Full Time Seasonal Farmer Active Citizen Project/Project EATS
- Date Posted January 17, 2017
- Location New York, NY
- Category Agriculture
- Job type Full-Time
Project EATS (PE) operates at the nexus of social, economic, and environmental conditions. It joins with residents, organizations, public schools, and other city stakeholders to share resources, and transform underused land into a network of financially viable neighborhood-operated small-plot, high-yield, agricultural production farms that are a significant, dependable, and trusted source of high-quality, affordable food in NYC communities. Since 2009, 17 PE farms, education and community programs have operated in all 5 New York City Boroughs. Project EATS is program of the nonprofit organization, Active Citizen Project (ACP)
Job descriptionPOSITION OVERVIEW
The Full Time Seasonal Farmer must have comprehensive farm skills and experience growing food and a strong interest in urban farming as a viable business model for providing New York City neighborhoods with fresh, certified naturally grown, quality food. Farmers must be comfortable and interested in working with diverse groups of people that include residents in neighborhoods where Project EATS farms are located, individuals and families living in transitional housing, recent immigrants, and high school students.
FULL TIME SEASONAL FARMER QUALIFICATIONS
- 2-3 years of experience in intensive, small farm, high-yield vegetable production;
- Expertise in organic vegetable growing, and soil and compost management techniques;
- Physically capable of lifting heavy loads and working long hours in the hot sun;
- Experience in the safe operation and general maintenance of farm tools and basic machinery;
- Seed propagation, greenhouse maintenance, and season extension experience;
- Experience following and executing an annual crop plan and maintaining farm records;
- Must be willing to work flexible schedule including weekends;
- Farmers must have a valid Driver’s License and be able to drive a cargo van in New York City.
- Basic carpentry and experience with power tools a plus;
- Positive attitude, excitement to work with communities towards social change
- Inquisitive nature, constantly innovating and offering ideas
- Desire to be continuously learning, and self-starting
FULL TIME SEASONAL FARMER RESPONSIBILITIES
- Consistently exceeds PE performance and work safety standards.
- Assists in managing all aspects of farm operations including farm maintenance and construction
- Support all aspects of farm planning including planting/harvest schedules, and storage standards
- Monitor crop health in field and greenhouse and respond to issues Master the use of digital record keeping and finance tools
- Maintain timely harvest, sales, and other farm records
- Maintain clean and orderly storage of tools equipment and supplies
- Assist in waste organics collection and composting
- Provide and maintain optimal conditions for plant health in greenhouse
- Follow weather reports and organize assigned work schedule accordingly
- Attends farm and staff meetings as required
- Maintain harvest standards for quality presentation, washing, packaging and storage Assist or manage harvest days and market operations as needed
- Assist in safe and timely produce deliveries to commercial clients
- Assist in management of seasonal farm staff and volunteers (as needed)
- At all times, represent ACP in a positive, professional way
- Contribute ideas and opinions to make the organization more productive, efficient and forward-thinking