Farm Overview

Footprint Farm grows diversified, certified USDA Organic and Real Organic vegetables on 2+ acres, serves a 150-200 member CSA and over a dozen wholesale accounts. We specialize in year-round greens and focus on producing consistently high quality produce for our customers. We practice a low-till soil management approach, and focus heavily on improving our soils without compromising the health or ergonomics of our people.

Our farm crew is small (5-9), works closely with each other, and is focused on constantly learning and improving our skills and how we work together. We assign responsibilities through Roles, which range from Crop Planning Lead to Bike Tire Pumper Upper. Some positions naturally absorb a number of Roles, and individuals can add additional Roles if time and experience permit.

We also really enjoy both our work in the field and the delicious food we produce!

Job Summary

The High Tunnel Specialist will participate in all aspects of food production including seeding, transplanting, harvesting, washing, and packing produce. In addition, this position will be our eyes and ears in our 6 high tunnels. They will work closely with the farm owners in helping to determine weekly high tunnel work needs, and will be the crew’s point person for all high tunnel activities including, but not limited to, planting, trellising, harvesting, IPM (integrated pest management) and irrigation activities. They will also be responsible for daily opening and closing of high tunnels, and a once or twice weekly tunnel needs walk.

This additional Role of High Tunnel Specialist comes with daily responsibilities, so can be paired with most but not all additional Roles to add depth of experience to the position. This position may start as early as March with transitioning high tunnels from winter greens to spring crops, and should expect to be working full time by mid April/late April at the latest. All crew members are expected to participate in a mandatory training the last week of April, and are expected to participate in a rotating schedule of Saturday harvest help which is usually a 4 hour commitment, 2-3 times during the season, paid time and a half.

Responsibilities

Transplant, Harvest, and Cultivation Teams

• Effectively and efficiently carry out day to day field activities such as: bed prep, transplanting, weeding, and harvesting.

Wash/Pack Team

• Effectively and efficiently carry out day to day harvesting, washing and produce packaging activities.

High Tunnel Management

• Daily monitoring and management of high tunnel ventilation
• Daily monitoring and adjustment of high tunnel irrigation
• Weekly monitoring and management of high tunnel pests and diseases
• Leading small team for trellising activities (Qlipr, Florida weave, single line with clips)
• Acting as High Tunnel reference for Harvest and Transplant Leads

Additional Roles

• Option to add specialized responsibilities through taking on additional roles. Each position can include as few or as many Roles as makes sense based on experience and schedule. This will be a discussion during the interview process.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least 2 full Summer seasons on another farm
• At least 1 season of high tunnel experience on another farm
• Be able to lift 50 pounds safely and with repetition
• Be able to work on ladders (we use drywall benches for harvest and trellising)
• Be able to work an 8 hour shift in all weather conditions

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Attention to detail (ie noticing new pest or disease pressure)
• Ability to complete repetitive tasks (ie trellising) with a consistent standard
• Ability to complete solitary tasks (we don’t do this often, but there are solo trellising days)
• Familiarity with and competency in basic pruning and trellising methods
• Comfort with advising coworkers

How to Apply & Application Deadline

Find more details (hours, compensation etc) and application on our website. Applications are due on a rolling basis, most interviews will happen in January and February with the goal of filling most positions by March 1, 2026. Interviews can be in person or by phone/zoom and prospective candidates will need to provide 2-3 work or character references.

About to calve! Katniss is a beautiful 2.5 year old Jersey.

Rooney Farm

Morrisville VT

Position Title: Food Hub Co-op / Retail Sales Specialist (CSS)

Supervisor: Sales Manager

Employee Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Hourly

We are an equal opportunity workplace and will not discriminate on the basis of disability or other legally protected categories. If an employee has a disability that makes it difficult to perform their job duties, they are encouraged to notify us to discuss reasonable accommodations. 

About Food Connects

Food Connects is a dynamic nonprofit organization based in Brattleboro, VT that delivers regionally produced food and educational and consulting services aimed at transforming regional food systems. Founded in 2013, Food Connects (FC) is a catalyst for food systems change by connecting the next generation with their food, regional farmers with new markets, and school chefs with regional food. 

