Company description

Gateway Farm is an ambitious, cutting-edge farm project and business located in Plymouth, Michigan. It is putting into practice a regenerative, permaculture-inspired design that weaves together USDA certified organic market gardening, food forests, land regeneration and re-wilding, and is a demonstration site for these approaches. Gateway Farm is a place of abundance and beauty; a community hub offering nutrient dense food, education, events, sanctuary, and hope for the future.

In our 7 years of operation, the farm has been converted from a golf driving range to a certified organic food growing farm and community events space. In 2022 offerings were expanded beyond fresh produce to include farm tours and workshops as well as value-added products. Now in 2023-24 we are weaving all our enterprises and community network together to develop Gateway Farm into an innovative diversified farm hub.

At Gateway Farm we recognize that diverse teams make the strongest teams, and we encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. We are a proud equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusivity throughout our business.

Job description

Gateway Farm is seeking Wash Pack Crew/Coordinator to oversee documentation and flow of all incoming produce. This includes the sorting, grading, washing and packing of all produce, all while maintaining quality standards and food safety protocols. They are also responsible for packing all CSA boxes, online retail orders, wholesale orders, and a weekly farmers market offering. The people in this role will also maintain the sanitation and organization of the Wash/Pack area, as well as the inventory of all necessary supplies. A successful Wash Pack Crew/Coordinator will work closely with the Farm Directors and Coordinators.

Job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Harvesting/field work
• Documenting all incoming produce
• Sorting, grading, washing and packing all produce
• Maintaining quality
• Packing all CSA boxes, online retail orders, wholesale orders, and farmer’s market offerings
• Organization of Wash/Pack area
• Implementing food safety protocols and sanitation guidelines
• Maintaining inventory of all necessary supplies
• Cleaning and sanitizing all equipment and the room itself
• Attending any mandatory farm meetings
• Communicating effectively with all relevant parties

Gateway Farm is a small diversified business that offers work, experience and learning opportunities in a variety of roles. Each worker has a main area of responsibility and tasks. You will however, from time to time, be working in other areas of the farm as well as at our sister farm Plymouth Orchard.

There are annual and perennial crop production systems on the farms along with native and ornamental gardens, ground and infrastructure to be cared for. We also host events, markets and educational workshops, as well as attend a few off-site markets and events.

Qualifications & Experience Needed

Job Qualifications - Crew Members should be able to:

• Communicate clearly and follow instructions
• Have some knowledge of plants/gardening/farming/mechanics
• Good record keeping skills
• Cleanliness and attention to detail
• Pay attention to detail yet able to work efficiently
• Lift heavy materials, bend, kneel, squat, balance and reach, sometimes repetitively, for most tasks - able to spend the day on concrete, lifting and moving boxes of vegetables
• Be reliable, punctual and conscientious
• Operate in, and contribute to, a positive work environment
• Be available weekdays and some evenings and weekends
• Because our business is located in an area without access to reliable public transportation, we only recommend that applicants with access to a vehicle or reliable rides apply.
• Work both independently and as part of a team
• Work outdoors in most weather conditions

Preferred Experience:

• Wash Pack and or Kitchen experience
• Servsafe/Always Food Safe/AAA Food Handler Certification or equivalent
• Gardening, horticulture &/or landscaping
• Conservation &/or Natural area management
• Mid-sized to large farm/garden/lawn machine operation

• Basic farming/gardening tool use and knowledge
• Passion for growing and caring for plants, waterways and living systems

Position Details

• Employment Schedule - We are seeking both Part-Time (15 - 32 hours/week) and Full-Time team members. Gateway Farm crews generally operate daily Monday - Friday from 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., and in the evenings and weekends for education, events and market operations. Times can change with the season and weather. Crew positions generally run from mid April - mid November. Preferred candidates will have some availability on evenings and weekends
• Job Compensation - Pay starts at $15/hour for entry level employees. Experience and skill will be considered with compensation. Crew members are paid weekly. Employment opens up access to farm perks and discounts at Gateway Farm and our sister farm, Plymouth Orchards.
• There is a 40-hour trial period and a 30-day evaluation period.

Compensation

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

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline