Youth Farm Assistant

Description

POSITION TITLE: Youth Farm Assistant 

RESPONSIBLE TO: Youth Farm Supervisor 

CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt, Agricultural Employee  

HOURS PER WEEK: 28 hrs./week (June -November)  

SALARY: $18.50 / hour  

BENEFITS: Eligible for FFLC-sponsored benefits (e.g. paid time off benefits such as holidays, floating days, vacation and sick leave)

ABOUT THE YOUTH FARM: FOOD For Lane County’s Youth Farm is an educational produce farm where we work with community to increase food security and offer skill-building opportunities to people of all ages, including volunteers of all ages, a youth farm crew of teens, academic interns and Rogue Farm Corps apprentices. Staff and youth run an on-site produce stand from June – October and a 180-member Community Supported Agriculture program, providing organic vegetables to the local community. FOOD For Lane County (FFLC) distributes approximately half of the produce grown at the farm through a network of partner agencies to our community’s most vulnerable households.  

PRIMARY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Assist Youth Farm staff in all aspects of intensively growing over 40 different kinds of produce on a five-acre site, including assisting with greenhouse seeding, power equipment operation, farm maintenance, crop cultivation, harvesting and post-harvest handling. 
• Assist in preparation of new farm site, including helping with grounds maintenance, trials of crops, perennial crop plantings, infrastructure projects. 
• Working with staff, volunteers and youth farmers to accomplish all farm tasks and create a positive, rewarding experience  
• Assist with revenue raising activities, including CSA and onsite produce stand  
• Adhere to all safety and health protocols  

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Minimum one-year of experience growing organic produce in a commercial setting  
• Good communication and teamwork skills; dependable and reliable  
• Willingness to work Saturdays  
• Ability to stay organized, follow written and verbal instructions and compete tasks on time  
• Independently motivated, able to be productive in small groups and independently 
• Actively demonstrate FFLC’s values of compassion, collaboration, and inclusion  

WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is done both indoors and outdoors in all-weather with some exposure to exhaust from farm equipment, dust and dirt. Physical labor includes frequent standing, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, lifting (up to 40 lbs.), carrying, pushing, pulling, reaching and walking to perform gardening tasks, and operate various gardening equipment.  

NOTE: Job descriptions are not intended to be and should not be construed as exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with a job. They are intended to be accurate reflections of principal job elements essential for making fair pay decisions about jobs.  

Reasonable Accommodations: Food for Lane County complies with federal, state, and local laws regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources, 541.343.2822  

FFLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, diverse ability, or any other characteristic protected under local, state or federal law.