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2017 Working Hands Farm Crew Position
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The farm crew position has been filled for the 2017 season.
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Working Hands Farm is a small organic diversified vegetable CSA farm (150 shares) located on 40 acres in the Willamette Valley, just outside of the city of Hillsboro (15.2 miles from downtown Portland, Oregon). We have been in operation since 2010 and grow year round through our Spring, Summer & Fall CSA & Winter CSA.
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*Important note… Working Hands Farm does not provide housing or meals for farm crew members. All farm crew members must live within a reasonable distance of the farm and be able to provide their own reliable transportation for themselves to and from the farm.
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General overview:
Farm crew members will be involved in many aspects of the farm.
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March – April: Seeding and tending to seedlings in the propagation house, seeding the first crops in the ground, prepping ground (fertilizing, compost spreading, amending, tilling, flame weeding etc) and setting up irrigation. First few big transplanting pushes with storage onions, strawberries, potatoes, broccoli, kale, etc..
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May – June: The CSA harvest begins, lots of weeding, transplanting and seeding continues as well as planting starts for Fall harvests and seeding all of the late fall and winter crops in the propagation house etc.. Garlic harvest! Trellising the tomatoes. On farm CSA pick ups will begin. Farm Crew members may be asked to interact with customers during CSA Pick-ups.
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July – August: Summer harvests continue – some of the heaviest of the season begin with tomatoes, melons, peppers etc., July marks some big transplanting pushes for fall as well as our Winter CSA program. All while continuing the up beat pace of seeding, weeding, bed preparation etc. Bulk harvest for Fall and Winter begin with storage onions and potatoes. Farm crew member may be asked to staff community building events for CSA members.
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September – November: Summer & Fall harvests continue as well as lighter planting pushes, garlic planting, bulk harvest for Fall and Winter continues with winter squash, potatoes, carrots and other root crops, storage cabbage, shallots etc. Cleaning up the field and getting things tidied up for the next growing season. CSA members come to pick out a pumpkin and visit the farm. Farm Crew members may be asked to participate and intereact with customers on this day. Our CSA program goes until the week before Thanksgiving. On that week members receive a double share.
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Crew requirements:
Farm crew should be able to work outside in all sorts of weather (hot, cold, rain etc). Applicants must provide their own good pair of gloves, work boots, rubber boots and rain gear. Farm work requires heavy lifting repeatedly (all applicants must be able to lift 50 lbs. repeatedly) and kneeling and squatting for long periods of time. Those with week backs or past injuries should strongly consider this before applying.
- Must be able to work well with others as well as to work well independently.
- Previous farm experience required
- Have an eagerness to learn, confident and communicates well (being able to ask questions is important!)
- Good observation skills and a strong attention to detail
- Energetic and reliable
- Must be able to receive critique and feedback
- Must be physically capable to perform all farm tasks in all weather
- Have a valid drivers license and access to a reliable vehicle
- Must be able to interact with CSA members is a polite and respectful manor.
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Schedule:
We are looking for 1 dedicated individual who is interested in committing for a full season on the farm, from the beginning of March – through the end of November. 15-20 hours per week. Year round employment, with reduced winter hours is a possibility for the right candidate.
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Work days are Thursday & Friday 8:00am-4:30pm depending on daylight hours and workload. At times we may require crew members to work shorter or longer hours depending on weather and/or work load. There is an unpaid one hour lunch break each day.
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Please do not apply if you cannot complete the full season, though there is some flexibility in the start date.
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Compensation: We pay what is considered to be a livable wage in Washington County at $11.40/hour plus produce for personal consumption.
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How to Apply: If it sounds like a good fit for you, please submit your application form below and email your resume, cover letter and 3 references to workinghandsfarm (at) gmail.com.
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For those applicants who are contacted, there will be a working interview as part of the application process. There will be a 2 week (paid) working trial period to make sure the applicant is a good fit for the farm and farm is a good fit for the applicant.
