Company description

Apricot Lane Farms is a 214-acre organic and biodynamic farm located 40 miles north of Los Angeles and 20 miles east of Ventura in Moorpark, CA. Our team has been charged with the mission of creating a well-balanced ecosystem and rich soils that produce nutrient-dense foods while treating the environment and the animals with respect.

Our farm residents include pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, ducks, guinea hens, horses, highland cattle, and one brown swiss dairy cow named “Maggie.” Our land consists of Biodynamic Certified avocado and lemon orchards, a vegetable garden, pastures, and over 75 varieties of stone fruit.

Job description

Apricot Lane Farms is a 214-acre organic and biodynamic farm located 40 miles north of Los Angeles and 20 miles east of Ventura in Moorpark, CA. Apricot Lane Farms is a farm integrated within a reawakened ecosystem. Our focus is seeing and utilizing the interconnectedness of nature to help build soil health, maximize biodiversity, and regeneratively grow the most nutrient-dense food possible. We are seeking a talented and experienced Farm Fertility Assistant to support our farm-wide fertility program. The Farm Fertility Assistant is responsible for the daily tasks of the Fertility Center, caring for compost piles farm-wide, maintaining a 40-foot flow-through worm bin, all aspects of Biodynamic preparations, under the direction of the Director of Soil and Plant Fertility.

Job Duties

• Fertility tasks include, but are not limited to, manure collection, weekly feeding, watering, temperature monitoring, harvesting of the 40ft worm bin, compost tea making, thorough cleaning and proper injection of the compost tea brewers, the organization and cleanliness of the VC and other related tasks.

• Windrow compost tasks include, but are not limited to, recordkeeping, monitoring moisture and temperature, coordinating & facilitating compost turns, and applying Biodynamic preparations.

• Beekeeping program tasks include, but are not limited to, hive maintenance, the cleansing and preparation of all bee supplies, digitization and updating of the “Bee Journal”.

• Biodynamic preparation tasks include but are not limited to, monitoring moisture of the Biodynamic preparations, using & caring for the stirring machine and spray rig.

• Operate fertigation machine on weekly and monthly basis for pastures and orchards.

• Organize and maintain shared Google Drive resources, i.e., compost logs, Azolla records, bee notes, etc.

• Assist with approved research projects and experimentation.

• Organize and maintain digital storage of past and present farm research data.

• Research compost, fertility, irrigation, pathology, varietals, and pollination issues as requested

• Maintain organization and cleanliness of the Fertility Center complex.

Requirements

● Ability to interact with all levels of guests, management, and staff.

● Ability to work well in a team and independently with minimal oversight.

● Must be willing and able to walk up hilly and steep terrain daily.

● Be able/willing to work outside in a variety of extreme weather conditions—rain, cold, heat and wind.

● Ability to lift and carry a minimum of 35 pounds with and/or without assistance.

Background and Experience:

● Excellent communication skills

● Detail-oriented and well-organized

● Passion for composting and soil fertility

● Desire to be part of a dynamic team

● Tractor experience (preferred)

● Experience with compost/vermicompost (preferred)

Benefits:

● Excellent Health Benefits, 401K, 401K Matching, Paid Sick Time, Paid Holidays, Paid Vacation, Employee Discount, Employee Assistance Program

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $15-20/hr

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline

Attachment

click here to download the attached document.