Farm Assistant at Oakland University

Oakland University; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 20,664 - 27,552; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Opportunity to pick up organic vegetables

Teamwork and community engagement

Job summary

A leading educational institution in California seeks Farm Assistants for Summer 2026 at the Campus Student Organic Farm. The role includes assisting in mixed vegetable production, data collection, and community engagement activities. Candidates must be willing to learn, manage physical tasks, and have reliable transportation to the farm. This position provides rewarding experiences, including outdoor activities and opportunities to gain real-world job skills and fresh organic produce.

Qualifications

• Ability to manage tasks requiring physical labor, bending, and lifting.
• Reliable transportation to campus and campus farm site.
• Interest in outdoor activities and teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Assist in daily field and hoophouse management duties.
• Assist in produce harvest and wash-pack.
• Assist in data entry and record keeping systems.
• Help manage Farm Share distribution and food donations.

Skills

Experience in farming or gardening

Interest in sustainability/local food systems/nutrition

Artistic and creative interests

Marketing local foods

Willingness to learn

Time management

Effective communication

Ability to lift up to 40 lbs

Ability to work in all weather conditions

Job description

PLEASE READ THIS JOB DESCRIPTION CAREFULLY!

This posting is for OAKLAND UNIVERSITY UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS. If you are a graduate student, please do no apply.

The Campus Student Organic Farm is seeking Farm Assistants for Summer 2026. Farm Assistants will be part of a team helping to manage the Campus Student Organic Farm at Adams/Walton. Farm Assistants may also assist with data collection and analysis, research, communication, and other activities related to the farm, depending on specific qualifications and previous training.

This position requires that you have transportation - the Campus Student Organic Farm is located on campus but is in a remote location.

This position can be very rewarding in many ways, both personally and in terms of academic preparation and preparation for work-skills beyond college. There is a lot of teamwork and “community” in the work and activities at the Campus Student Organic Farm and the job is rarely boring. Those who accept the position generally find the combination of outdoor and indoor activityrewarding, both physically and intellectually stimulating and it has the side benefit of having many opportunities to pick up some great free organic vegetables.

Experience and interests including one or more of the following will be considered a "plus":

• Experience in farming or gardening
• Background or interest in sustainability/local foods systems/nutrition
• Artistic and creative interests/graphics, social media
• Experience or interests in marketing local foods
• Willingness to learn
• Ability to efficiently manage time, resources and people and communicate effectively
• Ability to manage tasks that sometimes require physical labor, bending, and lifting up to 40 lbs.
• Ability to work in all weather conditions, which may include heat and cold.
• Reliable transportation to campus and campus farm site (Adams/Walton)

Job Summary

Main duties focus on field management pertaining to mixed vegetable production—irrigation, planting, weeding, harvest, pest control, soil amendments, etc. Work sites include Campus Student Organic Farm and, on some occasions, community engagement and service learning sites.

Secondary duties include assisting with the essential record-keeping of the farm. During the fall and winter activities may also include on-campus laboratory work and research.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in daily field and hoophouse management duties
• Assist in produce harvest and wash-pack
• Assist in data entry and record keeping systems
• Assist in campus farmstand setup & teardown, sales, or associated duties
• Help manage Farm Share distribution and food donations
• Help maintain office, storage areas and tools.
• Assist in volunteer coordination and / or e-communications.

The Campus Student Organic Farm at Oakland University is a community of students, faculty and staff committed to nourishing the local community through exceptional educational programs, community engagement, fresh healthy food and plenty of fun! The CSOF is a living classroom for students and the greater campus community, and harvesting and distributing produce for sale and donations. The CSOF is expanding production and new distribution markets, and is seeking motivated students to assist in management and implementation of new projects, gaining valuable real-world job-related experience.