Flatland Flower Farm seeks full-time farm assistant


Location: Sebastopol

We are currently seeking a full time/permanent farm assistant to join our team immediately. You'll be working on a 22-acre farm in west Sebastopol where we raise certified organic plant starts and organic apples. We are looking for a proactive, independent individual who needs little guidance to keep our three greenhouses in great shape for this spring season and beyond. 

We are a modern, fast-paced, multifaceted farm and make value-added products using our apples. This position is not just working on a farm but also baking and candy-making at a commercial kitchen in Santa Rosa. 

Position would begin with a 90 day trial period to make sure we are a good fit--we are a close-knit farm family. Upon approval this will turn into a permanent position. This is a full-time, year-round position--not seasonal. 

Position summary:
Under direct supervision of owners of the farm, assist in planning and implementing greenhouse propagation as well as baking and candy making in commercial kitchen. 

Duties and responsibilities, may include but are not limited to: 
Assist in planning and implementing seeding and transplanting of nursery starts
Care and maintenance of greenhouses 
Pulling and delivering weekly orders to retail garden centers around the Bay Area 
Baking and candy-making in commercial kitchen
Packaging of products 
All aspects of apple cider vinegar production, from pressing to bottling
Occasional filling in at San Francisco farmers' market
Other tasks as assigned

Desired qualifications:
Clean driving record
Familiarity with vegetable and herb plants 
Able to work long hours outside, in greenhouses, and in commercial kitchen
Ability to work independently
Reliable, flexible and self-motivated
Ability to contribute to the growth and development of our company
Strong time-management skills 
Outstanding organizational skills and attention to detail
Some food experience

Please note: you must be physically fit, with no prior back or other injuries, as you will have to lift and carry flats of plants, cases of apples, and large sheet pans on a regular basis. .

To apply please email cover letter, resume, and any questions to [email protected]. We will be contacting people week of March 16.


Salary / Compensation: DOE

Hard-working woman in search of a farm position this Spring

Christen Crumley, [email protected], 415.912.7297

Preferred Location: Sierra Foothills, Sonoma County, Napa County

Hey folks! I'm an ambitious, responsible, hard-working woman in search of a farm position starting this spring. My farming experience comes from time volunteering for urban farm groups, working in both the city gardens as well as on rural farmland, backyard gardening, and studying permaculture in college. In nearly all of these roles, I’ve gained skills in transplanting, prepping soil, weeding, harvesting, washing and packing. Happy to tell you more about these experiences!

For years I’ve considered working on a farm and at this point I am compelled to pursue it in a serious way. I am a hard and committed worker with a great appreciation for learning hands on. I pick things up easily, do well working by myself and with little guidance, and am quick to see what needs to be done and make it happen. And I want to spend a season working hard!

I’d love to have a conversation by phone to share more about my experience and my vision; and I can also send along my resume.

Farm Manager or Farm Manager Trainee Wanted at Shared Abundance Organic Farm

Auburn CA

Shared Abundance Organic Farm, (SAOF) is a 14 acre diverse production farm. We operate year round and are looking to fill a full time, permanent position, with someone committed to leadership in nurturing the land, plants & sustainable activity in all daily practices of farming. Must have farm experience, be able to work well with others.
Duties include all aspects of farming such as:
Composting, Greenhouse activities, Orchard & Vineyard care, Annual Bed Preparation and maintenance, Transplanting, Irrigation knowledge, weed eating skills, Farmers Market Sales, CSA awareness, Directing other workers or volunteers, Deliveries. 
Must have: clean driving record, be flexible in action and in planning, have a passion for growing, be detail oriented, love working with people, be willing to take direction & have a learners mindset. 

Salary / Compensation: Room, farm food, Salary dependent on experience.

HomeAcre Farm Seeks Jack of All Trades

Location: NE Petaluma

We're looking to exchange room and partial board for ~18 hours/wk of help. We live on a ranch and have a mini organic farm. The hours are flexible, and can be broken up into adjustable ratios between farm/garden, household help, and time minding our 14-month old happy son.

References, transportation, and background check required.

