Employment

We currently have one part-time position available for the 2022 season:

Field Crew Member

2022 Job Description

 About Our Farm

 Plowshares & Prairie Farm is located in Argyle, WI. Through our community supported agriculture (CSA), we provide 75 weekly shares to our members, and also sell produce at a weekly market in Fitchburg. We are certified organic by MOSA and endorsed by FairShare CSA Coalition.

 We grow on two acres with little mechanization. Farmers Scott and Chelsea both have backgrounds in environmental science and policy and are passionate about managing the farm as a holistic system, while providing quality produce and interaction with our CSA members. Our farm is located in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin, just outside Argyle.

 About the Position

 Qualifications and Experience

This is a physically demanding job that requires employees to be in good physical health. While there is great diversity in specific tasks to be completed by the employee throughout the day and season, the job will include a good amount of repetitive physical tasks including bending, kneeling, twisting, and crawling. The field crew member must be able to lift up to 40 lbs. Moreover, employees must be flexible and able to work in a variety of weather conditions (including heat or cold, rain or shine).

In this highly collaborative environment, effective two-way communication is essential. Employees must be able to communicate clearly and be receptive to feedback, and work cooperatively and respectfully with others.

Furthermore, the ideal field crew member will exhibit a strong work ethic, and be able to work independently and self-motivate. Ability to multi-task, focus, be attentive to detail, and follow instructions are crucial as the employee strives to work efficiently while maintaining quality. The field crew member must be punctual, prepared, and have transportation to and from the farm. Everyone benefits from a positive attitude, willingness to learn, and flexibility.

Prior farm experience is preferable but not required, and starting pay will be based on experience and amount of responsibility. For employees with prior farm experience and a strong sense of leadership and responsibility, there may be opportunities to take on additional management roles and independent work.

 Responsibilities

The bulk of employee work involves field production, harvesting, washing, and packing vegetables. The field crew member position will entail the following duties:

·        Harvest, wash, and pack produce (50%)

·        Weed (25%)

·        Sow seeds and transplant vegetables (20%)

·        Install and disassemble irrigation systems, lay mulch, train and trellis plants (5%)

The field crew employee will also perform other duties as required. Specific tasks vary greatly at different stages of the growing season and are dependent on weather.

As a small farm, we interact a great deal with employees. While we have many tasks we simply need to get done, if an employee expresses a particular interest we will do our best to accommodate this, sharing our knowledge and offering related opportunities.

Employees will gain valuable experience on a highly diversified, organic farm. Working with over 40 crops and 100 varieties of produce, there is always something new to learn and inherent variety in work throughout the day and season.

 Work Schedule

This is a part-time position based at our farm in Argyle, WI. The farm crew member will be scheduled to work for 20-30 hours per week. This seasonal employment can run from May to October, with exact start dates negotiable based on other commitments, such as school.

While we need to ensure our employees can work during certain core hours throughout the week, we have some flexibility with exact days, and start and end times. The field crew member can negotiate the schedule during the hiring process to find a mutually beneficial arrangement; however, once established, we expect these work times to be regular. At a minimum, the field crew member must be available to work on delivery days (Tuesdays and Thursdays) when we start at 7:30am. There is more flexibility on non-delivery days. Reasonable breaks (including a 30-minute unpaid lunch) are given for this physically demanding work. We typically work on holidays (Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day), however we value work-life balance, and certainly allow occasional days off during the seasonal employment period with prior approval.

Compensation

Starting wage is $9-$11 per hour, depending on qualifications, experience, and responsibilities. We consider bonuses and raises during the season for good performance. Other perks include ample access to extra produce and getting plenty of exercise and vitamin D! On-site housing is not available, but commuting from nearby towns is straightforward and we are happy to assist by discussing initial logistics with prospective candidates.

 How to Apply

 We invite qualified candidates to submit a resume and 1-2 work-related references, and a note about how you learned about the position to Chelsea@plowsharesandprairie.com and include “Farm Employee” in the subject line. We will accept applications until positions are filled.

 We will review application materials, and will reach out to promising applicants to schedule a phone interview. We may then follow up with an in-person interview and/or trial working session so we can evaluate each other in a real work setting. Based on the interviews, trial, and references, if we determine that it is a good fit, we’ll offer you a position. If accepted, we’ll look forward to working with you this summer on the farm!