Farm crew position Midwinter Farms
- Date Posted November 12, 2018
- Location Ancram, NY
- Category Agriculture
- Job type Part-Time
About Us
Midwinter Farms is small, dynamic farm in the Hudson Valley providing quality vegetables, herbs, edible flowers, cut flowers, pork, chicken, eggs, and honey to our restaurant, Midwinter Kitchen, in New York City. We are entering our sixth year, and are very excited for season 2019. Part of our mission is to bring aspiring, like-minded folks to the farm to continue to incorporate new ideas, grow with our restaurant’s needs, and experiment with our farm’s systems, while being thoughtful stewards of the land.
We manage a total of 90 acres in Ancram, almost all forested, with .75 acres in vegetable production, 1.5 acres in cover crop, and 5 acres in rotational grazing for our chickens and pigs. Though we are not certificated organic, we do subscribe to a best practice and holistic philosophy that includes reduced tillage and cover cropping. In 2019, we would like to remain steady and strong with the successes that we’ve achieved over the years, while slowly expanding a few of our systems and projects, such as light, rotational hog grazing in the woods, increasing our flock of hens from 400-600, honing our compost making production, and providing perennial and annual cut flowers to our restaurant. We will continue raising roughly 75-80 pigs year round, as well as 1500 broilers in movable tractors from mid April to late October.
Besides all gardening tasks, which make up 75 percent of the position, the applicant must also be willing to work with livestock in doing chores, cleanings, fencing, pasture rotation, and loading. You will also be required to help in property maintenance, which entails mowing and tree/brush clearing. You must absolutely be willing to work in all weather conditions, but still understand it is a “weather permitting” job. Must also be willing, (and hopefully enjoy!) very physical, labor intensive work. Some tasks may be tedious at times, but we are looking for someone who can make the best of any situation and enjoy being on our small team. Knowledge in greenhouse propagation, composting systems, and using a BCS and Kubota tractor would be helpful.
Skills and Qualifications
- Enjoys farming and working outside
- Minimum 1 full season on a market to mid size garden with greenhouse propagation experience
- Hard working and efficient
- Positive, happy attitude. Sense of humor is always a bonus!
- Can follow written and oral instructions and take constructive feedback
- Attention to detail
- Can be flexible with daily tasks
- Ability to work in a team, as well as work independently
- Can lift minimum 50 Lbs, and can pull heavy chicken tractors
- Arrives on time with tools and weather-ready
- Can work in ALL conditions, especially wind and rain.
- Shares the same philosophy in organic and humane practices
We are looking for someone who is independent and would like working alone for a half day on Sundays. Must be able to follow written instructions and can troubleshoot if need be.
Season: Late April/Early May- Mid November (just before Thanksgiving)
Hours: Sunday 9AM-2PM; Monday & Tuesday- 7:30AM-5:30PM with a half hour to 45 minute, paid lunch (excluding Sundays)
Compensation: $12/ hr + a weekly supply of all the veggies you can eat, cut flowers, and monthly meat. We unfortunately cannot provide housing. Your farm pup may be welcome to join you at work, ONLY after meeting and seeing if he/she is obedient, listens to commands, and can happily join the pack.
Compensation this position is : hourly Application instructions