Company description

Conundrum Farm is a 2-acre vegetable and fruit farm located in Kent, Connecticut. We grow on property leased from the Kent Land Trust, which operated under the name Marble Valley Farm for the last 18 years (where I have worked for multiple seasons).

I started Conundrum Farm last year, growing specialty sweet potatoes and native perennial plants. I also established strawberries for harvest this season. Over the winter, I acquired Marble Valley Farm and full use of the property from the Land Trust and retiring farmer. I'm thrilled to continue her good work under the Conundrum Farm name!

This will be my first year cultivating the whole property. I'm excited to have the opportunity to keep providing nutritious produce to our community, and to continue the legacy of sustainable farming on this land. We grow in accordance with organic standards, though we are not certified. We make use of a broad range of hand tools and tractor implements. A Japanese Paper Pot Transplanter is becoming an increasingly integral part of our operation.

We market primarily through our on-site farm stand and to a few local wholesale accounts. Through a collaboration with the Kent Land Trust, we are able to provide fresh Grade A produce to the Kent Food Bank. Last year we began a new food insecurity program at our on-site farm stand and hope to expand that program this year.

The farm sits on the banks of the Housatonic River, which gives the opportunity for swimming, canoeing, and kayaking. There are many local hiking options, including access to the nearby Appalachian Trail.

Note: My website and social media are still under construction. To get an idea of what the farm is like, you can look up the Facebook page of the previously existing business, Marble Valley Farm.

Job description

I am looking for an Assistant Manager who is reliable, contributes ideas, and is a good communicator. This farm has great potential for growth into new markets and we'll be building it together. I hope you will want to stay multiple seasons.

The Assistant Manager will be involved with many aspects of the farm:

-Meet with the Farm Manager every morning to go over the daily farm plan.
-Co-lead crew of 1 to 2 people and maintain quality standards.
-Help with sales: setting up the farm stand display and processing customer purchases.
-Help manage crops, in the fields and in our new SolaWrap High Tunnel.
-Harvest, weed, sow, transplant, wash and pack.
-There's a potential for some tractor work.

Requirements:

Willingness to receive and give constructive feedback.
Minimum 2 years experience growing vegetables.
Ability to show up on time. Kent is quasi-rural. If you are commuting to the farm, you will need a reliable vehicle.

Compensation:

$18-20/per hour.
If you stay the full season, and at the end of the year commit to returning, there is the potential for a bonus if we meet sales goals. Details to be discussed during the hiring process.
All-you-can-eat seconds veggies.
Position starts ASAP (by mid-March preferred, but some flexibility would be considered) and runs through Thanksgiving.
If funding for high tunnels is secured, limited work over winter is a possibility.

Work Schedule:

Monday through Friday until greenhouse heating season is over. Then Tuesday through Saturday (Saturday is our big farm stand day).
40 hours per week.
Potential for a few more hours during the peak season, if desired.

Housing:
I have an on-site apartment. There is a guest room available for affordable rent ($500 or less per month). We are not able to accommodate pets. If you are interested in the room, please include in your cover letter what you look for in a roommate.

Compensation

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

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline