Company description

Small Farm is a 3 acre mixed vegetable, berry, and cut flower farm run by Elena Colman and Karl Goethert. We are certified organic and use no-till methods to plant intensively for our three-season CSA, four-season farm stand, farmers market, and wholesale accounts. We are a for-profit farm with a mission to:
- Increase the seasonal availability of fresh produce in our area, and create excitement around healthy food
- Operate an economically sustainable business, creating jobs that provide learning opportunities for employees
- Carefully steward the 20 acre property, using organic and no-till growing practices to improve soil health and host a biodiverse environment of plants, wildlife, and insects
- Create a supportive space where our community can interact with each other and the natural world

Work culture:
We are transparent about our production and financial plans, in order to provide staff useful tools for starting their own farm businesses and to understand their role in the bigger picture of the farm’s production. We provide knowledge and resources to support you in achieving production goals.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants with a genuine interest in learning about farming and a strong work ethic will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, or sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, parenting status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Job description

Job Summary

This is a leadership position, developing systems for and providing daily management of all flower activities at Small Farm. For the right candidate, some flower production and arranging training will be possible. Flower activities include planting, weeding, trellising, harvesting, and arranging. In the fall activities include some flower crafting, including wreath making. This position will report to Elena and work closely with Elena to create and attain quality control and production goals. This position will lead all staff while performing any flower activities, but is mostly an independent role as much of the flower work is done solo. There is potential for leading flower-related workshops on the farm or creating arrangements for special customer events, but this is not mandatory. There is also potential for joining vegetable production for a 40 hour/week position.

Occasionally this role may include vegetable crop production activities.

Requirements

At least one season working in flower production on a farm
At least one season experience arranging flowers, for florist or farm production
At least two seasons working on a production vegetable or flower farm
Demonstrated ability to manage a project independently and communicate needs to achieve a successful outcome
Understand the need for speed and efficiency, and actively seek ways to improve on these skills
Ability and willingness to communicate personal and professional needs in order to accomplish production goals and maintain a healthy working relationship with others
Physical ability to harvest field crops and transplant for up to 8 hours at time, and bend, turn, carry, and frequently lift up to 50 pounds
Ability to maintain a positive attitude during adverse working conditions
Comfortable working independently, in a group, and instructing others
Able to dress to stay warm/dry/cool while working in all weather conditions, or are ready to learn how to do so

Responsibilities

Flowers

Oversight

(Optional: review the Flower Crop Plan and make adjustments based on past experience and final 2026 Flower Production Plan)
Monitor flower supplies and submit orders when needed
Work closely with Elena to create the 2027 Flower Production Plan
Create the 2027 Flower Crop Plan to support the Flower Production Plan
General Flower Management

Identify all weekly needs for flowers including field preparation, fertilizing, planting, irrigation, weeding, and trellising
Identify weekly tasks requiring group work and report to Elena
Harvest, design and arrange flower bouquets and crafts to meet the Flower Production Plan
Train staff as needed on flower production
Act as point person for questions regarding flower production
Ensure that all record-keeping required by Baystate Organic Program is completed on weekly basis
Flower CSA Management

Document photos of the Flower CSA during each season
Write a newsletter for the Flower CSA at the beginning and end of each season
Design and lead 2 seasonal flower tours for Flower CSA members
Events (optional)

Act as point person for customers on special floral events (ie: casual wedding)
Create budgets and estimates for any floral events and report to Elena
Coordinate and perform all aspects of floral events, including: design, harvest, arrangement
Workshops (optional)

Work closely with Elena to create description and promotional materials for workshop
Write budget for workshop
Plan agenda and supplies for workshop
Lead workshop

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

Deadline

no deadline