Vegetable Production Assistant
40 hours per week, seasonal April - October, with opportunities for part-time continued hours for the right candidate. Flexible time off. Compensation starts at $15-17/hour depending on experience. Food benefits, additional benefits, and farm store discounts also included.
General Information:
Bread & Butter Farm is a diversified regenerative farm on 600 acres in South Burlington and Shelburne Vermont. Our farm enterprises include organic vegetables, pasture-raised 100% grass-fed beef, woodland pork, year-round education programs, and on-farm markets including events featuring our food and live music. Our vision for the future includes agroforestry and a greater integration between annual, perennial, and livestock systems.
We grow certified organic, no-till/low-till, hand-managed market gardens in 3 high tunnels (11,000 sq ft) and 3/4 acre in outdoor production. We focus on intensive production in small spaces. Our animal herds graze 400 acres of grasslands and woodlands. Our year-round education programs integrate kiddos, youth, and adults in all aspects of daily farm life. We offer our food in our on-farm markets including: year-round CSA and memberships, Farm Store, on-farm events such as our summer Burger Nights, and Blank Page Cafe, a partner on-farm cafe serving baked goods and meals-to-go featuring our farm produce.
Job Summary:
We are seeking an experienced grower to join our small and mighty vegetable production team! The Vegetable Production Assistant will work very closely with our Vegetable Production Manager to accomplish the full spectrum of seasonal tasks from seeding and bed prep to harvest and distribution. We work hard as a team with a focus on efficiency and quality, while also prioritizing finding humor in each other’s company and joy in growing food for our community. This position has opportunity for learning and growth, with potential for working towards the production management position for the right candidate. The level of responsibility given will depend on the individual’s interest, experience, and strengths.
Specific responsibilities of the Vegetable Production Assistant will include, but are not limited to:
- Bed Prep (manual - with digging forks, broad forks, and hoes/rakes)
- Seeding
- Transplanting
- Weeding
- Weed whacking/mowing
- Mulching
- Working with row cover
- Harvest
- Wash/Pack
- Wholesale delivery
- Tomato house work (trellising, pruning)
- Scouting for pests
- Irrigation
- Leading students and/or campers in veg chores
- Rotating weekend chores (once every 5-7 weeks)
Qualifications:
- Unwavering commitment to working a full farm season, April-October
- Experience working on farms and specifically growing veggies
- Experience in market gardening (2 seasons or more) preferable
- Experience with tomato trellising/pruning a plus
- Experience with animals a plus
- Able to lift 40-50 pounds repetitively
- Able to work in a physically demanding position which requires kneeling, standing, and continued movement for 8 hrs/day
- Able to work at a fast pace, independently and with others
- Strong communication skills
- Strong customer service skills
- Strong organizational skills and ability to multitask
- Values being part of a community
- Passion for and knowledge of organic farming practices
- Sound judgment, professionalism, and positive attitude
- Team player and strong interpersonal skills
- Eagerness to learn and explore opportunities
- Willingness to give and receive feedback
- Excitement for and/or experience in farm education
To apply: Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three (or more) references with “Vegetable Production Assistant” in the subject line to [email protected].
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and the position will be filled for an April start.