Farmstand Manager

Manage daily operation of the farmstand including but not limited to:

Ordering, Share Distribution, Staff Management, Farm Liaison 

Manage daily operation of the farmstand including but not limited to:

 Ordering

-Order products from vendors, receive orders and track inventory. 

Share Distribution

-Manage summer CSA distribution: receive crop share distribution from farm manger, monitor distribution and make substitutions as needed to maintain fresh quality product and fair distribution.

Staff Management

-Work on the floor: stock produce and products, run register, and talk with customers.

-Train employees about growing practices, quality control, customer service, and product information.

-Make monthly farmstand schedule: keep record of requests off and availability and make substitutions when scheduling conflicts arise. Be prepared to cover for ‘no shows’ and ‘calls in sick.’

-Keep farmstand clean, organized, and welcoming.

Farm Liaison

- Attend weekly meetings with Farm Manager, Farm Assistant, Prep Foods Manager, Greenhouse Manager, CSA/Events manager and report on farmstand stats, progress, and needs from other departments. Relay messages from business line and note upcoming events. Discuss new and ongoing projects and short and long-term farm goals.

-Communicate with prep foods manager on changes/alterations to weekly order. Maintain records of weekly orders.

-Communicate with Farm Manger/Assistant and crew on projects, harvest schedule, and questions about our crops.

-Promote Community Supported Agriculture: promote farm events and community supported agricultural system to current and potential members.

-Maintain member and vendor/farmer relationships.

The ideal candidate will be outgoing, knowledgable about food and how a CSA works, able to life 50lbs, availalbe to work full time, Tuesday - Saturday starting in mid-to late March.

Green Meadows Farm Livestock Assistant Farmer

The purpose of the Livestock Assistant Farmer position is to ensure that all activities associated with animal husbandry are being completed efficiently and effectively. The Livestock Assistant Farmer’s primary role is to assist the Livestock Manager in all aspects of livestock production. Livestock production is essential to the success of Green Meadows Farm. Fertility for vegetable production, creating & maintaining an open landscape, reducing our waste, being ecologically minded, and creating revenue are all accomplished through livestock production at Green Meadows Farm.  About 30 hours per week has been allocated for this position, although there is seasonal fluctuation. When all work associated with the livestock is completed, the Livestock Farmer will help with greenhouse chores, pasture maintenance and vegetable production.

Responsibilities:

• Health of Livestock
  • Rotate animals to different locations on farm as needed
  • Monitor and maintain health of all animals
  • Muck and keep animal housing clean
  • Assist with administering annual vaccines and wormers
  • Assist in diagnosing and treating animals when sick
  • Follow organic principals
  • Understanding of animal needs for optimal health
  • Slaughter and distribution of livestock
    • Participate in processing poultry and lambs
    • Assist in distributing meat to CSA members
    • Tools and vehicles associated with livestock production
      • Truck kept clean
      • Waterers & feeders kept working and clean
      • Mobile housing kept in working order
      • Poultry processing area kept tidy and in working order
      • Greenhouse Care
        • Water greenhouses
        • Water plants around farmstand
        • Assist Greenhouse Manager with vegetable propagation
        • Frequent meeting with Livestock Manager, Farm Manager & record keeping
          • Ensuring Livestock Manager is notified of all Livestock production issues
          • Maintain accurate, neat and detailed records of all aspects of livestock production

Apprentice Program (Full for the 2012 Season)

Our apprentice program is a hands-on working / learning experience designed to move dedicated candidates towards farm management. We accept people from all backgrounds who want to explore agriculture as a career option.

Apprenticeship Goals / Evaluation
As part of our program orientation, apprentices are encouraged to identify in writing what they hope to accomplish from their apprenticeship. After three to four weeks Andrew will meet with each apprentice to help with the development of realistic goals and to confirm our mutual (farmer and apprentice) expectations for learning. This document will be revisited for periodic evaluation and reviewed in detail in late August / September. We will make every effort to tailor each experience to the expressed needs of each participant.

During a final evaluation in October the apprentices will be invited to comment on their season's experience as well as to make suggestions for the improvement of the farm and the apprenticeship.

Group Meeting
We meet on the first Friday of the month, following lunch, to discuss any issues (farm and community related) that need to be addressed.

Weekly Plan and Tour
At the start of each week, Andrew will go over the big picture of what needs to be done, and clarify work assignments. At the end of the day, apprentices will go on a one hour farm walk to look at the fields. Apprentices are encouraged to make observations and ask any questions.

