WE ARE HIRING FOR THE 2024 SEASON
We are looking for several folks to join our small but mighty crew. We work together closely and are looking for collaborative people who like to work alone and on a team. The position we have available this year is primarily part time, but could work into full time for the right person.
To apply for this job, please complete our online application form and also send us an email detailing your skills, ability, and interest working with us to info@springrainfarm.org.
We will do phone interviews with applicants meeting our criteria and then will ask finalists to visit the farm. We will not make any job offers without an on-farm visit/interview.
Plant Care Specialist
We are hiring a new general plant grower to help raise and harvest our annual and perennial plants. This position will work closely with the farmer and crew to provide daily care for all of our plants.
This position is full time (no more than 40 hours per week), 5 days per week from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm from Tuesday to Saturday. Friday and Saturday availability is required. The season is May 1 through October 31.
The successful person will also be able to communicate via text, verbally, and in written format on a regular basis and will be involved in all aspects of our diversified farm and will gain expertise in organic small livestock production as well as fruit, annual vegetables, and greenhouse crops.
Season is May 1 through October 31. Hourly compensation is DOE plus WiFi access, paid sick leave, paid medical/family leave, and meat, eggs, and seasonal produce from the farm. Free on-farm housing may be available. Winter work may be available, but is not guaranteed. Unpaid vacation days are by request. Click here for the full job description.
Qualities for a successful job experience at SpringRain Farm & Orchard
(with thanks to Lunableu Farm)
We have had many people work with us over the years and we are always trying to be better employers in a job that is very demanding. Our first job is to be as clear as we can about the work here and our expectations. Please read this carefully before you apply for a job with SpringRain Farm. It could save you and us a lot of time. If you have questions about anything in here, feel free to contact us.
There is really no way around it, farming might be the hardest work you will ever do. It requires intelligence, creativity, organization, attention to detail, the ability to work quickly, and a great deal of physical labor. Below is a list of qualities that characterize the most successful employees at SpringRain Farm.
Physically fit — Much of the work is repetitive and you can spend hours at a time bending, kneeling, stooping, or standing at a wash station. It is important that you are physically fit and able and willing to work outdoors in all sorts of weather. You must be able to lift 40-50 lbs repeatedly.
Astute — Our farm is both our livelihood and an expression of our passion for high quality food. It is very important that you are able to be deliberate, careful, thoughtful, and detail oriented while being aware of speed and efficiency
Able to work quickly—Can you set a quick pace and keep it up for the whole task? Can you focus everything you have on doing the task at hand or do you get easily distracted?
Able to work independently — Do you lose momentum if you work alone?
Able to work as a team — Do you enjoy learning from others, teaching others, and working together to get a task done? Can you work quickly while still having fun? Or do you slow down as you talk?
Able to plan ahead– Are you good at seeing the bigger picture, can you look ahead during a task, anticipate the next step so time isn’t lost in getting more supplies or changing jobs?
Communicate clearly — You cannot be afraid to ask questions if you do not understand what needs to be done. It is important to communicate if a job doesn’t get finished or if something went wrong or if you are not sure if something is correct. It is also important to communicate if you are unhappy or have a disagreement with the farmer. We cannot try to fix what we don't know about.
POSITIVE ATTITUDE — perhaps the most important quality. We recognize that employees will not necessarily arrive with all the skills that they need to be superhero workers, but a good attitude can sure help them get there. When you try your best and are willing to listen and learn, it makes all the difference. Also, we like to have fun while we work.
A sense of humor and appreciation of the absurd are also strong assets! After a long hard day it can get a little goofy around here.
We encourage you to be an advocate for your learning while understanding the overall balance of life on a working farm. We are happy to work with you to identify and build specific skills and areas of knowledge while you are here, but you need to realize we are a commercial business.
If you come with experience from other farms we ask that you recognize that every farm is different, and that you learn how tasks are done here before attempting to change them. That being said, we always welcome questions and suggestions for improvements.
We believe strongly that having a positive farm job experience depends a lot on finding the right place and likewise for a farm to find the right person. It is important for a prospective employee to understand what they want to get out of a farm job and make sure the farm they choose will fit those goals. With all the very different farms and farmers out there, a thorough search and awareness of goals will hopefully give you a good chance of finding a situation that will work well for everyone.
Internships
We are not accepting interns or apprentices this year.