Cedar Circle Farm and Education Center is a nonprofit, certified organic farm located on over 50 acres of conserved land along the Connecticut River in East Thetford, Vermont. Our organization has a deep commitment to developing regenerative agriculture systems for our annual vegetable and flower production and to offering educational programming that builds connections between our food, ecosystems, and community.

Our farm is a community hub with a farmstand, retail greenhouses, a farm kitchen, a coffee shop, a cut flower garden, education programs, and unique CSA options. It’s a place where folks can learn about and deepen their appreciation for organic regenerative agriculture.

Our staff is a reflection of our community and is the most essential aspect of our farm. When you join our dynamic team, you’ll have the opportunity to make valuable contributions to our greater mission of promoting organic, regenerative farming and the transition to a localized food economy!

Year Round
Full Time March - October, Part Time November - February

ABOUT THE POSITION
We believe it takes self-initiative, constant and thoughtful communication, a strong belief in the purpose/impact of our work, creativity, and love and appreciation for one another in order to accomplish the challenge that is diversified vegetable farming. We are currently seeking agriculturalists (or folks with experience in other related hands-on trades) who are ready to be a vibrant part of our mission to grow healthy and abundant food for our community in an ecologically conscious way.

As a member of our team you should expect to be involved in the day-to-day planning and problem solving involved in the operation of our farm. Together we grow vegetables and berries on ~15 acres while managing the fallow years for a remaining 15. In addition to our outdoor space we grow extended season crops in 10 high tunnels and produce retail vegetable starts for sale in conjunction with our Annuals and Perennials team. Our focus is on the full cultivation of the crops we grow at Cedar Circle, from seed to washed-and-packed product, and our farmstand team takes it from there.

One of the most exciting aspects of diversified vegetable farming is the variety of work involved. While specializing and honing skills in one particular area enables a farmer to take pride and ownership in the work that they do, having a varied set of responsibilities keeps the work sustainable, interesting, and engaging. Our team is always working towards a model that provides both of these experiences for all team members.

RESPONSIBILITIES
The Wash/Pack Lead supports all aspects of Cedar Circle’s farm operations with a primary focus on performing and overseeing the washing and packing of vegetables, fruits, and herbs. This position is unique in that it facilitates relationships between the vegetable production team, kitchen, and farmstand. Primary tasks include making sure both departments are well stocked, that waste is being properly managed and recaptured via the kitchen and that feedback from these two outlets is being communicated back to the production team so that we can ensure the highest quality of produce. Though CCFEC is not a wholesale farm, we do maintain a small-scale wholesale program with the community, which the PA Lead manages in conjunction with the Vegetable Production Manager and Farmstand Manager.

Interest in facilitating strong communication and devising efficient, repeatable workflows is a must. When available, the PA Lead participates in, and leads, daily farm tasks including field cultivation, planting, irrigation, weeding, vegetable harvests, tractor work, etc.

A non-comprehensive list of the PA leads specific day-to-day tasks is below:

• Clearly communicate and delegate weekly and daily harvest and processing priorities to field crew
• Train and mentor production crew members in performance of harvest and packing duties, ensuring food safety, and product quality standards are met and that required records are being kept.
• Enforce existing post-harvest handling practices to ensure freshness, cleanliness, and quality of produce.
• Ensure proper storage conditions
• Remove and divert expired produce that is no longer up to retail standards
• Work alongside crew in leadership role when not engaged in the PA
• Act as point of contact to answer harvest and processing questions as they develop throughout the day
• Help to establish positive and nurturing work environment for all members of crew
• Promptly address any staffing issues that may arise in conjunction with other members of the leadership team.
• Communicate effectively with farm stand, kitchen, farmers market personnel, and wholesale accounts.
• Ensure harvest and packing tasks are performed in a timely, effective, safe, and efficient manner
• Act as a knowledge base for the farm stand and kitchen ensuring that questions about the use and display of produce is answered in conjunction with the rest of the leadership team
• Ensure that all orders are packed accurately, clearly labeled, and accounted for and that produce availability and storage location is concisely communicated to farm stand and kitchen.
• Maintain clean and organized walk-ins and food storage areas
• Maintain cleanliness of processing area (PA)
• Maintain inventory of packing and washing supplies for PA
• Assist in crop planning efforts

• At least two seasons previous vegetable farming experience
• Comfortability in managing people and competency delivering clear directions
• Experience leading a team
• Clear and concise recordkeeping and note taking skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Strict attention to detail and strong understanding of washing and packing standards
• Positive, energetic interpersonal skills and passion for mentoring new farmers
• Ability to take direction, ask for help/clarity, give/accept constructive feedback on work and technique
• Clear, consistent communication skills
• Flexible, creative, able to perform well in diverse conditions and under pressure
• Ability to work for long durations in inclement weather – standing, sitting, bending over, or kneeling
• Ability to lift 40 lbs regularly
• Ready to commit for more than one year (2+ preferred)

The Wash/Pack Lead is an hourly position with benefits including health benefits (50% of the group premium is employer paid), paid time off, fresh produce, and a 20% discount to our farmstand. Pay range is $17-18/hour, DOE.