Daily Meeting
Every work day the farm crew meets at 6:30am in the farm stand greenhouse to outline the day's program and make alterations due to the weather and other events. Andrew will lead the morning meeting. Apprentices are expected to take notes of what needs to get done and any specific instructions that were outlined at this time.

Orientation
During the first week we will conduct an orientation to go over safety policies, farm policies, and the location and names of fields, buildings and equipment. We will also conduct a house orientation to cover the kitchen and pantry, food and provisions, recycling, garbage, safety, etc. We will review the farm calendar, the dates in the CRAFT schedule, begin to set vacation times, assign job rotations (household, livestock & chores, etc.) and start figuring out how to live in a community together.

Study Materials
All apprentices are given written learning materials to increase their understanding of Green Meadows Farm in particular and farming in general. These materials include crop plans, seed orders, planting schedules, maps, overall farm plans, and supporting information. In addition there is a small farm library from which apprentices are welcome to borrow books.

CRAFT Program Events
Green Meadows Farm is an active member of the Collaborative Regional Alliance for Farmer Training (CRAFT) organization. Apprentices are encouraged to take part in all CRAFT events during the season. Visits to other farms take place during regular work hours on Wednesday afternoons. Apprentices are expected to work up until the time for departure to the event. If an apprentice does not attend the event, he /she is expected to work according to the normal day's schedule.

Career Development
Throughout the apprenticeship, participants are encouraged to develop ideas for their own future farm plans. Andrew is available to review these plans and offer feedback. In addition, all possible steps will be taken to help apprentices find job placement or further opportunities if so desired.

Responsibilities

The Work Schedule
Monday – Friday: 6:30AM – 5:00PM, with a 15 minute coffee break and a one hour lunch break.
Saturday 6:30AM – 12PM, with a 15 minute coffee break
Every 4th week one crew member is responsible for livestock and farm chores. During this week the apprentice will work Saturday afternoon and Sunday. The following Monday, that apprentice will have off.

Field Production: The apprenticeship is, at its core, a working-learning experience. Our primary method for learning how to manage a farm is to perform critical tasks in a timely manner. Every Monday morning an outline of the week's goals is presented and reviewed, and specific tasks are assigned. All assignments are made with the needs of the farm and the specific stated needs of the apprentices in mind.

The majority of our work is on organic vegetable and small fruit production. This includes all aspects of seeding, transplanting, fertilizing, irrigating, weeding, harvesting, and post harvest management. About a quarter of our work involves livestock production.

Livestock & Chore Week: Every fourth week apprentices will be responsible for livestock and farm chores. During this week the apprentice will work Saturday afternoon and Sunday. To compensate for the extra day of work, the apprentice will receive the following Monday off. During Livestock Week, the apprentice will be responsible for the following.

• Greenhouses/ Hoophouse Management: Includes monitoring temperature/moisture conditions of seedlings, keeping wood furnaces running, and ensuring that automated systems are working correctly.
• Livestock: Ensuring that sheep, pigs, turkeys, layers and meat birds are all healthy and happy. This includes providing water, feed, collecting & washing eggs, rotating pastures and shutting in the chickens at night. This includes helping Andrew if there are any veterinary issues.
• Upkeep: Taking garbage and recycling to curbside collection site. Making sure farm is looking clean and orderly, trucks are clean, and tools are returned to their proper place.

Tractors

Andrew and other experienced farmers will be the primary operators of the tractors. It is important that all apprentices learn how to drive the tractors. Due to the fast paced nature of the work and the number of apprentices, everyone will not become experts at using the tractors. Rather, they will be familiar with their use and understand basic maintenance. Depending on interest and aptitude, some apprentices may spend more time than others using tractors.

Compensation/Benefits

Stipend: The stipend is $300/week.

Worker's Compensation: We pay worker's compensation, which covers any work-related injuries.

Produce & Meat: Apprentices will be given a full produce share as part of their compensation. Apprentices that participate in processing chickens and turkeys will receive a chicken or turkey every time they participate.

Housing: Apprentices live in a rustic apartment located above a horse barn. The apartment has three bedrooms, a spacious living room, oil & wood heat, cable TV & internet, galley kitchen, washer/dryer and is in very good maintenance. The apartment must be kept clean at all times and a cleaning schedule is provided. Utilities are provided for by the farm.

20% Discount off Retail Store: Apprentices receive a 20% discount off all items purchased in the farmstand. This does not include ordering through the Green Meadows Farm Grocery Co-op.

Time Off

The following guidelines on vacation and personal time assume an apprenticeship running from early April through October.

Vacation Days/Personal Time: Each apprentice is given one paid day off per month worked. Most apprentices accrue several days off and then go on a vacation. It is encouraged to take a vacation in late July to October. Vacation times will be scheduled at the beginning of the season, trying to take all needs into account. Personal time to deal with a doctor’s appointments, car issues, banking, etc. comes out of the earned pool of vacation days.

Sick Time: When you're sick, please don't work. If health circumstances arise that cause you to miss more than 5 days of work during the season, there will need to be some discussion with Andrew as to whether the apprenticeship is the right situation for you at this time. You do not need to make up work for sick days.

Personnel & General Policies

Safety Policies: We will review safety policies during the first week of orientation and on a continual basis. All apprentices are required to follow safety policies at all times. Failure to do so may result in immediate dismissal.

Drugs and Alcohol: Illegal drugs are not permitted on the farm property at any time (this includes the apprentice apartment). Alcohol is permitted in moderation. It is unacceptable to work while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. One infraction may be cause for immediate dismissal.

Visitors: Visitors are welcome for up to 1 week. Visitors are expected to work at least ½ days along with the farm crew, following our normal schedule, and are welcome to join us at all meals. Visits longer than a week are subject to the wishes of other apprentices and approval from Andrew

Pets: No pets are allowed to live in the apartment.

Shareholder Interactions: Green Meadows Farm is a public place and we depend on our CSA members (and farm stand customers) for our livelihood. All apprentices must be professional, polite, and helpful to all people who come to the farm.

General Demeanor: It is expected that all apprentices be prompt, dressed appropriately for work, and professional in their attitude at work.

Tools and Work Clothes: The farm provides harvest knives and daily hand tools. They must be returned to the tool shed at the end of the day. Apprentices must provide any other desired tools or work clothes (pocket knives, rain boots, rain gear, hats, and gloves).

After Hours Work: There will be compensation time given for work that is performed after regular working hours. Andrew will give you a choice as to whether you want to work after hours in these unexpected situations. In the event of a farm emergency (animals out of fence, etc.) it is expected that apprentices who are on or near the farm will help out until the situation is corrected without added compensation.

Community Involvement

Special Activities and Events: Apprentices are encouraged to enjoy our farm community. We welcome you to help with the planning and implementation of at least one of our scheduled seasonal events.

Educational workshops for CSA members & the general public: We conduct various educational workshops for CSA members and the general public during the season. In past years apprentices have assisted in planning and conducting workshops on raising chickens and gardening. We welcome new ideas for workshops that have an educational value and focus on some aspect of sustainable living.

Our farm educational programs are intended to expose children and adults to real farm life, from our organic vegetable production to our heritage breed animals and sustainable practices. Classes meet at the farmstand. In the event of rain, we will hold classes either in a greenhouse or under our tent. Participants should wear farm appropriate clothes including closed-toe shoes or boots, clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, and wear sunscreen and bug spray. Classes are open to the general public. 

Spring Farm School  

Friday,  9am - 10am, April 20,  2012

Have you been wondering what we've been doing here on the farm for four long months? Well, we have NOT been hibernating! We would love to have you visit. Come see the new chickens laying, the baby lambs romping, the winter pigs rooting and the seedlings sprouting in the greenhouses we just finished recovering. April vacation is the perfect time to really see a burst of spring. We will walk around the farm, listen to the birds, look for bugs and maybe even gather a few fresh eggs. The farm stand will be open also in case you need milk, honey, meat... or whatever wonderful food you have been missing.

 $14 per child, all ages welcome. Please contact us to sign up.

Summer Farm School:

Farm School for The Very Young  (ages 3-5) introduces children to the livestock raised on Green Meadows Farm. We will focus on a different group of animals each session: poultry, sheep, pigs and then insects. We will be doing up-close watering and feeding and will participate in age appropriate hands-on activities, stories, songs and verses. There will be some walking about so dress for the weather. We will meet in the greenhouse when it is too rainy to stay outside. $48 per session.

Very Young  Farmers      ages 3-5 

Session#2             Thursday 3-4pm.         July 12, July 19, July 26, Aug.2

                              or Friday     9-10am.       July 13, July 20, July 27, Aug. 3

Farm School for Older Students (ages 6-11) gives students an opportunity to find out where their food really comes from and to participate in getting it table-ready. We will care for the animals -feeding, watering, carrying hay and other supplies. We will plant and tend a raised bed and sometimes join with the farm crew in the fields for weeding and harvesting. The students will be encouraged to keep a journal of their experiences. We will meet in the greenhouse if it is too rainy to stay outside and bug spray may be needed. $85 for the week. Click here to download a sign up form. 

