Farmer Associate Jobs

Position: Farmer Associate

Status: Full-Time, Part-Time, and Seasonal - Non-Exempt

Hours: Hours per week varies. Days to include any time Sunday through Thursday, occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Reports to: Farm Production & Production Internship Manager

About Coastal Roots Farm

Coastal Roots Farm (CRF) is a nonprofit Jewish community farm and education center. We cultivate healthy, connected communities by integrating sustainable agriculture, food justice, and ancient Jewish wisdom.

We share organic produce with those who need it most and connect people to compelling Jewish ideas and traditions through farming and food. We distribute food through our on-site pay-what-you-can Farm Stand, pop up mobile farm stands, and donations to hunger relief organizations. We offer hands-on education and experiences through School and Group Visits, Farm Camp Farm Tours, Volunteer Opportunities, Jewish Agricultural Festivals, and other community events, inviting our neighbors to connect to the land, Jewish tradition, and each other.

Coastal Roots Farm is located in Encinitas, CA on approximately 17 acres of land which we recognize as indigenous to the Kumeyaay and Luiseño peoples. Our Farm consists of vegetable production fields, education farm and gardens, a food forest, chickens, and compost operations. Coastal Roots Farm was incubated by the Leichtag Foundation in 2014 and received 501(c)(3) public charity status in 2015.

Position Overview

The Farmer Associate position may be full-time, part-time, or seasonal, and will support the farm’s operations through landscape maintenance, harvesting, cultivation, and follow-through of projects within the following organically maintained production areas: vegetable fields, food forest, chicken care, and composting. The Farmer Associate role requires flexibility and agility, as well as specializing in certain areas. While all farmers float between all farm operations, each person has a workload with a specific focus in unique areas according to individual skill sets and organizational needs. Sometimes this even constitutes individualized scheduling to cover tasks and shifts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

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

Production Areas:

• Support crop production on the farm including weed and pest management, harvesting, watering, transplanting, fertilizing, sheet mulching, and greenhouse propagation.
• Support infrastructure functionality, irrigation, field edge maintenance, cleanliness, and organization.
• Support post-harvest operations and farm stand restocking and staffing as needed.
• Support care and maintenance of chicken flocks as needed.
• Support organized record keeping.

Education and Events:

• Provide support for Coastal Roots Farm programs and events as needed.

Required Qualifications and Experiences

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Flexibility and willingness to take on a variety of tasks along with an ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative team environment.
• Knowledge and passion around community farming, food justice, food systems development, etc.
• 0-1 years of relevant work experience particularly within the fields of landscape maintenance, organic/regenerative farming, construction, plumbing, or relevant trades.
• Strong work ethic and ability to perform strenuous physical labor in inclement weather.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Cooperative, service-oriented attitude and ability to work independently and take initiative, set priorities, and see projects through to completion.
• Detail oriented.
• A valid driver’s license.
• Creative skills and ability to experiment to attain new, better strategies, approaches, and solutions to challenges.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Technical knowledge and familiarity with irrigation construction, troubleshooting, and repair.
• Knowledge of agricultural equipment usage and safety.
• Understanding of working within a nonprofit organization.
• Knowledge of species and climate specific to Southern California.
• Knowledge and experience in safe use of weed whackers, lawnmowers, power tools and other small machinery.

Reporting Relationship

Reports directly to the Farm Production & Production Internship Manager.

Compensation

Starting at $15.50 per hour, commensurate with experience.

Typical Working Conditions

The Farmer Associate will work outdoors conducting a variety of tasks, often repetitive with technical support from supervisor and teammates. There will be exposure to Southern California outside temperatures, chemicals used in the agricultural industry, and loud noises.

Essential Physical Tasks

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

Continuous walking, standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, reaching, lifting, and pushing/pulling up to 50 lbs., cutting, and carrying. Able to walk a minimum of .5 miles on uneven narrow trails with elevation gain.

Application Process

Please go to https://coastalrootsfarm.org/job-opportunities/ and click on “Job and Internship opportunities” to apply online. All applicants must submit:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Job questions

Coastal Roots Farm is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to building an inclusive workforce. We welcome and strongly encourage people with diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. All qualified candidates, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status, or genetic information will be considered for this position.