Salary / Compensation: room and partial board

Bi Rite Farm: Seasonal Farm Assistant

Sonoma, CA

Bi-Rite Farm is a one acre parcel located in Sonoma, CA, exclusively providing produce, herbs, and flowers to Bi Rite Markets and Creamery in San Francisco. This farm gives Bi-Rite the opportunity to educate the staff and community, by giving them a chance to get their hands in the soil. Our produce is highlighted in the deli dishes and the shelves of the produce departments. We also host seasonal staff dinners that feature our farm produce. Through 18 Reasons, the educational member of the Bi-Rite Family, the farm is used as an educational venue for Farm School, a yearly 5-month introduction to the systems of small scale farming.

We are entering our fifth season and looking towards a 1.75 acre expansion in the coming year, as well as installation of a perennial flower garden at an auxiliary site. We are looking for seasonal help from April through November to assist with all farm operations.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Greenhouse propagation
  
• Field prep (some tractor experience is ideal but not necessary)
  
• Irrigation maintenance/installation
  
• Crop production - planting, weeding, harvesting, packing
  
• Record Keeping
  
• Pest/Disease control
  
• General farm/equipment maintenance and
  
• Assisting with hosting Farm School, visitors, and volunteers
  

Requirements:

• Able to work April-November
  
• Physical ability to do the work required - lifting, standing, bending, squatting
  
• Reliable transportation 
  
• Promptness and a good work ethic
  
• Some experience farming, or at least gardening, and a willingness to learn
  
• Excellent communication and problem solving skills
  
• Initiative and the ability to work well alone, and with others
  
• Passion for growing quality produce and educating folks about where their food comes from

Salary / Compensation: $12-14/hour DOE


Contact Layla Aguilar at [email protected]

Moon Hollow Ranch Seeks Gardens and Livestock Assistant

Sonoma, CA

We are currently seeking a full time/permanent Gardens and Livestock Assistant to join our team. You would be working on a scenic 700 acre property that is currently being developed into a world class estate. We are looking for detail oriented, hard workers with the ability to work independently to help us keep it in top shape. 

Position Summary: 
Under direct supervision of the Gardens & Livestock Manager, assist in the planning and maintenance of a small, but growing organic vegetable production garden, orchard of fruit trees and berries, olive oil production orchard, habitat garden beds, and some California Native landscaping. Position may include daily care of livestock including poultry, sheep, goats, honeybees, and livestock guardian dogs, with both daily and end of-week cleaning of the livestock areas and barn. Additional tasks will likely be added as the program expands. 

Duties & Responsibilities: 
The major responsibilities of the position may include, but are not limited to: 
•Care and maintenance of the gardens and landscaping, including watering, weeding, deadheading, watching for pest infestations or signs of disease, and keeping all gardens and work areas neat and tidy at all times to maintain the aesthetic of the estate
•Assistance with crop planning and rotation
•Bed preparation, double digging, addition of compost and amendments, etc. 
•Assistance with selection of seeds, seed starting, transplanting into flats and planting out in beds 
•Harvest, cleaning, packing and the delivery of produce, eggs and meat to chefs in San Francisco
•Compost production and maintenance, Integrated Pest Management, seed saving and storage, etc. 
•Livestock feeding, pasture rotation planning and implementation, noxious and invasive plant management, egg collecting, observing all animals for signs of stress or illness, administering medication as needed, etc. 
•Completing other maintenance and grounds projects as assigned. 

Minimum Job Requirements: 
•Valid California Driver's license and clean driving record 
•Full background security check 
•Ability to lift and carry 40+ lbs 
•Ability to work outside year-round, including in inclement weather 
•Ability to use light garden equipment and power tools safely 
•Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality and privacy 
•Strong attention to detail and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks 
•Patience and a good sense of humor and the ability to adapt to the unique challenges and changes that arise within the program as it grows and develops.

Limited experience is required, but enthusiasm and a desire to learn is a must! 

Please send a cover letter explaining your desire to work with us, resume detailing your past experience, and three references (may be personal, academic or professional) to [email protected]


Salary / Compensation: $15.38 per hour with excellent benefits

Sonoma Organics seeks Delivery Driver/ Sales/ Warehouse

Location: Sebastopol

Need organic minded folks for driving, warehouse, quality control, farmer relations, and anything else that comes up in a small company.
email - [email protected]

Salary / Compensation: commensurate

Part-time farm assistant at Sweetwater Spectrum in Sonoma, beginning in mid-March


The Organization:
Sweetwater Spectrum is a new, innovate housing community for adults with autism, with a mission to provide adults with autism an innovative, supportive residential community that will challenge each individual to reach his or her highest potential. www.sweetwaterspectrum.org

As part of this housing community, we have a 1 acre organic farm, which includes a ½ acre vegetable production, a greenhouse and nursery space, 50 fruit trees, and chickens. We sell our microgreens and vegetables to local restaurants, and at our Saturday morning farm stand. The Sweetwater Spectrum Farm is going into its third season, and is seeking help.

