We hire four full-time employees per year, plus some occasional extras when needed. We seek workers with the following characteristics:

• Desire and ability to work fast and hard under various adverse conditions
• Good problem-solving skills and ability to think on your feet
• Sense of humor and generous group spirit
• Desire to learn
• Ability to work in groups as well as alone
• Interest in animals & children
  

All workers are involved in almost every aspect of the farm operation, including:

• Field prep
• Greenhouse production
• Planting
  
• Crop cultivation
• Harvesting
• Washing and processing
• Irrigation
• Marketing and customer interaction
  
• Machinery operation
• Daily animal care for our goats and chickens (sometimes we have lambs and pigs)
  

In exchange for their labor, workers receive:

• An hourly wage of $9 - $11/hour
• Free produce and goat's milk, plus some cheese, meat, & eggs, when available
• On-the-job training in a wide range of agricultural skills
• Usage of workshop, tools, and sauna
• One week-long unpaid vacation
• Workers' comp
  

For the 2012 season, we seek two workers who are relatively new to farming, and two workers with at least one full season of experience on a production-oriented farm. Although some positions are for workers with experience who will take on more responsibilities, our ideal crew all work well together, respect each other and take on responsibilities by the middle of the season. Job requirements as follows:

Experienced Position with Specialization in Management of Greenhouse, Seeding, Harvest, and Crew

(March 1 - November 15th) – $10-$11/hour, depending on experience

This position requires excellent skills in observation, organization, instruction, and communication. Applicants must show a familiarity with many aspects of crop production, from seeding to cultivation to harvest and processing. Ability to follow directions and to think and act independently are equally important. We are looking for an applicant who is easy-going but not shy about telling people or plants what they need to do. Familiarity with spreadsheets is highly desirable. At least one full season on a production-oriented farm is required.

Experienced Position with Specialization in Machinery Operation and Maintenance

(March 15th through September, October, or November)  – $10-$11/hour, depending on experience

The person who fills this position will spend as much time alone on a tractor as they do with the rest of the crew. Applicants must have experience with tractor operation and general familiarity with tools and machinery. Applicants will need to demonstrate an ability to easily attach 3-point hitch implements and to perform basic maintenance operations. Strength, resilience, and excellent problem-solving skills are a must for this position. Construction and welding skills are also desirable but not required. At least one full season on a production-oriented farm is required.

General Farm Crew

(April or May through September, October, or November) – $9/hour

The ability to work hard and to learn are more important than previous farm experience for these positions. Applicants should be in good physical shape and ready to spend week upon week performing repetitive tasks under variously adverse conditions (heat, rain, dust, pollen, cold, etc.). Applicants must be able to move & think very quickly, to lift 50lbs with ease, to follow directions, and to accept & learn from constructive criticism. Applicants will need to have shown in previous jobs consistency, reliability, and a good work ethic.

We are now hiring for our 2012 season. If you are interested in applying, please fill out this application and return it to us by email or mail. At this moment (late December), we haven't hired any crew for the 2012 season. We will not hire any applicants without meeting and working briefly with them. Two references from previous or current employers are required.

 

Hours

Work hours are 7:00AM - 5:30PM, with numerous exceptions. Here are some of the exceptions:

• We begin work at 6:00AM on Tuesdays May-September and during periods of high heat
• Each crew member works on their own one Saturday morning per month
• Each crew member works until 7:30 or 8:00 one day per week
  
• The crew works until 7:00PM one or two days per week during the planting season (May/June)
  
• We begin work at 8:00AM in March/April and October/November
  

Housing

In general, we do not provide housing to our workers, but our farm is located right in Northampton, where rentals are abundant. If we hire you and you are moving from out of the area, we can provide some assistance in finding a place to live.

All Town Farm Workers receive their own office (see below). Large workspace! Excellent ventilation!