Common Ground Farm is a community farm and food access non-profit organization based in the City of Beacon, NY. Our mission is to serve as a model for food justice and education for people of all ages and incomes. On the farm, we grow fresh produce for food justice partnerships, farm-based education programs, and our Hudson Valley community. The farm is also a living classroom with year round education programs for children, teens and adults, including a popular summer camp. The organization’s third area of focus is local food distribution and access through the management of our two local markets: the Beacon Farmers’ Market and the Downing Park Farmers’ Market in Newburgh. We work collaboratively with multiple community organizations and agricultural businesses to address food justice from many perspectives, including our Farm to School initiative and food access partnerships.
 

The farm grows vegetables and herbs on 6 acres using organic growing practices, with about 4 acres in production and 2 acres in cover crop in a given season. Our produce is distributed to food pantries, soup kitchens, schools, and farm-based educational programs, as well as sold to summer U-Pick customers, local restaurants, and weekly at the Beacon Farmers Market and Newburgh markets. We partner with a local youth program to run a mobile farmers market in low-income neighborhoods in Beacon and work with these teens on the farm throughout the season. In 2018, we distributed over 10,000 lbs of produce to food access initiatives, and expanded our reach to the City of Newburgh through attending the Downing Park farmers’ market and two weekday mobile market stops at the Department of Health and a local church.
 

As a growing organization, we are looking for passionate and hard-working people to join our team. In 2019, we are looking for several full-time or part-time seasonal farm crew members.

Crew members will participate in all areas of farm production, including working at farmers’ markets and working with volunteers on the farm. Field tasks are mostly done by hand and will include greenhouse propagation, transplanting, seeding, weeding, irrigating, cultivating, harvesting, packing, and general field maintenance. We use a tractor for soil preparation.
 

An important and unique aspect of our farm is our relationship with the community. Crew members will meet and interact with our food pantry partners & clients, as well as have opportunities to engage with or teach youth in our educational programs and summer camp. Crew Members will also develop experience with marketing and sales via staffing our stand at the Beacon Farmers Market and working with local chefs & restaurants.
 

This job is a good fit for people who care about the larger mission but understand that their role is first and foremost to be on the farm caring for the crops in the sun and rain and dirt. Weekend and morning availability is important; part-time work is possible.
 

Job Requirements

Some farm experience would be beneficial, however applicants who are new to farming are welcome to apply as long as they have experience with physical labor and working outdoors.

• driver’s license
• excellent work ethic and physical endurance in all weather conditions
• positive attitude & flexible thinking
• able to work independently and take initiative to see projects to completion
• good communication skills; comfortable sharing and receiving feedback
• enjoys being part of a team & interacting with others throughout the work day
• strong interest in production farming & desire to improve knowledge and skills

Hours: Full-time (40 hours/week) or part-time Monday-Friday; some Saturdays & Sundays when staffing farmers’ markets
 

Dates: Start date in early April through the end of October; shorter season possible for part-time employees
 

Compensation: $11-13/hr depending on experience, produce from the farm, workers’ compensation, paid vacation & sick time