The Food Connects Food Hub delivers source-identified, regional food from over 150 farms and value-added vendors to over 350 wholesale customers in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Western Massachusetts. Currently, we have vehicles on the road for pickups and deliveries 5 days per week. The Food Hub bolsters the regional food system by prioritizing mission over profit, returning about 80% of our sales income back to our community.  

Position Summary

The Co-op /Retail Sales Specialist (CSS) strengthens and grows the Food Hub through supporting Co-op and large retail accounts. The Co-op Sales Specialist helps coordinate the Food Hub bi-weekly sales cycles; aiming to spend up to 4 days/week on the road visiting existing Co-op and Large Retail customers to build relationships, promote purchasing of regional & local products, and develop new customer leads in support of FC’s expansion goals. 

The CSS works with the Food Hub Sales Manager and Business Development Team to continuously evolve and develop seasonal sales strategies and plans, including prioritizing product sales flow based on current inventory, promoting new products and vendors, and promotions on seasonal crops. The CSS partners with customers on in-store promotions, product sales planning and projections, and coordinates in store demonstrations, offering the highest level of customer service.

The CSS works closely with the Business Development Team, Operations Manager and Marketing Team. They participate, as needed, in decision-making on business development and the direction of the food hub as a whole. The CSS reports to the Sales Manager. 

Core Competencies

• Customer Orientation: The ability to demonstrate concern for satisfying one’s external and/or internal customers.

• Initiative: Identifying what needs to be done and doing it before being asked or before the situation requires it.

• Results Orientation: The ability to focus on the desired result of one’s own or one’s unit’s work, setting challenging goals, focusing effort on the goals, and meeting or exceeding them.

• Thoroughness: Ensuring that one’s own and others’ work and information are complete and accurate; carefully preparing for meetings and presentations; following up with others to ensure that agreements and commitments have been fulfilled.

• Task Management: Can prioritize tasks and work toward their completion through tracking details and progress and, when needed, toggling between different projects or assignments.

• Balancing Team and Individual Needs: Ability to work cohesively within a team environment while independently managing one’s own duties and responsibilities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Customer Engagement Responsibilities

• Coordinates the bi-weekly Sales Cycle for Co-op and retail stores.

• Promotes sales growth by enhancing existing relationships with customers and developing new relationships with potential customers.  Through these relationships, this role will understand the varied needs of our diverse customer base.

• Spends up to 3-4 days per week on the road visiting new, existing, and potential customers to build relationships, promote products, and gather feedback.

• Participates in “ride-alongs” with vendors to promote their products to new, existing, and potential customers.  

• Provides prompt conflict resolution to customers, issues credits and alerts sales and operations of issues as needed. Resolves order issues in such a way that benefits both FC and the customers.

• Coordinates with vendors and customers on promotions and helps to organize in-store promotions and demonstrations.

• Assists the Sales Manager and Marketing Team in developing regular marketing and promotional materials. 

Sales Strategy Responsibilities

• Coordinates closely with the Business Development Team to scout and vet new products and vendors for the Food Connects catalog.

• Develops sales plans, strategies and monthly promos in collaboration with Business Development Team

• Identifies target customers and markets, as well as products and categories.

• Reports on progress toward sales goals and offers constructive feedback and support to the sales team in achieving their own goals.

• Maintains database of customer notes and developments in a clear, concise and consistent fashion.

• Maintains up to date knowledge regarding current marketplace trends and regional & local seasonal availability.  

Additional Responsibilities

• Collaborates with the Business Development Team to recruit, hire, and train new team members, as needed.

• Maintains positive relationships and communications between vendors and customers. 

• Accurately tracks and communicates mileage, hours, and other relevant travel information.

• Attend regular one-on-one check-ins with the supervisor to seek and provide proactive and constructive feedback for mutual improvement and the general betterment of the Food Hub. 

• Engage in annual self-review. 

• Participate in annual peer-review processes for employees as required.

• Fill in for other staff when needed.

• Assist with training new employees, as needed.

