Assistant Farm Manger

Hungry Reaper Farm is a diversified vegetable farm currently operating on 8 acres between two locations in Morris, Connecticut. We operate a 100-member market-style CSA, vend at the Farmers Market of Black Rock and the Westport Farmers Market, operate a farm stand in Morris, and serve a number of wholesale accounts including New Morning Market, The Market at Bantam and Northfield, Brass City Harvest, Tri-Corner Feed, City Seed, and the Northwest Connecticut Regional Food Hub. Hungry Reaper seeks several farmers to operate alongside our current team. Our workplace culture provides a fun, collaborative, fulfilling, and supportive environment through clear and consistent communication. By the same token, farming is a fast-paced, labor intensive, and physically demanding profession and many days are quite hard. Foul weather, monotonous tasks, tight deadlines, and being covered in filth come with the territory. That being said, each day is full of variety and this job is well suited to folks who are adaptive to new tasks, pivoting, and problem solving when things go sideways. Our goal is to strike a healthy work life balance for all, and our employees can expect to work consistent hours on a predetermined schedule. We welcome the ideas and suggestions of our employees and there is room for growth as our farm scales up and develops new enterprises.

The Assistant Farm Manager will join our current management team (two owners and one assistant farm manager) and will be responsible for assisting in the production, harvest, and marketing of vegetables. As our farm has grown, we have decided to delegate more of the management responsibilities to create a more efficient and organized farm. The Assistant Farm Manager can expect to participate in all aspects of production and marketing, but will be tasked with taking lead on leading harvest and post-harvest handling. We typically concentrate harvesting on Tuesdays and Thursdays with smaller harvests as needed throughout the week. Additional responsibilities may be added based on the employee’s skills, interests, and professional development goals.

Hungry Reaper Farm will hire the best candidate for any available position, and we know our team will be stronger with a diverse set of backgrounds and experiences. We will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, incarceration history, sexual orientation, disability, age, or other non-merit factor.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in all aspects of production including seeding, field prep, timing of successions, cultivation, weed/pest management, harvesting, and storage.
• Use and maintenance of farm equipment including tractors, walk-behind tractors, seeders, harrows, mowers, string trimmers, hand tools, etc. Training on equipment will be provided at the discretion of the farm managers.
• Maintain cleanliness and organization of all farm areas.
• Safely drive various farm vehicles for farm activities
• Assisting in construction and maintenance of farm infrastructure.
• Both collaborative and independent decision making.
• Specialization in particular areas of production based on skills and interest.
• Adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and quality standards.
• Weekly meetings with farm managers.
• Communicate needs (schedule, medical, personal, etc.) with as much notice as possible. Preferably at least a week’s notice for changes in schedule.

HARVEST AND POST-HARVEST RESPONSIBILITIES

• Determine availability of crops alongside farm owners
• Generate harvest lists based on wholesale orders and retail needs
• Delegate harvest responsibilities to crew
• Maintain a speedy pace of harvesting among the crew.
• Understand and upkeep quality standards for farmers markets and 20+ wholesale accounts.
• Maintain harvest and post-harvest tools
• Maintain inventory of harvest and post-harvest supplies
• Upkeep food safety practices in field and pack shed
• Oversee storage of crops for optimal quality

POSITION DETAILS

• Full time, March through November with the potential of Winter work TBD.
• Up to 40 hours per week, 5 days per week.
• Flexible Start Date: 3/15
• Flexible End Date: 11/30

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• $20-$22/hour
• Annual Clothing/tool stipend ($200) after 1-month probationary period
• Paid vacation days during the growing season (5 days) after 1-month probationary period
• Paid sick leave for employees working greater than 120 days, accrued at 1 hour per 40 hours worked after 1-month probationary period
• Professional Development/Conference Stipend (FT)
• Unlimited vegetables (PT & FT)