Company description

Our Farm

Upswing Farm got its start on leased land in Ashland/Holliston MA in 2016. After losing our lease in 2019, we farmed piecemeal on several small plots in 2020, while we worked to secure our current location in Pepperell, MA. We still distribute twice/week to our original customer base though a 200 member CSA distribution in Hopkinton, and a weekly farmers market in Ashland. Membership has grown significantly in Pepperell since we arrived in 2021, and we now have a 200+ member on site CSA distribution and a farm stand that is open 3 days a week. We do a small amount of wholesaling, but CSA is the core of what we do.

We are certified organic and have been working diligently to improve what were very poor soils when we arrived here in 2021. Through mineral amendments, composting, cover cropping and using reduce tillage methods we have seen impressive results. 2024 was an exceptional growing season for our farm. We now cultivate 19 acres of produce and cut flowers, leaving at least 6 acres fallow each season. We have 6 high tunnels used for year-round production and two propagation greenhouses.

We are building an on-farm composting system to localize our fertility inputs.

This year we are installing 1 acre of blueberries, ½ acre of raspberries and an acre of asparagus. We also rent a 2 acre asparagus field.

Our Team
The foundation of our team is a close-knit group of five managers, including the owners, who have been working together for three years now. The owners, Kevin and Brittany, work full time on farm, and are very involved in daily operations. We have built solid working relationships and a culture of commitment to quality and efficiency as a team, with respect for individual well-being.  We are supported by several year-round, part-time crew members, six work-for share members and a seasonal crew of 3-5 additional folks. We look forward to team lunches, birthday desserts and the moments of awe, wonder and deep satisfaction that come from working on a farm. We love the work that we do and the time we spend together making this farm possible. 

Our Location
Close to the heart of New England, we are just 45 minutes from the Ocean, the Mountains and both Boston and Worcester. Our farm is 131 acres, abutted by open space and the Nissitissit River. There are places in town to swim and hike, a bike path that connects to other area towns, and a small grocery, pharmacy and other amenities.

Internship description

We are seeking someone with full-season farm experience who is interested in learning and practicing the details and nuance of post-harvest handling and distribution. This person will work closely with our wash/pack manager to learn the proper washing, sorting and storage of all the produce we grow on our farm, and work with the distribution team to assist with and occasionally lead CSA, farm stand, and farmer’s market distributions. We use equipment like a bubbler, greens spinner, barrel washer, pallet jacks, U-boats, and multiple coolers to handle the average of 6000 units of produce we distribute weekly.  

Wash and Pack (and some Harvest): The start of several shifts will include setting up the wash station, including washing and sanitizing all equipment and ensuring efficient workflow for the rest of the day. You will then join the harvest team and when the timing is right, you will transition to the wash station where, with the wash/pack manager and other team members you will wash/process/sort and pack all produce for distribution.

Distribution: You will assist the on-site distribution manager on Tuesday and Wednesday with the set-up and start of each distribution, and then manage the Thursday distribution solo after receiving proper training. We are open for retail sales during our CSA distribution. You will also be the regular assistant for our Saturday farmer’s market. You will be trained in efficient farmer’s market set-up and display techniques, sales and distribution management and possibly trained to drive our 16’ box truck. We have a very strong following of farmers market customers. 

Production: Although this is not the focus of the role, about 25% of your time will be spent with the production team on tasks such as seedling propagation, planting, trellising, mulching and cultivation. 

Qualifications

• Minimum one full season experience on a production farm
• The ability to work both independently and as a part of a team
• Capable of meeting the physical demands of the job including, lifting and carrying 20-40 pounds frequently, 50 pounds on occasion, completing most work while standing/walking/bending/twisting and/or squatting, using tools such as knives, hoes, rakes and wheelbarrows for extended periods of time
• Able to settle into, sustain, and enjoy repetitive work
• Willing and able to work outside in all weather conditions
• Able to accept, digest and retain constructive feedback
• Strong, clear and kind communication skills 
• Strong observation skills
• Strong spatial perception and reasoning (eg, your good at packing a full car)
• Able to receive and retain a series of detailed instructions (some of us have a good memory, some of us write things down, etc)
• Detail and quality oriented without being perfectionist (many of us here are recovering perfectionists)
• Self-aware. Able to practice self-care such as staying hydrated and nourished, knowing your limitations and boundaries, arriving to work with appropriate gear
• Adaptable and open minded. Our work varies from hour to day, to week, to month. Diversified organic vegetable production is highly complex. They way we harvest or care for a certain crop changes due to a variety of reasons and conditions. We are interested in working with folks who want to pay attention to, learn, and practice the complexities of this profession.
• Valid drivers license. Our farm is separated by a road and we are required to drive on the road daily for regular farm tasks.
• Interest and ability to operate a 16 foot box truck. Training provided. Not Required.

Schedule

Start Date: March 4th, we can accommodate a start date as late as May 13th.

End Date: November 16th. Extended hours through winter may be possible.

March-Mid May: Tuesday-Friday 8am-4pm plus 6 hours of weekend duties every other weekend. (32 hours/week),

Mid May-Mid October: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 6:00am-3pm, Thursday 12:30pm-6:30pm, Saturday 6am-3pm. During this time you will manage an on-site distribution Thursday from 1pm-6pm, and assist, then eventually lead our Saturday Farmer’s Market (40 hours/week)

Mid October-November: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 7:00am-4pm, Thursday 12:30pm-6:30pm (30 hours/week)

Each shift over four hours includes 15 minutes paid break. Each full day shift includes 1 hour of unpaid lunch break, except the farmers market day, when breaks are taken as needed and all hours are paid. Sometimes additional hours will be made available. These hours are always optional.

 

Compensation

$17/hour, plus time and a half for overtime
1 hour paid sick time for every 30 hours worked
40 hours paid “wellness” time available after two months of employment
$200 gear stipend available after two weeks employment
A vegetable CSA share plus surplus and seconds when available.
Paid participation in local farm education opportunities through EMass CRAFT
Optional on-farm housing for $600/month, all utilities, internet, washer/dryer included.

Compensation

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

Application instructions

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Deadline

May 01, 2025