, workshops, field trips, and early childhood education programs. This time will also be dedicated to planning for the following year’s fellowship program.

Responsibilities

Crew Coordination – Coordinate and supervise daily tasks of Cedar Circle’s Teen Farm Fellows, including:

• Help to establish a positive, nurturing, educational and motivating work environment for all members of staff
• Set a pace of work that keeps the team on track towards completion of daily tasks
• Mentor, supervise and support crew members to ensure programs run smoothly.
• Provide a positive experience for parents or caretakers of teens participating in crew.

Other Farm Duties – During the growing season, but outside of the fellowship tenure, this position will spend a lot of time with the production teams participating in all production tasks including but not limited to:

• Vegetable propagation — Seeding, thinning, watering, grafting, tagging and organizing (retail starts)
• Plant care & culture — Hand weeding, hoeing / Manual pest management (squish squish) / Setup and removal of row cover / Pruning, pinching, etc
• Planting — Transplanting via water wheel, bare-root, manual / Direct seeding
• Harvest — Nearly daily with morning and afternoon harvests depending on crop
• Wash/Pack — Washing/packing, quality control, cooler upkeep
• General farm and facility upkeep

Educational Programming – under the supervision of the Education Program Manager

• Develop and deliver curricula, including lesson plans and educational materials.
• Coordinate, implement and participate in service-learning projects both at Cedar Circle Farm and offsite at outside farms, businesses and organizations.
• Collaborate with other departments at Cedar Circle Farm, lead or coordinate skill development and educational opportunities.
• Assist in the organization of a culminating Open House event for Teen Farm Fellows to present their academic project(s).
• Represent Cedar Circle Farm & Education Center at recruitment events, visits to other farms / organizations, etc.
• Availability to work overtime during summer season, and occasional weekends for special programs / events.
• Lead or co-lead other education programs, including but not limited to field trips, afterschool, early childhood and workshops.

Qualifications

• Experience as an educator in a classroom or outdoor setting.
• Additional experience in a related field, or combination of work experience and coursework.
• Experience developing curriculum and teaching about farming, ecology, or related subjects preferred.
• Positive, energetic interpersonal skills and passion for mentoring new farmers and enjoy building relationships with teens. Be inclusive and embrace diversity of all learners.
• Be proactive and self-motivated.
• Possess strong written and verbal communication skills in professional and educational settings. Strong organizational and time management skills. Clear and concise record keeping and note taking
• Be detail-oriented and competent in balancing multiple projects and deadlines.
• Farm or market garden related experience
• Must be 21 years of age (this is a requirement of our vehicle insurance).
• Ability to take direction, ask for help/clarity, and give/accept constructive feedback on work and technique
• Be comfortable working outdoors–rain or shine!
• Available to work a regular farm work day of 8 hours, Monday to Friday, from May to August.
• Valid Driver’s License - requires to fulfill the duties of the job

Compensation

Hourly rate is $17-$19 per hour, based on experience. Benefits include paid sick leave, a 403(b) retirement plan, access to farm produce, and a 20% discount at the CCFEC farmstand and cafe.

Compensation

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

Application instructions

If you are not registered, you'll be prompted to do so. Don't worry, it's free!

Deadline

no deadline