Seasonal Market Garden Assistant (PT)

Theground; Oregon (WI); On-site; USD 19,320 - 27,517; Part time

Job summary

Theground is seeking a Seasonal Garden Assistant to join Tabula Rasa Farms in Oregon. This part-time role, requiring 24-30 hours a week from Tuesday to Thursday, involves nurturing a diverse market garden while contributing to food production goals.

The ideal candidate will have experience in small-scale farming and a strong passion for gardening, as well as the ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions. Compensation is $17/hr for a temporary seasonal position without benefits.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years of experience in small-scale farming or vegetable gardening.
• Current valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
• Able to meet physical demands of farm labor.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planting, harvesting, washing, and packaging fresh produce.
• Maintain garden areas and perform daily tasks.
• Keep accurate records of market garden operations.

Skills

Gardening experience

Ability to work outside in various weather

Teamwork

Focus during repetitive tasks

Tools

Garden tools

BCS walk-behind tractor

Irrigation systems

Job description

Description

Tabula Rasa Farms is a 440 acre, diversified, regenerative farm that sits amongst the foothills of Oregon’s Coast Range, 4 miles west of Carlton, OR. We have an integrated livestock and garden operation where we raise grass-fed/grass-finished cattle, forested and pasture-raised heritage breed hogs, laying hens, and turkeys. Our 3 acre market garden runs a 4-season program growing 140 varieties of vegetables and fruits supporting local restaurants and a CSA program.

Tabula Rasa Farms is part of the ecosystem of The Ground which is based in the beautiful Willamette Valley. The Ground is a business that connects farm, food, and people through hospitality.

Why We Need You

We are seeking a self-motivated, skilled individual with a passion for gardening to assist during our peak season in our market garden. This is a part-time position, working Tuesday-Thursday, and likely working through December.

The Seasonal Garden Assistant works closely with the Market Garden Leads, Farm Operations Manager and other farm employees to assist with planting, harvesting, washing, packaging, and cleaning fresh produce. Your responsibilities include helping with weeding, pruning, plant and soil maintenance, seeding, transplanting, and more. Other duties include keeping accurate records of all market garden operations, such as seeding and harvesting schedules, pest and diseases. As a garden assistant, you will use a variety of hand tools and machinery to complete your tasks, so you should be familiar with garden equipment. Occasionally, you may also help with feeding, watering, and moving livestock as needed.

Responsibilities

• Be receptive to learning new methods of farming/gardening and sharing existing knowledge of farming/gardening.
• Support food production goals and ongoing garden maintenance through daily tasks such as seeding, planting, watering, weeding, mulching and mowing.
• Propagate plants from seed in high tunnel.
• Process vegetables for distribution including harvesting, washing, bunching, and packing.
• Perform light data entry and other record-keeping.
• Maintain garden areas by operating gas-powered string trimmer, tiller, and mower as needed.
• Install, maintain, and operate drip and overhead irrigation systems.
• Occasional farm and animal assistance dependent on need and other work priorities.

Requirements

Qualifications and Skills

Must-Have

• Current, valid driver’s license and clean driving record in order to be insurable for farm vehicle use
• Reliable transportation
• 1-2 years of experience in small-scale farming or vegetable gardening.
• Ability to maintain focus while performing repetitive tasks
• Ready to work outside, in all types of weather
• Able to meet the physical demands of farm labor, such as walking, standing, reaching, stooping, squatting, lifting up to 50 lbs and working indoors and outdoors in cold, hot or wet conditions on uneven surfaces
• Excited to learn/deepen knowledge of market gardening best practices and techniques
• Open to direction and working well in a team

Nice-to-Have

• Comfortable using Microsoft suite.
• Experience with BCS (or other) walk-behind-tractors and implements.
• Experience with irrigation system installation and repair, both drip and overhead.
• Experience starting plants in a greenhouse or high tunnel.
• Experience using tractors, skid steers, and related implements.

Schedule

Part time: Average 24-30 hrs/week, Tuesday-Thursday

Full time: 40+ hrs/week, Monday-Friday

Wages and Benefits

$17/hr

No benefits as this is a temporary, seasonal position

HABLAMOS ESPAÑOL, COMUNÍQUESE PARA OBTENER INFORMACIÓN ADICIONAL, GRACIAS!