Position Summary:

The Grower in Training position encompasses all aspects of farm work to ensure the overall quality and production goals of the farm are maintained. This may include: prepping sites, implementing crop plans, seeding, planting, tending, weeding, trellising, pest management, irrigating and harvesting crops, as well as animal care. We are looking for an individual who is self-motivated, detail oriented, timely, maintains a positive attitude, has excellent communication skills, and a strong work ethic. This is a full-time position that provides you with on the job training, and scaffolded leadership opportunities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

Crop Care & Production (25% - 10 hrs/week)*:

Hand cultivating beds for weed control;

Daily observation and maintenance of farm sites including seeding, planting, tending, weeding, trellising and irrigating crops;

Pest Management - monitoring and spraying crops for insect and disease prevention, may include hand-picking, maintaining row cover, and spraying of organic pesticides;

Irrigation set up and system monitoring, including drip, sprinkler and hand irrigation;

Harvesting (25% - 10hrs/week)*:

Harvesting, post-harvest handling, record keeping of crops for sale and distribution;

Assisting with produce packing, sales, load-in and out of produce at farmers’ markets and for the Fresh Moves Mobile Market — must be able to lift 50 pounds;

Bed Prep & Composting (20% - 8 hrs/week)*:

Prepare and build-out fields for seeding, planting and transplanting;

Applying vermicompost or other soil amendments to crops;

Compost processing and record keeping of expired crops and produce;

General Farm Upkeep (15% - 6 hrs / week)*:

Opening & Closing checklists & recordkeeping;

Maintaining records for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) requirements;

Ensuring farm is clean of debris, garbage, signs are hung up, etc;

Daily reporting to supervisor with weekly progress reports submitted;

Animal Care (15% - 6 hrs / week)*:

Animal Care - provide daily feed and water, cleaning housing areas of animals once a week or more frequently, as needed;

Special Projects & Other, as needed:

Construction and repair of hoop-houses and additional infrastructure on farm sites, as needed;

Occasional transportation of supplies to farm locations, as needed;

Assisting in other farm tasks, programs, and events, as needed;

Participation in special projects and committees, as needed/interested

**These projected time allocations represent an estimated average time only - the nature of this work is seasonal and actual time will be tracked weekly and adjusted seasonally based on seasonal farm needs.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):

At least one full growing season (spring-summer-fall) of a growing position at a working farm;

Experience growing crops from the following families: brassicas, alliums, nightshades, legumes, cucurbits, root crops, cut salad greens, etc;

Basic knowledge of safe power tool use;

Ability to problem solve;

Excellent physical stamina;

Ability to lift 50 pounds;

COVID-19 Vaccination or approved medical/religious exemption with mandatory weekly testing

Able to work early mornings, weekends and occasional holidays

Preferred: Valid Driver’s License, clean driving record and willingness to drive;

Preferred: IL Pesticide Applicator License

Preferred: Familiarly with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP); Organic Certification & FSMA requirements

Excellent organizational, communication and follow-through skills;

Maintains appropriate professional boundaries in working with co-workers and teens;

Ability to think critically and creatively;

Willingness to work as part of a team in a collaborative environment, but have the ability to work unsupervised to complete the job;

Basic familiarity with Google Workspace & GSuite, and/or willingness to learn;

Passion for food justice, youth development and urban farming.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions:

Must be willing and prepared to work outdoors in all weather conditions (hot, humid, rainy, cold, snowy);

Hours vary throughout the season but are generally 7:00a-3:30p or 8:30-5p, with (2) - 20min paid breaks and a 30min unpaid lunch break.

This position requires excellent physical stamina, and the ability to regularly lift 50 pounds.

This position requires operation of several different types of power equipment and machinery to carry out responsibilities of the role, including: tiller, weed wacker, Dingo, Gator, lawn mower, air compressor, drills, saw, etc.;

This position requires daily use and safe-handling of farm tools including wheelbarrows, tools, hand-tools, irrigation equipment;

Schedule:

This is a full-time seasonal position, 40 hours per week

5 days / week (weekend day and holidays required), Tentative schedule may be: 8:30-5:00p (spring/fall) / 7:00a-3:30p (summer, morning shift) or 10:30a-7:00p (summer, evening shift)

Breaks: 2 - 20 minute breaks (paid) + 30 minute lunch (unpaid)