The Hudson Valley Farm Hub (HVFH) is a non-profit center for resilient agriculture located in Ulster County, New York.  Founded in 2013, HVFH is dedicated to fostering an equitable and ecologically resilient food system in the Hudson Valley.  We provide professional farmer training, host and conduct research, cultivate language justice, and support food access efforts in the region through food donations and innovative mission-aligned programming.  We grow grains, cover crops, and vegetables with production taking place year-round across 1500 acres of farmland and a suite of greenhouses.  A diverse, multi-lingual staff serve in varied roles in areas of administration, farm operations, and programs.

The Ideal Candidate: The ideal candidate for this position is someone who finds endless wonder in the world of seeds. They are able to see the Seed Growing Program as nested in a larger ecological, cultural and agricultural system to which we are in service. The assistant should be enthusiastic about using their wide range of skills to support existing and emerging programs led by current team members. This person has the ability to navigate between deskwork and field work as well as the between the social aspect of teamwork and the self-motivated focus of solo productivity. They experience the joy and satisfaction of hands-on, hard work yielding beauty and bounty in the garden. The ideal candidate also has experience engaging with seeds that have significant cultural importance. A person who is practiced in intentional and caring ways of working with people across a wide range of cultural, spiritual, agricultural, and organizational backgrounds will thrive in this position.

Position Summary: The Seed Growing Program at the Hudson Valley Farm Hub is engaged in supporting culturally, agriculturally, and personally resonant relationships between seeds and people.  Reporting to the Seed Growing Program Manager, the Seed Growing Program Assistant will be a key member of the Seed Growing Program Team. In this position, you will support the vision and purpose of the program and assist with all aspects of the department. The position is foundational to seed care needs and requires consistent hands-on garden and field work as well as focused administrative and research support desk work. The balance of indoor office responsibilities and outdoor garden and farm work activities will shift seasonally, but both will be required throughout the year.

Responsibilities include:

Field

• Participate in all aspects of hand-scale garden work and seed production following the seasonality of planting, maintenance & harvest

Administrative

• Hold crucial fiscal, communications, and documentation responsibilities

Research / Education

• Support research projects and program events with planned and emergent activities

*The position summary, responsibilities and qualifications are not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible responsibilities, tasks and duties. Full job description is available upon request. 

Required Qualifications:

• Three plus years hands-on field experience in gardening or agriculture
• Two plus years administrative support experience
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to communicate in a friendly professional manner with customers and co-workers
• Working knowledge of computer programs such as MS Excel, Google Sheets, MS Outlook,
• English language proficiency (verbal and written)
• Willingness to have a flexible schedule with weekend, holiday, and evening hours required during the growing season
• Commitment to and willingness to deepen understanding of the Farm Hub’s mission and values of equity and ecological resilience
• Demonstrated ability to participate in and foster a work environment of mutual respect and collaboration; ability to develop positive working relationships and problem solve with people of different backgrounds

Preferred Qualifications:

• Seed saving experience; plant breeding experience
• Plant related research experience and/or research in plant-people relationships
• Spanish language proficiency
• Experience and interest in interdisciplinary work
• Lived experience and/or familiarity with one or more approaches to botany, agriculture, plant breeding and seed keeping including Traditional Ecological Knowledge, queer or non-binary lenses, regenerative concepts, culturally embedded seedways

Position Details & Typical Schedule: The Seed Growing Program Assistant position is a full-time, non-exempt, hourly position. Compensation for this position is $22.00-$26.00 per hour with housing not included. We offer 100% employer paid health and dental insurance for full-time employees and their families. Additional competitive benefits are offered including retirement plan and wellness benefits.   Hours per week of 37.5-40 hours per week. Seasonally dependent weekend hours may be required; occasional evenings (rare) may be required.

Hudson Valley Farm Hub (HVFH) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, socio-economic status, disability, or medical condition. HVFH complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and candidates with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the People & Culture department at hr[at]hvfarmhub.org.