Company description
Two organic farms are collaborating to hire a full time farm hand (each week being split 2 days at one farm, 3 days at the other). Both farms are located relatively close to one another, just west of Fairbanks, Alaska. This is the perfect opportunity for someone looking to start their own farm in the future.
Farm 1:
Goosefoot Farm grows 5-acres of diverse organically-grown vegetables and 110-acres of hay. They sell at the Tanana Valley Farmers Market, in a small CSA, and to a few local restaurants. Cultivation is done by both tractor and by hand. This coming season will be their fifth.
Farm 2:
Cripple Creek Organics is diversified operation (milk and veg) with two acres of cultivated land. There is approximately one acre in vegetables, certified organic through the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA). Markets are a joint CSA (yet another collaboration), one restaurant, an on-site farm stand, and fall sales events of storage crops. The other acre will be in managed pasture for the first time in 2018. There are a small number of cows providing milk for a herd-share program (raw milk). Milking will begin in mid-July. This coming summer will be the 8th in operation.
Both farms take great pride in their products and community. Our geographical location far from agricultural centers requires an extra measure of determination. There is a saying that Alaska is the last frontier. This is definitely still the case when it comes to agriculture.
Job description
Start date is 5/15/2018, ending date is 9/15/2018. These are somewhat flexible. The stipend is $1250/month (for these 4 months). A 40-hour work week is expected. Two days will be spent on Cripple Creek Organics and three days on Goosefoot Farm. In this way, we are happy to offer a full time position.
Accommodations include a privately situated vintage 20-ft travel trailer, located on Goosefoot Farm. The trailer has electricity and a functioning kitchen (refrigerator and stove, but not running water). Running water and an outhouse are available on site. Transportation is included for getting between farms and around town. You are on your own for meals, however vegetables (and eventually milk) will be unlimited once we begin to harvest.
The job includes all aspects of organic vegetable production, from seeding all the way through to harvest. Both farms grow directly from seed as well as start their own transplants. Early season is generally dominated by bed preparation, planting and weeding. This summer, Cripple Creeks Organic is planning for an early harvest of greens from a high tunnel as well.
As both farms grow a variety of crops, one can expect learning specifics on each vegetable, how it is grown and how to harvest. A partial list includes: spinach, salad greens such as mustards and arugula, lettuce, carrots, parsnips, beets, turnips, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, chard, peas, cabbage, broccoli, winter squash, garlic, and onions. In both jobs, you will work alongside the farmer(s).
The equipment used on each farm matches their scale. While Goosefoot can use a tractor in the field, Cripple Creek Organics is smaller and terraced, making a walk-behind BCS tractor a better fit. Both farms have irrigation, but different systems there as well. For someone interested in starting their own farm, these sorts of comparisons would be of great interest.
Cripple Creek Organics will be milking two cows in addition to the vegetable production. The first calf is expected in mid July. Working with the dairy cows and milking is an option if there is interest. Milk is distributed though a herd-share program in which customers pick up on the farm daily. Experience with dairy is not a prerequisite for the job, but would certainly be a plus.
A list of requirements for the job:
• Physically in good health. Farming is physically demanding, both in strength and endurance. (required)
• Love of the outdoors, including a tolerance for less than comfortable weather and insect conditions (can be intense).
• Proper attire, including waterproof boots, heavy duty rain gear, warm clothes and a sun hat. The nature of our short season and harvest schedules means that we keep working through rain. Additionally, the range of temperatures we experience in any growing season will range from 30 F to 90 F.
• Valid driver’s license as you’ll need to drive between farms and to town.
• Experience with either growing your own food or working on a farm are important. This is hard work and you should know you enjoy it before making such a long journey only to find out that you don't. Also, there is a great deal to learn in this business. The more you know coming in, the more you’ll be able to absorb about the operations you’ll be working with.
• Comfortable with a remote location, peace, and quiet. A unique aspect of this job is the location. Fairbanks is in the heart of Alaska, surrounded on all sides by wilderness. Goosefoot Farm sits on the very edge of the developed outskirts of town.
Compensation
this position is: stipend / non-monetary compensation
Application instructions
This job expired on April 16, 2018
Deadline
no deadline