Description
Wild Hope Farm is a certified organic farm in Chester, SC, specializing in vegetable and flower production. The 220 acre property consists of 12 acres in cultivation, greenhouses, walking trails, a 10-acre pond, and diversified natural areas. Our produce is sold through a 300-400 person CSA farm share, to local food hubs and chefs, and at two farmers markets in the greater Charlotte area (Uptown and Matthews Farmers Markets). We also host complementary on-farm events including retreats, farm-to-table dinners, and educational workshops to cultivate community and encourage people to learn about our farming practices.
We are seeking people with a passion for diversified organic vegetable production. All farm employees are integral members of our 10-15 member team at Wild Hope Farm. Over the course of the season, you will be exposed to all aspects of our farm and deepen your knowledge of our regenerative organic farming methods including: CSA planning, produce harvest and post-harvest techniques, transplanting, cultivation, cover cropping, flower production, soil health improvement strategies, customer interfacing and small farm marketing.
During your time here, you will work directly with our Farm Manager, Ben Dubard and Harvest Manager, Sarah Hinson.
THE WORK SCHEDULE: Year round starting March
The work at Wild Hope Farm is seasonal and the length of the workday varies within the busy season. Crew members work 40-45 hrs over a 5 day work week. The pay for agricultural work at Wild Hope Farm is exempt from overtime pay.
- Working 4 days Monday - Friday, & Saturdays 5:30 am - 2pm
- Our normal hours are 6:00 AM - 2:45 PM during peak summer, 7:00 AM - 3:45 in the early spring/fall (includes a 45 min lunch break)
- Sundays are always off and we will alternate the day off during the week to make sure every few weeks you get 2 consecutive days off
Responsibilities
FARM RESPONSIBILITIES
- Crew members will mainly participate in harvest, wash and pack for CSA and markets throughout the season
- Additional crew tasks will include transplanting, hoeing, hand weeding, greenhouse seeding, bin washing, trellising and flower harvesting
- Other activities could include weed whacking, mowing, basic drip irrigation setup and removal, sheet mulching and various farm or property maintenance tasks
- Crew members are expected to maintain focus and mental engagement in the task at hand
MARKET RESPONSIBILITIES
With an expanding CSA program and busy market booth, the farmers markets are significant sales channels for the farm. The farmers market crew member is responsible for all aspects of running our booth at the farmers market booth late April through November.
- Assist in planning, preparing and packing for the Farmers Market on Fridays
- Driving the truck and trailer or cargo van to Market every Saturday
- Set-up and break-down of the market booth on Saturday
- Record keeping of market sales using the Square App
- Ability (and confidence) to learn how to drive a truck and refrigerated trailer
- Saturday market recap emails
Qualifications
- People person - able to interact with farm share members and others who visit our booth
- Ability to stay calm in stressful situations like running the booth at peak hours (8-9:30 am) or dealing with difficult customers
- Enjoys strategizing about how to increase sales and customer satisfaction at the booth
- Experience driving a truck and trailer (or willingness to learn)
- A good driving record
- Experience in retail or food sales is a plus
- Previous farming experience is a plus
- Experience with physical labor or intense outdoor activity - able to lift 50 lbs regularly
- Ability to stay focused throughout the day, keeping an efficient pace no matter the activity
- Ability to work in all types of weather (hot, rainy, and cold)
- Farming requires flexibility and a can-do attitude
- Prefers working within a team
- Curiosity and a sense of humor
- Must have reliable transportation
Benefits
- $15/hr through bi-monthly installments
- Provided fresh produce from the farm
- Opportunity to enroll in our 401k plan after 1 year of employment, 3% matching
- Healthcare stipend $150/mo after 1 year of employment
- Experience working on a fast-paced, successful vegetable farm
The following guidelines on vacation and personal time assume full time employment from April through the end of November.
Vacations: You are given the base of 5 vacation days for your first year and 10 days in the second year. Vacation times will be scheduled at the beginning of the season, trying to take all needs into account. If you would like to take additional unpaid vacation days, please speak with Peanut about scheduling.
Personal Time: It is expected that there will be some need during the season for every employee to take some personal time, whether for car repairs, doctor's appointments, or other personal needs. Each full-time employee may take up to 2 paid personal days each season. The personal day does not need to be taken as a “full day.” It is expected that except for emergencies, a week's notice will be given about the need for personal time.
Sick Time: When you're sick, please don't work. All employees will be allowed 5 days of paid sick leave. If health circumstances arise that cause you to miss more than this during the season, there will be a discussion as to whether the position is right for you at this time. Sick days that are not taken will go unpaid.