The Position:
Sweetwater Spectrum is seeking a part-time farm assistant for the 2015 season. The position will run from mid March to mid October, for 12 hours per week, with a potential for increasing hours and responsibilities. Pay starts at $12/hour.

Specific duties for this position include planting and greenhouse work, harvesting, cutting and packaging microgreens, weeding, compost building, and helping to manage our Saturday morning farm stand.

While there is some flexibility in the schedule, desired hours for this position will include Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday mornings.

We are seeking a motivated, responsible, passionate individual to work alongside our farm manager to steward this small, diverse, organic farm.

Desired qualifications:
• At least one year experience with farming
• Physically fit and able to work long hours outside
• Ability to work independently and as part of a group
• Experience with or knowledge of adults with autism
• Reliability, self-motivated, integrity and flexibility
• Outstanding time management and organizational skills with high level of attention to details
• Passion and desire to contribute to the building and ongoing development of Sweetwater Spectrum as a healthy learning organization that is committed to excellence

To apply, send resume, references, and letter of interest to [email protected].

Please include past work experiences, goals related to agriculture and/or working with adults with disabilities, other related skills and interests, such as carpentry or teaching. Please include two references.

Mt. Barnabe Farm in San Geronimo Valley is hiring a Part-time Farm Manager!

Mt. Barnabe Farm is looking for a young farmer who would like to manage ½ acre of raspberries and a kitchen garden. Housing and utilities provided as well as the profits from the berry operation minus 15%. Hours during non-harvest periods (approximately 10 months per year) are 12 hours per week. Harvest times (June and September) require more hours however we have housing for WWOOF workers to help with the harvest.
There is opportunity to grow more crops here at Mt. Barnabe if desired on approximately 1-2 acres of land.
Contact Diane Matthew
[email protected]
415- 488-1748

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Farm Assistant 

The Bounty Community Farm plays an important role in helping to transform Petaluma’s food system by growing healthy food for the Petaluma community, engaging community members, and improving food literacy of all people through volunteer opportunities, field trips and experiential education. As the Farm Assistant, you will assist the Farm Manager in coordinating and implementing many aspects of the educational farm, from planning and production of a mix of crops for sale/distribution through a CSA, farm stand, farmers market and other outlets, coordinating volunteers, and working closely with farm staff and interns. You will report to the Farm Manager and work closely with her in implementing and modifying new program initiatives. The role of the Farm Assistant is quite varied and other job duties not listed below may be required periodically. 

Primary responsibilities include: 
- Assist Farm Manager in implementing organic crop plan, long-term soil fertility plan, and pest management plan 
- Lead Saturday volunteer days, with help from Farm Manager with larger monthly volunteer days
- Assist Farm Manager with propagation, bed preparation, transplant and direct sowing, weeding, irrigation, and compost production, and instructing and supervising volunteers and interns in these tasks  Coordinate and/or lead harvesting, washing, and packing 
- Work at the farmer’s market or stand on a weekly basis, including evening hours or Saturday’s 
- Assist with educational activities and farm tours, events, record keeping and other Petaluma Bounty activities 
- Assist Farm Manager with tillage and cultivation, including safe operation of farm equipment 
- Assist with basic maintenance of facilities  Manage farm crew and interns in absence of Farm Manager 
- Take on leadership, planning and coordination of weekly harvests as the season progresses 
- Professional conduct in representing Petaluma Bounty to the community and public during volunteer days, farmers markets, and in the community 

Skills and qualifications: 
- Demonstrated commitment to organic, sustainable farming standards 
- Two years organic farming experience, including familiarity with CSA and Farmers’ Markets
- Experience and ability to coordinate volunteers 
- Ability to follow written and oral instructions and willingness to seek guidance as needed
- Ability to lift 50+ pounds 
- Good CA DMV record 
- Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills, ability to work with and teach people of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds of all agesAssistant Farm Manager Job Posting Farm Manager Job Desc. 2007-07-30 
- Understanding, experience and flexibility around the unique challenges of farming in community and commitment to meeting those challenges on a daily basis 
- General computer literacy including Word, and Excel 

