The Farm at Our House is currently seeking an Assistant Farm Manager, and High School Interns for the 2015 season
Assistant Farm Manager
The Farm at Our House seeks a motivated self-starter to assist with the management, production, marketing and sales of diverse organic vegetables, eggs and shiitake mushrooms on and off the farm. The Farm at Our House is located in Brookeville, Maryland, 15 miles north of Washington, DC. We grow certified organic fruits and vegetables on 5.5 acres of land owned by Our House (http://www.our-house.org/), a residential job training center for at-risk young men ages 16-21. We manage an additional 7 acres. The Farm at Our House offers a 26-week 60+ member CSA, sells at three local farmers markets and to local restaurants and grocers. While The Farm at Our House and Our House Job Training Center are distinct entities, we work in partnership to achieve mutually supportive goals.
Responsibilities:
● Production—Implement field work, including supervision of Our House trainees and other staff members: planting, cultivation, irrigation, harvesting and packing, and care of laying hens
● Marketing--represent farm at one or more weekly farmers markets and our CSA pick-up site; assist with delivery of produce to wholesale customers; contribute to newsletter, website, and marketing materials.
● Planning and Administration—Collaborate with farm manager, farm owners on budgeting and capital project planning; communicate with CSA members; ensure documentation of work and meeting of organic certification requirements. Collaborate on developing a planting schedule and crop rotation.
Estimated Time Allotment:
Production and on-farm supervision: about 70% of time
Marketing: about 20% of time
Administration: about 10% of time
Qualifications:
Minimum one year of farming experience, tractor-experience a plus. Experience working with at-risk youth and computer literacy (Excel, Weebly, Mailchimp, Google Drive) a plus. Strong work ethic, good communication and organizational skills required.
Compensation:
Weekly salary based on experience plus end of the year bonus; free produce from the farm; $150 towards professional development plus scholarship opportunities to attend winter conferences; free meals with Our House trainees; free internet access; access to CRAFT workshops, agricultural library and online resources. On-site free housing may be available.
Please forward resume, cover letter, and three references to Marc Grossman, at marcgrossman2001@yahoo.com. Call Marc 202 412 5698 with any questions.
Summer Interns:
Summer interns work around 40 hours per week and are provided a weekly stipend based on experience. Most of our summer interns are college students who begin in the spring and finish the season by mid to late August. We will work with your university to ensure that you receive credit for the internship if possible. No previous farming experience is required, but a strong desire to learn is obligatory. We cannot provide housing for our summer interns.
Please forward resume, cover letter, and three references to Marc at marcgrossman2001@yahoo.comor call 202 412 5698 for more information.
High School Interns:
As a high school intern you will experience all aspects of market farming including planting, weeding, harvesting, and possibly marketing and sales. You can expect to do demanding physical activity on a regular basis in the heat of summer and in the rain. You will receive a 45 minute lunch and at least two ten minute breaks (more depending on the heat). High school interns are not expected to work if the temperatures go above 100 degrees. You will be expected to learn the names of the different crops we sell, and gain familiarity with our methods of growing, washing, and packing produce, as well as the tools we use.
As an intern you are expected to commit at least 100 hours to the farm during the season and in return you will receive student service learning hours. You can expect to work 3-5 days/ week at the farm during the weeks you choose to work. It is important that schedule the weeks you plan to work and show up on those dates. No more than 5 high school interns can work on any one day. If you cannot work on a scheduled day it is important to contact us quickly.
There is public bus service within 3 miles of the farm. We typically schedule carpools from the bus stop to the farm or rely on parents to drive groups of students to the farm. We will accept up to 10 interns this summer.
Volunteers: We love volunteers and can accommodate many schedules. Email us at thefarmatourhouse@gmail.com if you're interested in volunteering with us.
