Company description

Sweetwater Organic Community Farm was established in 1995 as a nonprofit community-supported urban organic farm and environmental education center in Tampa, Florida. We are located on 6 acres of suburban property along the Sweetwater Creek in Tampa’s Town ‘n’ Country neighborhood, in Hillsborough County, Florida.

We operate a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Membership program, Sweetwater Sunday Farmers’ Market and Music Series open to the public, educational field trip programs for visiting groups, farm tours, workshops, outdoor movies, seasonal events, volunteer opportunities and more!

Through our hands-on programs, visitors of all ages discover the wonders of nature, explore ecological interconnections, practice appropriate land stewardship and master sustainable agriculture techniques. Our farm provides the freshest possible organic vegetables and herbs for hundreds of Tampa Bay residents each year.

At Sweetwater, community members come together to grow and enjoy fresh organic food, acquire sustainable living skills, support local agriculture, enjoy nature, make new friends and be a part of the community.

Job description

Sweetwater Organic Community Farm, established in 1995, is the first and only certified organic farm in the Tampa Bay area. We are a nonprofit organization whose mission is to build community through food accessibility and education by providing a sustainable organic land stewardship model that supports a healthy lifestyle and a healthy earth. Sweetwater operates a 260 member CSA, a Sunday Farmer's market, an Educational Field Trip program, a Summer Farm Camp program and an adult Workshop series. We are looking for an experienced, hard-working and organized person to be one of our Farm Hands.

You will work for the Farm Manager in all aspects of production at our 6 acre farm where we produce certified organic vegetables November - June. Much of the work on our farm is done by hand requiring physical strength, stamina, attention to detail and a love of the earth. This is a full time position beginning November 2017.

Your primary responsibilities are:

• Work with our small farm crew of farmers, interns, apprentices and volunteers on all field work and harvesting
• Assist with tractor work- tillage, cultivation, seeding and composting
• Set up and assist with CSA pickup shares and locations

Desired qualifications:

• Farming experience on a mixed vegetable farm
• Experience with small farm infrastructure: irrigation, basic carpentry, vehicle/machinery maintenance
• Able to lift up to 50 pounds repetitively and do physical labor for long hours
• Current driver’s license and clean driving record
• Experienced and safety-conscious with tractors and implements
• Self-motivated and able to keep focused on task at hand
• Strong communication, organization and interpersonal relationship skills that would encourage a collaborative atmosphere

Our ideal person…

• ...is enthusiastic about growing high quality, delicious food and teaching others to do the same
• ...has the physical & mental stamina to keep a good attitude throughout the season
• ...is able to work closely with others in a respectful, patient and encouraging manner
• ...enjoys gathering and acting upon feedback from our CSA members, Market goers and our board members
• ...doesn’t mind dancing in the fields or busting out in song every now and then (choice of song is all yours)

Our farm is a combination of two locations, within a few miles of each of other, totaling 5 acres of land. We are located in Tampa, tucked away between a residential and commercial area and in our own little haven. Being right in the heart of Tampa, just a mile from the Tampa International Airport, and easy access to the Interstate system, the farm is close to shopping, great restaurants, parks, and lots of places for entertainment. If you prefer the more quiet life, the farm is surrounded by large oak trees, Sweetwater creek and really feels like a hidden oasis in the big city.

We grow over 100 varieties of vegetables, herbs, and fruit, all chosen for flavor, nutrition, beauty & suitability to our climate. In addition to our fields, we have a quaint farm house setting at our main location with beautiful old oaks and other trees that provide refuge for songbirds and squirrels. In addition to our 2002 farmhouse we have 2 barns, 2 greenhouses, office cabin, bath house, tree house office, multiple tool and equipment sheds and well pump shed. We practice certified organic methods, steward our land responsibly and consider farming and education as our form of community activism.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, under $15/hr

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline