Company description
The Needham Community Farm (NCF) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization with a volunteer Board of Directors, a year-round Farm Manager, a year-round Assistant Manager, a Development Director, and several seasonal staff members. Our mission is to deepen our community's connection to nature, our food system and each other. We focus on three intertwined program areas: 1) Providing farm-based educational opportunities for learning about sustainable growing and nutrition; 2) Increasing access to healthy produce for those in our community who experience food insecurity; and 3) Building community through volunteerism. We are not certified, but adhere to organic standards with minimal tillage. All of our positions are primarily focused on production, but are also heavily involved with the community, primarily through our free mobile markets (we donate about half of our produce) and volunteer groups.
Job description
The Assistant Farm Manager will be responsible for assisting in the management of all aspects of farm operations, which is primarily fieldwork as well as leading youth and adults in educational programming and volunteer days on the farm. The Assistant Farm Manager will also be responsible for managing the farm in the absence of the Farm Manager. This position reports to the Farm Manager.
This is a year-round position, with hours varying by the season, beginning in January 2026. The position has full-time hours from April through October and part-time hours for November through March, generally with 5 hours of overtime per week in the summer. This position may involve some work on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday evenings or on some weekends. The bulk of the work will be weekdays between 8 and 4.
Assist in all aspects of farm management and operations: The Assistant Farm Manager will partner with the Farm Manager to intensively grow vegetables for 80 share CSA members (both main season and late fall shares) and food donation programs using sustainable and organic methods. The farm is currently farming on 2 acres using low-till practices with 2 high tunnels and use of an offsite greenhouse.
Participate in all aspects of farm operations including:
● Farm maintenance and occasional construction projects
● Greenhouse work, transplanting, direct seeding, weeding, bed prep, pest and disease management
● Harvest, wash and pack a wide variety of vegetables
● Field walks, planning and crop status assessment
● Use of BCS walk-behind tractor for mowing, plowing and spreading compost
The Assistant Farm Manager will lead our staff in on-farm tasks, as well as taking leadership in the following areas:
Coordinate food donation programs: The Assistant Manager will manage and distribute produce through our food donation programs. ● Set up and staff 2 weekly Mobile Markets at Needham Housing Authority sites ● Work with staff at Needham Community Council to provide fresh produce for the food pantry
Lead volunteers in harvest and other farm work: The Assistant Farm Manager will lead youth and adult volunteers in harvest, weeding, transplanting, seeding, and other farm projects ● Demonstrate and oversee volunteer work while creating a collaborative learning environment ● Track volunteer hours on site and maintain electronic records
Support education programs as needed: ● Work closely with and teach seasonal staff and interns ● Fill in as necessary to teach adult and/or family gardening class with adults and young children
Support NCF organizational operations as needed: The Assistant Manager will provide administrative and organizational support as needed and directed by the Farm Manager and Board of Directors. The Needham Community Farm is a small organization, where all roles do a little bit of everything. ● Attend monthly board meetings as needed ● Collect and input data related to programming and farm operations ● Contribute to fundraising events, grant writing, etc. as needed
REQUIREMENTS:
● Knowledge of organic farming practices with at least 3 seasons of farming experience.
● Ability to teach farming skills and manage tasks efficiently
● Strong communication skills with diverse populations
● Reliable personal transportation to the farm in Needham
● Ability and willingness to perform strenuous physical labor in variable outdoor conditions
● Ability to bend, twist and walk over uneven ground repeatedly
● Ability to lift 50 pounds and to repeatedly lift 30-40 pounds
● Must pass CORI/SORI background check
● Experience in youth development, education, and/or volunteer management preferred
● Customer service or similar experience preferred
BENEFITS:
● $22-$24/hour depending on experience
● Time and a half paid for any time worked over 40 hours/week
● Accrued paid time off and sick time
● Somewhat flexible scheduling and remote work in the winter months
● A monthly healthcare stipend, as well as a yearly Professional Development stipend
● A free vegetable share to bring home from late May to mid December, and greens starting in early April
Please submit cover letter and resume to Avery Westa, Farm Manager, at awesta@needhamfarm.org. Review of applications will begin immediately
Compensation
this position is: hourly, $20/hr +
Application instructions
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Deadline
no deadline