Company description

Ecolibrium is a bio-intensive, market garden located in the Sammamish Valley in Washington (about 10 miles from Seattle).

While our focus is on growing produce, the principles we employ in our field support the larger ecosystem within which we farm. These principles are rooted in a profound reverence and fascination with the natural world, and the belief that the more diverse the land is the more resilient the farm can be.

Techniques we use to sustain the farm and regenerate the ecological robustness of the world around us:

• Adhere to low-till methods as we prepare our beds

• Maintain organic certification - WSDA and The Real Organic Project

• No synthetic pesticides

• Targeted fertilization with granular organic amendments, reducing run-off into local waterways

• Keep the edges of the field wild so beneficial, birds, insects and fungi can have habitat

Job description

Ecolibrium Farms is hiring seasonal farm crew for the 2025 season.

Ecolibrium Farms, a diversified, organic vegetable farm in Redmond, WA is hiring energetic, hard-working field crew members to join our team.

We are driven by market gardening principles, utilizing human-scale tactics and keeping a light footprint, as we produce a large quantity of quality produce on small acreage, using ecologically-sound practices. We have high expectations of our team - both physically and mentally - and hope to build a successful team of fully committed members looking to ensure the proper function of a successful farm.

Working together and under the farm leadership team (farm manager and farm director), the field crew will be involved in most aspects of the operations required to actually run a farm. This includes bed prep, greenhouse/nursery management, planting, cultivation, irrigation and assuring harvest occurs on schedule and to a high standard of quality.

The ideal candidate will share our fervent passion for growing the best tasting food in a way that is good for the land. They will have at least one season of farming experience (internships/apprenticeships available for those who have no experience), preferably in the Pacific NW. Good communication and self-motivation are essential as the position requires daily collaboration with the entire field crew.

Due to the seasonal nature of vegetable production, this job will start in early-to-mid spring and end in the fall. For those graduating college (or college students looking for summer work), a late May/early June start date is possible. Field crew members must be willing and able to work consistent schedules - typical schedule is Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm, with a 1/2 hour unpaid lunch break. We are open to alternative schedules - including weekend work - but days need to be consistent every week. Applicants should not plan extended vacation time (i.e. missing more than two consecutive days of work) during the primary growing season (June 1-Oct 1).

This is ideally a full-time, temporary position, though with the right experience we will hire for part-time positions (minimum commitment of 3 days weekly). Compensation is $16-20/hr, depending on experience. Perks include free produce from the farm (and sometimes pastries from the Belgian bakery we sell to:)!

Skills/competencies required:

• Desire and passion for working outside, with seasonally heavy work loads and public interaction
• Enthusiasm for sustainable food production
• Maintain positive attitude and team cohesion among the field crew
• Right attitude, right effort is the foundation for the job
• Ability to lift 50+ lbs and work in all types of weather conditions
• Represent the values of the company while interacting with anyone on site or at off-site work events
• Market gardening experience (preferred)
• Experience with content (web or print) created by JM Fortier, Curtis Stone, Ben Hartman, Conor Crickmore and/or Eliot Coleman
• Familiarity with the Pacific NW climate and unique growing challenges
• Familiarity with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) standards
• Familiarity with Google Suite software
• Adaptability - ability to be flexible when changes occur: weather, tasks, etc.
• Ability to identify potential problems, make decisions and recommend viable solutions
• Drive for Results/Resource Management
• Identifies new ways to improve quality and productivity
• Uses available resources efficiently (e.g., time, materials, equipment).

Working directly with the rest of the farm crew tasks will include:

• Daily crew meetings to learn tasks for the day
• Harvest 1 - 3 days a week depending on the season
• Bed preparation
• Weeding and cultivation
• Mowing and weed whacking
• Transplanting
• General plant care
• Pruning and trellising
• Implementation of crop plan
• Perform tasks in 4-season greenhouse, propagation greenhouse and field
• Maintaining/mowing unplanted areas around production field
• Be at morning check ins to learn tasks for the day (8:00 am sharp)
• You will learn about:
  Soil fertility
  Designing and implementing irrigation for fields, orchards, greenhouses
  Including PVC piping, drip tape, sprinklers, misters
  Data collection to improve farm operations and meet organic certification needs
  Creating and maintaining logs - (i.e. greenhouse, seeding/transplanting,bed prep, harvest) with attention to detail and meticulous record keeping

We're committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life to apply.

If you are unsure about whether or not you are qualified, please don’t hesitate to shoot us an email with questions or concerns. We look forward to hearing from you!

Compensation

this position is: hourly, varies DOE, $17.00 - $21.00

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline