Job Openings at Green Meadows Farm
Farmstand Assistant
We're looking for a few people to help in our farmstand through December. Must have excellent customer service skills and be able to lift 50lbs. Knowledge of natural foods and organic produce a plus. Shifts are weekdays, during the day and to close.
If interested, please email us at gm@gmfarm.com.
Apprentice Program
OUR APPRENTICE PROGRAM IS NOW FULL.
PLEASE APPLY IN DECEMBER FOR NEXT 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.
If interested, please email us at gm@gmfarm.com.
