Farm Job, Possible Partnership in Vermont

Diversified farm in Norwich, Vermont seeks growing partner Job Duration: April-November, 2013, with possibility of continued partnership Farm Summary: Sweetland Farm is a diversified produce and pasture-raised meat farm in Norwich, VT. They are a startup farm in their second season, specializing in the CSA (community supported agriculture) style of marketing. They raise field- and hoop house-grown vegetables, herbs and flowers, as well as hay, poultry, lamb, pork, beef, eggs, and honey on 87 acres of prime agricultural soils in Vermont’s beautiful Upper Valley. In the 2013 season they plan to produce vegetables for a 50-member CSA running from June-October, as well as pasture-raised lambs, pigs, and broiler chickens. They will also make about 2500 bales of hay, keep honeybees, and care for a number of young perennial crops, including fruit trees, asparagus and berries planted last year. Sweetland Farm is conserved through the Vermont Land Trust’s farmland access program, and is committed to growing food sustainably for its community. Job Description: Head farmer Norah Lake is seeking an experienced, motivated individual to join her in launching Sweetland’s CSA and to assist with the daily farm operations. The Growing Partner will assist with and take responsibility for a wide variety of farm tasks, including planting, cultivation, harvest, animal care and slaughter, equipment maintenance, haying, carpentry projects, CSA setup, customer relations and more. This is a great opportunity for a farmer with a strong background in organic or sustainable farming to share in the work, creativity, and pride that are involved in the early years of building a diversified farm business.

Tweet

Required knowledge, skills and abilities: Above all, the successful applicant will be someone who truly enjoys farming— even on the hard days. They will derive satisfaction from working long hours under varied weather conditions, often while directing their own efforts, and take charge of substantial segments of the farm operations. The successful applicant will also have a broad knowledge of sustainable and organic growing practices, including crop rotation, cover-cropping, weed and pest management, soil health, and animal care and should be familiar with operating tractors and attached implements like rotovators, chisel plows, brush hogs, haying equipment and front loaders.

Required education, training, and experience:

High School diploma or GED equivalent

2+ years farming experience on diversified organic or sustainable produce farms

Clean driving record

Preferred education, training, and experience:

1+ yr farm operations management Bachelor’s degree

Equipment maintenance and repair Field crew training/management

Organic weed and pest management Basic carpentry

Customer interactions Haying

Planning and time management skills Inquisitiveness

Quickbooks accounting software Familiarity with Word and Excel

Compensation and Perks: Shared living space in our beautiful onsite farmhouse. Separate bedroom and bathroom, shared kitchen/living room/office space. Option to bring domestic partner and friendly animals (including horse or other livestock; we have a stall and paddock ready and waiting). Farm-raised food; all you can eat! We eat fresh produce all summer long, and preserve much of the harvest for winter meals. In addition to our farm-raised meat we are also happy to share our hunted and foraged food with you.

Living in the Upper Valley of Vermont. This is a wonderful area to live, work and explore. There are many beautiful hiking, biking and skiing trails nearby. Norwich is an open, educated, friendly community with great schools, a college campus and related cultural assets just across the river, and many other organic and diversified farms to explore.

Monetary Compensation. Commensurate with experience, candidate will be offered a fixed monthly stipend between $600 and $1000 during the active season (April-October) plus the opportunity for profit sharing, and, in future seasons, advancement.

To apply:

Application deadline: Feb 15 2013

Please send a resume, a cover letter describing your past farm experience and future farm goals, your own contact info, and 2 references with contact info to: norahlake@gmail.com or

Norah Lake

97 Kerwin Hill Road

Norwich, VT 05055