Field Crew Member, Seed Growing Program
The Hudson Valley Farm Hub (HVFH) is a non-profit agricultural center dedicated to resiliency in the regional food system. Since the Farm Hub’s founding in 2013, we have converted the approximately 1600-acre farm operation to a multi-year rotation of organically grown grains, cover crops and vegetables with an intensive focus on soil health. We steer our efforts towards the greater community of regional farmers, Hudson Valley neighbors, and the natural environment as we advance field research and innovation, provide training and informational gatherings for growers and community members, and support community resiliency.
We are seeking an enthusiastic and collaborative individual who enjoys working as part of a team to join the Farm Hub. The ideal candidate will have hands-on agriculture field experience as well as experience operating tractors and farm equipment.
Position Summary
The Seed Growing Program at the Hudson Valley Farm Hub is engaged in supporting culturally, agriculturally, and personally resonant relationships between seeds and people.
Reporting to the Seed Growing Program Community Seed Manager, the Field Crew Member is a key member of the Seed Growing Program Team. This role supports the vision and purpose of the program and assists with all field-related aspects of the department as well as offering support with events, hosting and other programmatic activities. The position is foundational to seed care needs and requires consistent hands-on garden and field work, as well as greenhouse and tractor operations.
Responsibilities:
- Participate in all aspects of hand-scale garden work and seed production following the seasonality of planting, maintenance, harvest & post-harvest handling
- Fulfill daily garden and field tasks as assigned by the Community Seed Manager including, but not limited to: greenhouse seeding, monitoring & watering, transplanting, direct seeding; weeding, cultivation; seed harvest & cleaning; pest/disease monitoring and amelioration; data collection, entry, organization, reporting; photos and video documentation
- Assist with all tractor and equipment operations pertaining to seed production and field management included, but not limited to: Tillage, cultivation, spraying, compost application, harvest, direct seeding, transplanting, post-harvest handling, mowing, mulching, irrigating, cover cropping; Operating tractors and implements safely and effectively; Operating field small equipment including BCS, mower, string trimmer, leaf blower; Conducting routine equipment maintenance and adjustments as needed
- Contribute to record keeping
- Use hand tools including hoe, pruner, sickle, sledge hammer, power drill
- Care for seed needs including seed harvesting, cleaning, testing, and storage
- Install and maintain basic infrastructure including trellising, fencing, row cover
- Organize and maintain tools as well as tool shed, greenhouse and other storage spaces
- Organize, maintain, and restock PPE, go-bag, and other safety needs for field work
- Support in-person events with set-up/ prep, on-site logistics, food and clean-up
- Participate in training, workshops and staff meetings related to farm operations during work hours
- Co-responsible for fostering and contributing to a safe, supportive, communicative, compassionate, and productive workplace culture with their colleagues
- Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
- At least three years hands-on agriculture field experience
- Experience operating tractors and farm equipment
- Verbal and reading proficiency in either English or Spanish; if Spanish is the primary language, ability to communicate and read basic work-related information in English, including task lists, white boards, and email
- Ability to work efficiently and with attention to detail
- Must be personable, flexible, and possess excellent organizational & communication skills
- Basic computer skills, particularly with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, Google Drive
- Ability to participate and foster a work environment of mutual respect, team building and collaboration; committed to continuous improvement and a culture of learning and empathy
- Exhibit confidence and comfort with independent work in field and with working collaboratively within and across teams at the farm
- Capacity to respect and follow diverse cultural seed relationships, growing practices, and approaches to seed growing, breeding, and sharing
- Able to work both independently and collaboratively with people of diverse backgrounds and experience levels
- Commitment to the Farm Hub’s mission and values of equity and ecological resilience
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Able and willing to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, including light rain and cold and hot temperatures
- Availability for periodic evening and weekend work for scheduled events
- NYS Drivers license and clean driving record
Preferred Qualifications:
- Seed saving experience
- If English is the primary language, verbal proficiency in Spanish
- Experience and interest in interdisciplinary work
- Lived experience and/or familiarity with one or more approaches to botany, agriculture, plant breeding and seed keeping, including Traditional Ecological Knowledge, queer or non-binary lenses, regenerative concepts, or culturally embedded seedways
Position Details
The Field Crew Member, Seed Growing Program is a full-time, (non-exempt) hourly position with full benefits. Compensation for this position is $23.00 - $25.00 per hour with housing not included. We also pay time and a half for any hours worked over 40, along with a comprehensive benefit package.
Typical Schedule
The typical schedule is Monday – Friday from 8:00am – 5:00pm. There may be some periodic weekend work required.
Hudson Valley Farm Hub (HVFH) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, socio-economic status, disability, or medical condition.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $23.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Experience:
- field-based farm and/or greenhouse work: 1 year (Required)
Work Location: In person
