Wild Hope Farm is a certified organic farm in Chester, SC, specializing in vegetable and flower production. The 220 acre property consists of 12 acres in cultivation, greenhouses, walking trails, a 10-acre pond, and diversified natural areas. Our produce is sold through a 300-400 person CSA farm share, to local food hubs and chefs, and at two farmers markets in the greater Charlotte area (Uptown and Matthews Farmers Markets). We also host complementary on-farm events including retreats, farm-to-table dinners, and educational workshops to cultivate community and encourage people to learn about our farming practices.

We are looking for a proactive individual with some prior experience in production farming and an ability to work independently as well as with the crew. As a Field Assistant at Wild Hope, you are an integral member of our team of 10-15 employees. Your ability to keep the farm organized, moving efficiently, and prepared for future tasks, is critical to the overall success of our operation. Over the course of the season, you will be exposed to all aspects of our farm and deepen your knowledge of our regenerative organic farming methods including: CSA planning, produce harvest and post-harvest techniques, transplanting, cultivation, cover cropping, flower production, soil health improvement strategies, customer interfacing and small farm marketing. 

During your time at Wild Hope Farm, you will work directly under our Crew Manager, Rachel Klein. Along with our Field Manager, Joe Rowland, the pair have a combined 20 years experience in sustainable agriculture. 

HARVEST & MARKET ASSISTANT 

The harvest & market assistant is responsible for handling finished produce from the field to customer boxes or farmers market booths. This person assists with the daily harvest and pack, and oversees our booths at the Uptown and Matthews Farmers Markets. During non harvesting times, this person helps to plan and organize for future harvests or join in with the crew in planting and weeding operations.

HARVEST RESPONSIBILITIES

• Help with daily harvest, washing, and packing operations
• Pack CSA shares according to plan
• Sort and grade produce
• Keep the wash house clean and organized
• Coordinate the crew doing pack shed activities
• Restock packing materials & communicate with the harvest manager when additional supplies are needed
• Manage cooler inventory
• Maintain safe storage of cooler inventory
• Coordinate use of farm crew as needed

• Lead the planning, preparing and packing for the Farmers Market on Fridays

• Set-up and break-down of the market booth on Saturday 

• Record keeping of market sales using the Square App
• Saturday recap to team of market sales
• Strategizing on quantities / varieties to bring to market and other ideas for increasing market sales

• Seeding, transplanting, weeding, thinning and other field work

QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 1 season harvesting at an outdoor vegetable farm (CSA farm experience preferred)
• Personable, able to interact with all types of customers and patient when dealing with difficult customers
• Solid understanding of harvest methods for all types of vegetables
• Knowledge of vegetable storage methods and requirements
• Knowledge of food safety standards
• Ability to identify all types of vegetables
• Ability to sort/grade produce for quality
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Ability to efficiently motivate and direct people during harvest and packing operations
• Ability to bend, kneel, and lift frequently

• • $13/hr
  • Provided fresh produce from the farm
  • Great learning opportunity working with a small crew running a production farm

HOUSING

• Nearby (on the other side of the farm but driving is required) housing is available for this position. Option to either pay rent $400/mo or do a work trade mowing/maintaining in exchange for rent. 
• Pets are not allowed.