Ideal candidate will also possess the following: 
- Ability to drive a tractor and utilize farm equipment in a safe and effective manner  Mechanical inclinations as related to small machinery, irrigation, and carpentry 
- Basic computer skills and recordkeeping 
- Formal and informal training in horticulture/botany 
- Ability to speak Spanish 
- Demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to Petaluma Bounty’s mission and goals, along with demonstrated commitment to strengthening local communities and food systems 
- Flexibility and a sense of humor 


Compensation: This is a seasonal position, beginning between March 15th – April 15th and continuing through October. Compensation is $11/hr for a 40 hour work week, Tuesday through Saturday, with Sundays and Mondays off. To apply for this position, please send your resume and a cover letter to [email protected]. Applications accepted on a rolling basis, with interviews scheduled to begin the last week of February.

Hidden Villa Animal Husbandry Manager

Reports to:  Director of Facilities

Working Hours:  This is a full time, salaried exempt position with variable 8-hour days, seasonal variations due to animal life cycles, and rotating weekend duties.

Position Description:  The Animal Husbandry Manager oversees the care of Hidden Villa’s animals, while providing maximum access and educational opportunities for Hidden Villa programs. This is a residential position that includes a 2 bedroom on-site home, and the responsibility to be on-call for property needs on rotating weekends. 

Responsibilities:

• Care for cows, goats, pigs, sheep and chickens, including animal healthcare, feed ordering and ration creation, breeding, rotational grazing, and meat, milk and egg production.
• Administer the animal program, including budgets, record keeping.
• Produce Weekly Animal Notes every Friday, attend meetings and meet management deadlines, including an annual plan and budget.
• Train and supervise the Animal Husbandry Intern, camp staff, volunteers and ranch hands to perform animal maintenance tasks and run the farmers market.
• Effectively market pork, lamb, egg, and chicken sales through use of a developed email list, on farm sales, restaurant sales, and farmers market stand. 
• Educate the staff, interns, and customers through Monday Intern Classes, Community Programs, Summer Camp, H.V. Environmental Education Program (HVEEP) and Youth Development.  
• Work with program staff to develop programs, meet regularly with the HVEEP and Camp Farm Liaisons to maintain open communication and keep program goals on target.
• Support the hosting of development outreach and cultivation events and programs that highlight Hidden Villa’s sustainable farming methods and products.
• Maintain and improve the animal facilities, including barns, fences, gates, irrigation systems, etc., in cooperation with the Property Department.
• Operate tools and heavy machinery necessary for the Animal Program, including tractors, trucks, animal trailers, milking machines, etc. 
• Train and develop an intern specific to the Animal Husbandry department to become a confident and effective farmer upon leaving Hidden Villa. 

 

Performance Appraised by:  Director of Facilities

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

This is a full time, exempt position with salary DOE.  Hidden Villa provides a benefit package that includes vacation and sick leave; medical, dental, acupuncture/chiropractic and retirement benefits.  This is a residential position that includes a 2 bedroom on-site home, and the responsibility to be on-call for property needs on rotating weekends.  Hidden Villa is a nonsmoking environment. Salary range:  $35-43K. Start date for this position is April 2015;  moving into residence, May 1, 2015.


HOW TO APPLY

Please mail, fax or e-mail your resume listing your relevant experience with cover letter explaining your interest in the position to:  Personnel, Hidden Villa, 26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills, CA  94022, fax 650-948-4159, E-mail [email protected].   

After an initial phone interview, references and a working interview will be required. For more information about Hidden Villa, please see www.hiddenvilla.org

Hidden Villa is committed to diversity in our workplace and our programs.  We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected class.

Farm Help Needed At Foggy River Farm

Hi everyone -- we have hired two members of our farm team for the year, but are still seeking a third farmer to work with us at Foggy River Farm! The exciting (new) news since I last posted is that this position actually includes on-site, affordable housing suitable for 1-2 people. I've copied and pasted the full job description below in the comments. Feel free to email [email protected] or PM me with any questions!