Hiring: Assistant Grower – Waltham Fields Community Farm

Waltham Fields Community Farm seeks one or two Assistant Growers for the 2020 farming season. WFCF is a non-profit organization running a mixed vegetable farm, educational and food access programming just outside of Boston.  We adhere strictly to organic methods to manage fifteen acres of leased farmland spread over three parcels in Waltham and Weston. The Assistant Grower will work to support our farming operation, helping to supply food for our 460-share CSA, community members in need, and for various public events throughout the season.

Responsibilities:

The Assistant Grower(s) will work with our experienced farm team to learn the ins and outs of vegetable growing, crew management, equipment operation and maintenance and farm planning on a vibrant, fast-paced, 15-acre community farm.  Assistant Growers are considered farm managers-in-training and this has been a great fit for people who have farming experience and are serious about pursuing a career in agriculture.  Depending on candidates experience and interest, one Assistant Grower may focus on food access and community outreach, via our Mobile Outreach Market, and the other may lean more heavily towards field and greenhouse production, though both tracks offer a well-rounded experience.  Most days the Assistant Grower is working beside the Farm Manager and Assistant Farm Manager but some days bring more independence with tractor work, leading crews or volunteers, greenhouse work or general farm maintenance.  Waltham Fields is a very public farm and all staff engage with people at various levels of exposure to agriculture almost daily, through working with volunteers, our neighbors, CSA shareholders, other tenants or the curious passer-by.

This full-time, seasonal position runs from April through October 2020, with the potential to extend hours through November to help with our winter CSA and farm winterization.  No partial season applications for this position are possible.  The Assistant Grower generally works “grower’s hours” Tuesdays-Saturdays, with rotating Sunday watering duties.

Qualifications:

We expect applicants to have a strongly developed work ethic and a sense of humor about farming and themselves.  An ability to keep a positive attitude during the ebbs and flows and various demands on time and energy that farming entails is an important foundation to bring to this position.  If you are naturally curious, observant, motivated to push yourself and motivated by others who are doing the same, then you will love it at Waltham Fields! We have found that people who thrive in the camaraderie of a team and actively contribute to that dynamic are well suited here.  If you have some farm experience, then you may know how important good communication is to keep the flow of the day intact and the team working well; we work on this daily and ask the Assistant Grower(s) to as well.  A valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and the ability to lift 50 pounds are important qualifications for the Assistant Grower position.  While not required, fluency in a second language is an asset in some aspects of this role. In order to better know if this farm and organization is a good fit, we can only consider candidates available for on-farm interviews.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation includes $600 per week, produce from the farm, a health care stipend, a professional development stipend, and paid vacation and sick days commensurate with WFCF’s personnel policies.  No housing is available on our farm and the Assistant Grower is expected to make arrangements for their own housing in our area.

To apply for this position, please send a resume and letter of interest explaining why you think we’re a good match to our farm manager, Erinn Roberts, by email at farmmanager@communityfarms.org.

Waltham Fields Community Farm is an equal opportunity employer and committed to a policy of non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to regard to race, color, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity, pregnancy or medical or common conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, marital status, disability, age, citizenship status, familial status, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information, receipt of free medical care, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. Waltham Fields Community Farm will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. This commitment is evident in all aspects of WFCF’s employment practices and policies, including recruiting, hiring, job assignment, promotion, compensation, discipline, discharge, benefits and training.