Careers

Description:

We are a small agroforestry-inspired farm in the Finger Lakes Region of New York, focused on producing a range of perennial and forest crops including mushrooms, maple syrup, pastured lamb, duck eggs, and trees.

We demonstrate and develop systems that produce food and medicine while restoring healthy forests and ecosystems. We are passionate about education and food justice and work on both within the farm and in our off farm work. We work to change the food system and increase access to land and resources for those our society has historically and continues to marginalize. We approach farming with a land ethic that values community, honesty, integrity and hard land-based work.

Learn more about us at our ABOUT PAGE

Each season we hire a farmhand from April thru November to assist in our day-to-day activities running the farm. This position is best suited for those who have 1+ years farm experience and are looking to build on their career goals in agriculture by incorporating agroforestry. See details below and apply by FEBRUARY 15!

We also welcome seasonal organization-affiliated apprentices from June - October, with at least a two month commitment to being here during that time window. Apprentices work on the farm one to three days a week. This role is best suited for those with less experience, who are looking to better understand rotational grazing systems, silvopasture, mushroom production, and small scale forestry and tree management. For labor and insurance reasons, apprentices need an affiliation with an educational institution or organization. If interested, email stevegabrielfarmer@gmail.com for more details.

Job Description

Join us and participate in a production, education, and agritourism enterprise that invites the larger community to connect via our products, educational events, and short stays on farm in our rentals.

We seek individuals that identify as self-driven, detail-oriented, and skilled at honest and open communication. While the right fit for this position has previous land-based experience, we also will support your learning and development on the farm and in agroforestry systems.  

Responsibilities

Farm (~22 of hours/week): Support routine tasks including managing our mushroom production (woods and indoor), rotational grazing of sheep and ducks, animal care, tree nursery care, and other daily chores. Ongoing projects include pasture improvement, forest and tree crop management, tree care, composting, light construction, painting, repairs, etc

Farm Rentals (~6 of hours/week): Clean and sanitize and set-up farm stay rentals 2 – 4 times per week as guests come and go. Tend to basic gardening and landscaping surrounding rentals and occasionally, painting, light construction, and repairs. 

Education Program Support (~4 of hours/week): Lead or co-lead farm tours following safe guidelines. Support workshops and events when these become possible to host again.

Employment Dates and Rates

April 1 through November 1, 2019 at 30 - 35 hours per week at $15/hr.  Work hours are specifically Monday - Friday from 8am to 3pm. Applicants should be committed to work at the specified times listed. These hours could potentially be split between two people (15 - 20hrs each) or taken by one person.

Work Benefits

Employees receive a weekly share of our on-farm harvest (mushrooms, eggs), as well as a full vegetable share from a local CSA farm. Personal garden space is available. We offer free access to our online courses and on farm workshops (if they occur). Workers comp is provided as dictated by New York State Law.

We have had past employees bring their camper or tiny house, which is ideal, and we welcome. There is no fee for on site space for this type of housing, but we do ask you to cover the cost of utilities (typically propane & electric) that service your house. There is also the option to camp on-site for the summer free of charge, as many previous employees have done. We have a rustic camp kitchen - do we?, outdoor hot shower, compost toilet, and swimming pond on site. These facilities are shared with others when we are conducting educational programs and need to be maintained throughout the season.

Transportation

Unfortunately, there is no reliable public transportation to our farm. The closest is a bus from Ithaca twice a day 4 miles from our farm.  It is recommended that employees have their own personal vehicles.

• Minimum of one season experience working on a farm or equivalent experience
• Experience managing pastured livestock, moving fencing, animal welfare  
• Familiarity with machinery including tractors, chainsaws, power tools (additional safety training will occur so proficiency, not expertise, is ideal)
• Detail-oriented and thoughtful about keeping farm spaces and tools organized and clean
• High cleanliness standards for the farm stay rentals (even higher than person standards)!
• Interest to observe and interact with farm systems intentionally

• Demonstrated problem solving ability

• Excellent initiative and follow-through with tasks
• A sense of pride and integrity in doing good work and holding oneself accountable
• Emotional maturity and life experience
• Ability to work independently, as well as in teams
• A clear passion for farming and food, interest in the intersection of farming & justice
• Interest in lifelong learning and interaction with our students
• Reliable attendance at weekly meetings, organized to track tasks and report on progress

• Ability to lift 50 lbs and work in a variety of weather conditions

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Wellspring Forest Farm provides equal employment opportunities to applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, termination, compensation and training. We prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.

As white land and business owners, we recognize our privilege and power on many levels and are committed to actively exploring issues with openness and honesty, with the goal of dismantling racism and discrimination in our work, business, and the larger world. We encourage people of all backgrounds and races to consider applying.  

TO APPLY:

https://forms.gle/K6gJjNhVbANoyXoC8

We are reviewing applications weekly as they come in until February 15th.

We will contact folks around then who we’d like to interview. We aim to make a decision by March 1.