Company description

Good Cheer Food Bank serves the South end of Whidbey Island. We are a choice-based food bank and focus on providing whole foods and fresh produce. The garden is a program of the larger Good Cheer organization, which also operates the food bank and two thrift stores.

Our garden program focuses on growing produce and supplying the food bank in the fall, winter and spring when produce donations are at their lowest. We cultivate 1.25 acres on 2 sites, following organic practices and low- to-no-till principles. We have minimal machinery and everything is done by hand: silage tarps and a mower allow us to manage cover crops and other organic matter, materials are moved with wheelbarrows, and beds are broadforked and shaped with rakes or a tilther.

The garden team is composed of 3 individuals: two Garden Coordinators and a seasonal Garden Associate. We are currently hiring a Garden Associate. Shared leadership is a central facet of the garden team and overall Good Cheer culture– all members of our team hold responsibility in the decision making process.

Job description

Position Details

We are a small crew, so tasks are often performed as a team but you can expect to occasionally work independently.

Field Work (85%)

• Field Work
  • Transplanting
  • Amending/ plant and soil care
  • Weeding- with standing tools and by hand
  • Bed prep- adding compost, manure, raking, broadforking, and shaping beds
  • Miscellaneous projects- trellising, woodchipping, pruning, tarping etc.
• Irrigation
  • Shared responsibility for daily/weekend watering and minor repairs
  • Assist with major repairs and installation
• Harvesting, washing, and packing
• Site maintenance
  • Support mowing, composting, keeping a clean workplace, and general repairs

Management and Coordination (15%)

• Internal Communications
  • Attend monthly peer check ins
  • Support Garden Team communication with the Food Bank Team
• Record keeping
  • Assist with maintaining records of volunteer hours, harvest data, planting data, and purchases
  • Help ensure volunteers are following food safety guidelines
• Volunteer coordination
  • Assist with planning and preparing for volunteer days
  • Work with volunteers in a supportive role on designated weekly volunteer days
  • Lead small groups of volunteers independently during large community work days (on average, twice per month)

Position Requirements

• Physical and mental strength to perform hard, manual labor outdoors in all weather conditions

• Ability to lift, carry, and drag at least 50 lbs

• Strong initiative and strong, self-motivated work ethic

• Positive attitude, and ability to function as a supportive team member

• Interest in connecting with and supporting the community

• 1-2 years of previous farm or garden experience is preferred

Compensation & Schedule

• Temporary position (April-September)

• Average of 40 hours per week

• Monday-Friday with weekend responsibilities one-two weekends per month

• Compensation at an hourly rate of $18.76

• Vacation and Sick time

• Discount at Good Cheer thrift stores

• Fresh produce from the garden

Compensation

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

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline