Farm: Assistant Grower

109 Elm St, Canton MA

Description

Work Opportunity: ASSISTANT GROWER at PAKEEN FARM Pakeen Farm is a small, diversified family farm located just outside Boston in Canton, MA. We grow apple trees, Christmas trees, vegetables, berries, and flowers. We run a multi-farm C.S.A. from June through November, and have two robust on-farm retail seasons: our Fall Harvest Season in September and October, and our Christmas Tree Season from just after Thanksgiving to mid-December. All farm production is currently managed by Farmer Dave. We are seeking an assistant grower to cooperate in all aspects of farm production for our 2021 growing season. This position is available from April through October, with the potential to extend employment through mid-December. Hourly commitment can be part-time (minimum 20 hrs/week) or full-time, to be determined through the interview process. Responsibilities, by category: • ORCHARD tasks: transplanting, spraying (organic), monitoring, mowing, irrigation, harvesting • Christmas TREE tasks: planting, transplanting, mulching, mowing, shearing • BERRIES and other PERENNIALS tasks: pruning, weeding, mowing, irrigation, harvesting • VEGETABLES tasks: high tunnel crop management, field crop management • OTHER farm tasks: assisting with CSA distribution, maintenance of structures & machines, some livestock management (layer hens), other tasks as directed by the farm manager Qualifications, REQUIRED: • Punctual, with reliable form of transportation • Valid drivers license + commitment to safe driving (we do have a farm truck and there are occasional times when the Assistant Grower will need to drive it) • Strong work ethic • Comfortable working independently, and able to remain productive for extended periods of time • Prepared for and capable of hard physical work, such as: ⁃ Lifting minimum 50lbs repeatedly ⁃ Working outdoors, in all types of weather Qualifications, PREFERRED: • Previous experience in farming • Sense of humor, good-natured & open-minded Qualifications…EXTRA CREDIT! • Carpentry/handyman skills • Mechanical skills (small machines mostly, and diesel tractors) • Tractor operation experience • Food service experience Compensation: • $15-$20/hr, based on relevant experience and overall fit with our operation. To apply, please send a simple cover letter and resume to [email protected].