Company description

Homesteads for Hope is a 501(c)3 nonprofit Community Farm offering family memberships, educational and vocational programs, classes, and public and private events. The concept was founded in 2013 by a mother and daughter raising a young adult with autism. In September of 2016 a team of like-minded parents, professionals, and collaborators came together to purchase our 55-acre farm on the banks of the Historic Erie Canal in Rochester, New York.

Homesteads for Hope is replicating a national model of intentional communities serving people with and without disabilities providing a place to learn, work, live, and grow. The vision is to make a profound impact on the lives of individuals and their families through community integration, collaboration, and empowerment.

About the Farm

- In 2026, we plan to grow 3 acres of produce, including an orchard, 2 greenhouses and 5 high tunnels.

- We have an established customer base, having had a CSA membership for 6 years now.

- Our farm and the work we do on it is a life skill classroom for apprentices in our programs.

- Because of our collaboration with schools and volunteers, at any given time there can be anywhere from a few of us to 30 or more people out in the fields.

- Our produce is grown using strict organic and sustainable practices. Many cover crops are used, and crops are rotated each year. Soil health is always prioritized.

- We love growing a wide variety and always having new things to plant and harvest. This means we grow 30 different crops and over 150 varieties of these crops.

- We are here to work hard, but growth is prioritized. We’d rather do something well, and learn lessons from the effort that it takes, than rush through it.

- Our Farm Manager will be entering his 15th growing season and loves to share all the knowledge gained, as well as learn plenty of new things himself, with the crew each year.

Job description

Seasonal, begins March and ends November 2026

40 hours per week

$22 per hour

Involved in all farm work, reporting directly to the Farm Manager

Assisting with greenhouse propagation and watering, field preparation, transplanting, irrigation, trellising, weeding, harvesting, washing produce, preparing CSA shares, leading apprentices, setting up for large volunteer groups, and all other farm-related tasks.

Farm crew focus is on vegetables, herbs, and the orchard, but members of the crew will be expected to chip in and help in other areas (animals, flowers, events, etc.)

Responsible for taking care of greenhouse, irrigation, and animals on designated weekend days. Responsibilities for these days will be detailed.

This is a small-scale farm, which means not all tasks are done by equipment. The applicant should be prepared to plant and weed on their knees, carry 40+ lb. crates of produce, and spend all day on their feet.

Overseeing packing for orders and donations, as well as checking inventory in store and market stand.

Qualifications

Two years of experience in vegetable production

Interest in sustainable agriculture and innovative growing methods

Passion for farming in a therapeutic setting

Eagerness to work alongside people of all ability levels

Reliable, efficient, self-motivated, inquisitive, respectful, detail-oriented, resourceful, problem solver

Willing to work both in a group setting and alone

Open to working in all weather conditions

Able to transition between an intense, efficient working style and a kind, patient approach to apprentices and volunteers

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

Deadline

November 30, 2025