Session#3               Monday - Friday    9-11:30 am.        Aug. 6-10

Teen Film Workshop at Green Meadows Farm

Each Summer, Green Meadows Farm hosts a teen workshop called "Fred" for aspiring students of film.  Teens get to create their own films, from writing and directing to filming and editing. Click here to learn more about Fred.

The Farmstand will be open through Friday, December 23 and then will close until April 1, 2012. Stop by this week and pick up one of our beautiful calendars! We wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See you in April.

- The farm crew, pigs, sheep, cats, dogs, chickens and ladybugs

Joanne Patton is the widow of Green Meadows Farm’s founder, Major General George S. Patton. She assumed his role in recent years, overseeing the Farm in conjunction with her family – all supporters of organic agriculture. Joanne’s travels as an Army wife made her an aventurous eater. All vegetables are her favorites – but eggplant (especially in her caviar recipe) is tops!

Andrew Rodgers grew up in Newton, Massachusetts. He was an English major at UMass, Amherst (where he met his wife, Diana) then worked for The Gartner Group, conducting market research focus groups for the high tech industry. Not satisfied with an office job, Andrew tried to figure out how to incorporate his passion for the outdoors and environmental issues into a career. While living in Portland, Oregon, he visited a CSA and decided this would be a great way to save farmland from becoming developed, and to work outside instead of in an office.

He decided to return to UMass, this time for their Master's Degree program in Soil Science through the Stockbridge School of Agriculture. At the same time, he took a job working on a small CSA farm in Sudbury, MA (now called Siena Farm). His next farm job was the assistant farmer at Sterns CSA in Framingham. In 2003, he became the farm manager at Green Meadows Farm. Since then, the farm has grown. He believes it's very important for people to know who grows their food, so feel free to say "hi" to Andrew when you see him at the farm. He welcomes questions and suggestions on how to make Green Meadows a better farm and community asset. He is also training his two young kids, Anson and Phoebe to become future farmers.

Diana oversees the office, marketing and events for the farm. She grew up in Southampton, NY worked at J.M. Pike Farm in Sagaponak, NY during high school and college summers, in the fields and at the roadside stand. She studied art education and photography at UMass, Amherst, then studied fine furniture making in Easthampton, MA.

When she was working as the Marketing Manager for WBUR (Boston's NPR News Station), she found out she had an intolerance to wheat gluten. After this, she decided to learn more about food and food issues. She changed career paths and spent several years in marketing for natural foods companies and Whole Foods Market before joining Green Meadows Farm. She has spoken about agricultural marketing and food trends for the Harvest New England Conference.

She also has a private business called Radiance Nutritional Therapy, helping people improve their health through unprocessed, natural foods. She teaches cooking classes, conducts workshops at companies and at CrossFit gyms, and sees people individually to develop diet plans. Diana is also a contributing writer to Paleo Magazine and has writen for Edible Boston. She is married to Farmer Andrew and has 2 children. Her favorite vegetable is asparagus. 

Sarah is the Assistant Manager at the Farmstand. She grew up on a dairy farm in Turlock, California. As a child, her job on the farm was to feed the cats for her mother. During college, she would wake up early and milk the cows. She holds two bachelors degrees in both History and Art History from California State University Stanislaws, and is currently working on a Masters Degree from Pacifica Graduate Institute in Mythological Studies with an emphasis on Depth Psychology.

When she's not working at the farm, Sarah likes going for hikes with her husband and dog and reading. Her favorite vegetable is squash - all kinds.

Megan is the Assistant Manager of the Field Crew. She grew up on Cape Cod and has worked both in the boating world and on farms. She went to Marist College and majored in Spanish. After college, she traveled through Spain and did the El Camino de Santiago, a 500 mile pilgrimage. She participated in Outward Bound and has also lived in Costa Rica. She spent four years working on boats out of Newport, Rhode Island and then decided to become a farmer. Her favorite vegetables are winter squash and leeks.

Robin grew up in Peoria, Illinois, and currently lives in Salem, MA. She was as a special education teacher for grades 1 and 2 in Waltham and Salem for 35 years.  She began working on the farm as a work-for-share. When she retired in June of 2008, she became a valuable member of our farm crew and is now our farm educator and livestock manager. Her favorite part of working on the farm is to take care of the animals, especially the sheep. When she's not farming, Robin reads a lot (about five books at a time). She also quilts, does needlepoint and oil paints, and says there's never enough time to do it all. She's "waiting to find out" what she'll be when she "grows up". Her favorite vegetable is delicata squash.

