Company description

Pete’s Greens is a certified organic, four-season vegetable farm located on the edge of Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom in Craftsbury, VT. We believe wholeheartedly that as more Vermonters eat locally, we will become healthier as communities and as individuals. That is why we grow a wide range of organic produce that is available through our weekly food delivery program, our seasonal Craftsbury Farmstand, and at restaurants, co-ops, grocery stores, schools, and more across Vermont and nearby in New England.

We grow about 200 varieties of vegetables on over 300 acres of land. Our selection of organic produce includes all your standards as well as interesting and unique specialty vegetables with an emphasis on baby greens, heirloom tomatoes, and root crops.

Job description

We are seeking someone to join our vegetable farming team in Craftsbury. Pete’s Greens is looking for a dependable Field Lead to join our diversified organic vegetable farm.

We grow a wide variety of certified organic vegetables for CSA and wholesale. The Field Lead works closely with the Farm Manager to help carry out daily field and harvest priorities and lead the crew through the work that needs to get done.

This is a highly hands-on position. The Field Lead will spend most of the growing season working alongside the crew in the fields, helping with planting, weeding, harvesting, and crop care while also keeping the team organized and moving efficiently.

The right person is a strong worker and communicator who can take direction from the Farm Manager, turn that direction into a clear plan for the crew, and help make sure work is completed carefully and efficiently. We are also willing to train someone who is confident they want a career in vegetable farming and who has spent time working and performing field work on a commercial vegetable farm.

Responsibilities

• Lead and work alongside field crews throughout the day
• Take daily and weekly direction from the Farm Manager and help the crew execute field priorities
• Help organize crew members and communicate tasks clearly
• Walk the farm and complete the Harvest List twice each week, assessing crop readiness and what is available for upcoming harvests
• Harvest vegetables according to daily sales, CSA, and wholesale needs
• Maintain accurate awareness of crops currently available in the field and in storage
• Manage and maintain cooler inventory year-round
• Help coordinate the movement of harvested vegetables into coolers and communicate inventory information to others on our farm team
• Participate directly in planting, transplanting, weeding, cultivation, and other field work
• Help with ongoing crop care and maintenance throughout the growing season
• Scout crops for pests, diseases, crop-health concerns, and soil-health issues
• Communicate crop problems and changing field conditions to the Farm Manager
• Monitor crop maturity and quality and identify vegetables that are ready for harvest
• Help ensure vegetables are harvested carefully and meet quality standards
• Train and support crew members in efficient, safe, and high-quality field and harvest practices
• Help keep the crew productive and on task throughout the workday
• Operate tractors and farm equipment when needed and appropriately trained
• Assist with irrigation, cultivation, and other crop-production work as directed
• Maintain a positive, productive, and collaborative work environment
• Help with other farm-production tasks as seasonal needs change

Winter Responsibilities

The Field Lead is a year-round position, although the work changes considerably with the seasons. During the winter, responsibilities may include:

• Managing and maintaining cooler and storage-crop inventory
• Monitoring the quality and condition of stored vegetables
• Helping with seed starting and transplant production
• Assisting with greenhouse work
• Helping cover and uncover greenhouse crops and tunnels as weather and temperatures require
• Working in the washhouse with vegetable washing, packing, and order preparation
• Assisting with other winter farm projects and production needs

We're Looking for Someone Who Is:

• Reliable, punctual, and hardworking
• Comfortable leading a crew while working alongside them
• Able to take direction and independently carry out assigned priorities
• A clear and respectful communicator
• Organized and attentive to detail
• Comfortable keeping track of several crops, harvest needs, and inventory at once
• Observant and interested in crop health and quality
• Able to recognize potential pest, disease, or soil-health problems and communicate concerns
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change based on weather, harvests, sales, or crop conditions
• Willing to learn new skills and take on different types of farm work throughout the year
• Comfortable working outdoors in a wide range of weather conditions
• Physically capable of the walking, lifting 50 lbs, sometimes repeatedly, bending, carrying, and repetitive work involved in vegetable production
• Able to lead by example and help create a productive, positive working environment
• Previous experience with diversified vegetable farming, harvesting, crew leadership, crop care, tractors, cultivation equipment, or organic production is helpful. Experience with vegetable storage and cooler inventory is also helpful.
• Some Spanish language is a plus and very helpful

Schedule

This is a full-time, year-round position. Hours and responsibilities vary seasonally. During the main growing and harvest season, earlier mornings or longer days may occasionally be required depending on weather, harvest needs, and farm priorities.

Winter work generally shifts toward storage crops, cooler inventory, greenhouse production, washhouse work, and other seasonal farm projects. Specific schedule expectations will be discussed during the interview process.

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive pay based on experience

Year-round employment

Employee discount

Housing assistance may be available, including subsidized farm housing or a housing credit, depending on availability and individual circumstances

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $20/hr +

Application instructions

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Deadline

no deadline