• Occasional paid off-hours meetings and events (with plenty of advance notice).

• Other duties as needed to assist Food Connects in fulfilling its mission.

• Weekly Chores as shared with the Food Hub Team.

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

Food Connects will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of their work to the degree we can do so.

Schedule:

In general, the position is expected to work a 40-hour week, with work hours falling between Monday-Friday, 7:00 am-5:00 pm. The Sales Team will stagger times to ensure full coverage during standard business hours. The schedule may look like:

• Monday:7:30AM-3:30PM

• Tues: 8:00AM-4:30PM

• Weds: 8:00AM-4:00PM 

• Thurs: 8:00AM-4:30PM 

• Fri: 8:00AM-3:00PM 

The position has flexibility in setting their communication expectations with customers, but as the sales rep for a varied set of customers, they may feel the need to field occasional evening/weekend calls.

Work Conditions: 

• This position is based in the Food Connects Food Hub facility in Brattleboro, VT. 

• This position offers a hybrid remote model, requiring in-office or on-the-road sales work at least 3 days/week, with remote work an option for the remaining day(s).

• Occasional paid off-hours responsibilities, meetings, and events (with plenty of advance notice).

• The CSS will be expected to spend 75% of their time in travel, visiting customer accounts. 

Physical Demands

• This position entails extensive use of a laptop computer, sitting or standing at a desk workstation.

• Ability to drive continuously for a full workday. 

• Ability to drive in various weather conditions.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications 

• 2-3 years’ experience in one or more of the following types of roles. Some professional experience in the food industry strongly preferred. 

  • Sales, Retail experience a plus, but not required

  • Buying/purchasing

  • General administration

  • Project management

  • Customer Service

  • Other applicable lived experience

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal: in person, over the phone, email, text. 

• Excellent customer service skills. Cheerful, professional presence.

• Strong organizational skills and natural proclivity for keeping detailed records. 

• Enthusiastic ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• Comfortable with change and growth in an evolving business, creative problem solver and ability to jump in where needed to optimize operations.

• Strong knowledge of veggies, fruits, dairy, meats, value-added products and other locally-produced foods. 

• Strong technical skills with computers, spreadsheets, emails, and digital business management tools such as: G-suite, Excel, Slack, Asana, and customer relationship management (CRM) software.

• Ability to learn and incorporate new tools and technology into a work plan. 

• Reliable cell phone. 

• Reliable transportation for getting to headquarters in Brattleboro, VT.

• Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle. 

  • Food Connects offers a company-owned vehicle that can be used for some, but not all, road sales.   

  • Mileage is paid out at a set rate for all work-related travel driven in personal vehicles.

• At least 3 professional references. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Co-op / Retail sales and/or purchasing experience.

• Existing relationships with/knowledge of food producers and retailers in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Western MA.

• General knowledge of the sustainable food and agriculture sector. 

• Strong data analysis / business intelligence skills. 

• Experience in small business management and/or business development, especially in the food sector.

• Familiarity with the geographical area of our delivery services (Vermont, New Hampshire, and Western Massachusetts). 

• Experience with E-commerce and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software for food sales and distribution.

• Knowledge of food safety regulations.

• ServSafe Certified.

Compensation

• This is a full-time, non-exempt position, expected 40 hour/week. 

• Hourly, beginning at $23.50 per hour. Negotiable depending on experience.

• The following benefits are offered after a 90-day introductory period: 

  • Paid time off: vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave

  • Short-term disability insurance

  • Life insurance

  • Access to vision and dental insurance

  • 15% employee discount on food purchases. 

  • 2% employer retirement contribution, no employee contribution required.

  • Pending grant funding for Health Reimbursement Arrangement

Click here to apply!

2023 Kioti Tractor Loader w/66" Bucket and Backhoe. One owner. 95.6 hours. Manual transmission. Purchased 11/23 for 34K. Asking 28.5K. Comes with a 6 year, unlimited hour powertrain warranty. In meticulous, like new condition. Kept covered. Posting for a friend. Contact me for more info. Maria 802-825-7107