Founded in 2003, Balsam Farms is located on the South Fork of the beautiful East End of Long Island. We started farming with ten rented acres, one tractor, and a small roadside Farm Stand. We’ve learned and grown a lot since then, and today we farm approximately 150 acres of vegetables, flowers and herbs between the villages of Amagansett and Sagaponack, and an additional 60 acres of grain and straw. We also have four greenhouses: two for seedlings, and two for spring tomatoes and winter greens. As our farm has grown, so has our equipment collection and our staff. We now have over 30 tractors, many specialized implements, along with professional and skilled farm and field crews that make it all run. We feel very lucky to farm in such a beautiful place, on some of the most productive land in the world, and we are grateful for the support of our community that makes it all possible.
 

We strive to provide our community with a diverse selection of the freshest, highest quality produce grown in a responsible, sustainable manner. While we are not a certified organic farm, we are committed to growing in accordance with organic principles. That means taking care of our soils and using inputs and amendments that have been approved for organic production by the Organic Materials Review Institute. Sweet corn, pumpkins, and basil are the only conventionally grown crops we grow, in fields separate from the rest of our crops. We do not grow any genetically engineered (GE) or genetically modified (GMO) crops at all, including our corn varieties.
 

As farmers, we are stewards of the land we work and depend on. Maintaining healthy soils is at the foundation of sustainable farming and growing quality, healthy foods. We take care of our soils through crop rotation and by growing cover crops to help build soil structure. We encourage a strong and diverse soil biology and ecology, and implement innovative pest and disease management methods. We also test our soils annually to continually assess how we can improve growing conditions and fertility.
 

Our commitment to good food also means a commitment to safe food, and that includes the ways we plant, grow, harvest, wash, pack, and deliver our produce to you. During harvest it means washing hands, harvest tools, and harvest bins, and maintaining clean washing and packing areas. After harvest we immediately clean, hydrate, and cool crops with fresh water, pack them in clean bins, and quickly store them at proper temperatures in our coolers to ensure that we provide our customers and CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) members with the freshest and safest produce possible. Our commitment also extends to all our jarred goods and prepared foods, which are always made fresh in certified kitchens by skilled chefs trained in the most current food safety standards.

We believe knowing and being able to talk to the people that grow your food is one of the best parts about local agriculture. If you have any questions, please ask us, we’re happy to share our knowledge with you.

Balsam Farms is currently hiring for the Summer 2022 season at our Amagansett farm stand, an outdoor work environment that is open in all weather, rain or shine. Employment would begin in late May 2022, and would be available through October/November, potentially later depending on the individual and job abilities.
Farm stand employees are responsible for many things including but not limited to: washing, packing, and preparing produce for sale; stocking products and rotating displays; answering customer questions & offering product suggestions; operating a cash register; and general cleaning/organizing.
Daily jobs at the farm stand vary by individual and experience. Daily jobs can repeat multiple days in a row, or can change on a rotating basis depending on the needs of the day.
This is a physical job that requires standing for most or all of the work shift, and the ability to consistently lift and move 30+ lbs, as well as bend, reach, and stretch. Applicants must be comfortable being customer facing (including register work) and taking direction from farm stand general managers. Additional opportunities for growth are available if you are willing to commit to and work for the full farm season (May - November), and/or for multiple seasons. 

Shifts are generally in the morning from 8 am - 2 pm or 8 am - 3 pm and in the afternoon from 1 - 7 pm or 12 - 7 pm (8 pm starting July 4th). 

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
- Prepare produce for sale (i.e. wash/pack produce according to farm stand protocols). 

- Keep proper rotation in storage coolers and dry goods areas, and stock produce & displays when directed.

- Interact with customers including answering product-specific questions, pricing inquiries, and general questions.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

- Wide knowledge of fruits & vegetables is a big plus but not required. A willingness and curiosity to learn is just as good!
- Experience with customer service preferred but not required  

- Strong time management skills, detail oriented, and ability to plan ahead

- Strong communication and interpersonal skills; friendly demeanor; positive attitude  

- Reliable and trustworthy; responsible; strong work ethic

- Ability to lift 30+ lbs, stand for extended periods of time, and work outside (rain or shine) 

- Ability to work weekends/holidays during employment 
- Experience working on a farm or a wide knowledge and love of fresh fruits and vegetables strongly preferred but not required