Heidi is our Greenhouse Manager. She is the one responsible for all of the plants in our seedling sale, the beautiful hanging baskets, and more. She is a mom of two and lives in Methuen. Prior to coming to Green Meadows Farm, Heidi worked on both dairy farms and CSAs. She started as a volunteer at our farm and last year was a field worker. Heidi says that she loves her job and is excited to be at Green Meadows Farm because of all the integrated growing practices we do here. When she's not farming, Heidi loves to knit, knows Japanese, and is also a La Leche League Leader. Her favorite vegetables are bitter greens cooked with a little garlic and soy sauce.

Todd is 33 years old, grew up in Columbus, Ohio and was an economics major at Dennison University. After college, he was a Financial Services Advisor for Fidelity, Raymond James, and John Hancock. While working at John Hancock, he saw a wellness presentation by The Full Yield and Todd decided to change gears. He quit his job and started working part time for The Full Yield and for Green Meadows Farm. Three days a week, he helps people feel and eat better, and the other two days, he grows and harvests organic food. He has been married for eight years to his lovely wife, Courtney who works for The Landmark School and together they have two beautiful children, Addison and Cooper. His favorite vegetable is Brussels Sprouts.

Karen grew up in North Myrtle Beach, SC and was a Geology major at Colorado College. After college, she had many adventures including driving to Alaska with a friend in a VW bus, only to break down in Anchorage where she then got a job at a fish plant. She studied graphic design in Rhode Island and then got married and moved to Gloucester a few years ago with her husband Jon. Together, they made lots of art and sold it through Art Haven. She wanted to work at Green Meadows Farm because she thought it would be fun to be outside and to learn more about where her food comes from. She's learned many aspects of farming while here, and learning to drive the tractor was a highlight of her summer, along with strawberry season. Karen is going to focus her energy now on her gym, which she owns with her husband called Cape Ann CrossFit. Her favorite vegetable is delicata squash.  

Morgan grew up in Wheaton Illinois and majored in Spanish and German at Gordon College. She joined Green Meadows Farm to supplement her income as a caretaker in a special needs home for adults in Peabody. She says the best part of working here is the nice staff and customers. In the future, Morgan would like to be an interpreter, which requires more school. This is something she says that she's not ready to take on at the moment, so we're happy to have her help. Her favorite vegetable is winter squash.

Hunter is a Sophomore at Ipswich High School and started working at Green Meadows as a volunteer alongside her mother, Shannon. She quickly proved her value to the farmstand and was a crew member by April. She says her favorite thing about working at the farm is the customer interaction. She loves hearing about recipes that people come up with based on the produce in the share. Her favorite subject in school is History and one day she hopes to be a History teacher. When she's not working or in school, Hunter likes to hang out with her friends and go to the movies. Her favorite vegetable is the carrot.

Shannon has been working in the farmstand for about one year now. She is originally from Iowa and moved to Manchester to be a Nanny. There she met her husband. They live in Ipswich with their three children, Trevor, Hunter (featured above) and Keegan. In fact, two of her kids also work at the farm, one in the farmstand and one with the field crew. When she's not working, Shannon loves to cook, bake, bike and run. Her flower garden is also very important to her. Her favorite vegetable is arugula.

Meet the Author: The Perfect Health Diet 

Paul Jaminet, author of "The Perfect Health Diet" will be at the farmstand for a question and answer session and to sign his book on Sunday, December 4th at 3pm.

He and his wife are scientists with a longstanding interest in diet and health. They have been experimenting with low-carb diets since 2005, have successfully healed their own "middle-age" and chronic health problems through diet, and have learned much that we would like to share.

They believe that:

• Disease, premature aging, and impaired health have 3 primary causes: food toxicity, malnutrition, and chronic infections by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.
• These 3 causes go together. People who eat toxic, nutrient-poor diets are more likely to contract chronic infections and do not easily recover from them.
• Yet the body has amazing powers of recovery. On a healthy diet, the immune system can tackle and defeat most infections, especially with the aid of antimicrobial drugs.
• A diet like the Perfect Health Diet should be the first treatment option in most diseases and an adjunct to therapy in all.

Wreath Making Workshops

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One of Hundreds of Unique Wreaths Made at Green Meadows Farm

It's almost time to start hanging wreaths! Again this year we will be offering some wreath making workshops. Sign up for either Tuesday, December 6th from 7pm - 9pm or on Saturday, December 10th from 10am - 12. For $32 you will recieve a fully assembeled balsam wreath and lots of additional greens, holly, sparkle and bling to make it your own. We'll even help you tie the bow. Please sign up and pay in advance in the farmstand or by calling 978-468-2277.

Images from past Harvest Festivals at Green Meadows Farm