NOW HIRING FOR 2024

West County Community Farm is a diversified farm near downtown Sebastopol, CA. We use regenerative practices to grow 8 acres of vegetables, flowers, culinary herbs, and strawberries primarily for our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. All CSA members pick up their produce onsite weekly and enjoy u-pick crops including a strawberry patch and an extensive culinary herb and cut flower garden. We also sell wholesale through our local cooperative distributor FEED Sonoma.

All crew members, including managers, generally participate in all aspects of crop production from seed to harvest. Over the course of a year, managers usually average about half their time working independently or leading the crew in their specific arena and the other half of their time lending a hand where needed. Field Crew employees participate in all aspects of the work with more of an emphasis on harvest and weeding.

It is our priority to foster a positive, professional, and supportive work environment. We hire team-oriented people with a strong work ethic and positive attitude who are passionate about this work. Camaraderie and the diversity of tasks on our farm make the work interesting. We work in all weather, including heat up to 95 degrees. and the work is often physically strenuous.

To apply for one of the positions below, please send a cover letter and your resume with at least two recent work references to westcountycommunityfarm@gmail.com.

Onsite housing is not available at this time. Positions can be competitive, so folks applying from far away must already have plans to relocate to Sonoma County.

An in-person interview is required. We hire people that can commit to the full season.

OPEN POSITIONS

VEGETABLE Production Manager (OR Assistant Production Manager, D.O.E.)

Field Crew

VEGETABLE PRODUCTION MANAGER

Our current Production Manager is heading to law school in the Fall 2024 so we are looking for his replacement. This position would start in Winter or early Spring 2024 and work along side him and the farm owner to be trained and brought up to speed on our systems.

We are interviewing for either an Assistant Production Manager (someone with but strong interest but slightly less experience with farm machinery) or, a Production Manager, (someone with significant experience using tractors and field production implements to grow vegetables).

Both are dynamic positions for a skilled farmer who will lead the execution of our annual crop plan of 8 acres of diversified vegetables, cut flowers, culinary herbs and strawberries.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Lead the execution of seasonal and weekly planting and cultivation milestones

  • Tractor work — 30-40% of the job is independent tractor work including preparing fields from cover crop to finished beds, cultivating with our electric cultivation tractor, and operating the transplanter

  • Standard maintenance of farm tractors and implements

  • Lead the crew in weekly production tasks like transplanting and cultivation

  • Train new hires in field production tasks like transplanting and weeding

  • Manage irrigation schedules as well as irrigation system set-up, repairs, and maintenance

  • Help create the weekly schedule for the crew in collaboration with the other farm managers

  • Maintain the cleanliness of production work zones, tools & equipment

  • Participate in harvest (likely 3 half-days a week of harvesting from June – November, sometimes more during big harvest pushes)

  • Fill in for other roles as needed if we are short staffed (running CSA pick-ups, wash-pack, greenhouse watering, etc.)

  • Model a productive, professional, and supportive team environment

Experience & Qualifications

  • Applicants should to have a minimum of 3 years experience in production vegetable farming (including at least 1 years of managerial experience)

  • Applicants should have a strong mechanical aptitude and experience operating tractors and farm implements

  • The interest / ability to work independently and for long hours alone on a tractor

  • Experience growing a broad spectrum of vegetable crops

  • Proven leadership and communication skills

  • Experience managing irrigation schedules and maintaining irrigation systems

  • The ability to multi-task and to juggle competing priorities

  • The ability to be flexible and fill in where needed

  • The ability to make a one-year minimum commitment with a strong interest in longer term employment

Schedule & Compensation

  • Assistant Production Manager: $22-$24/hr DOE | Production Manager: $24-$28/hr DOE

  • 30-40 hours/week from January through March and 40-45 hours/week from April through November (sometimes more as needed in emergencies)

  • 3 weeks paid vacation with the opportunity for more time off January - March

  • CSA share / access to all farm produce

Both positions would involve training in the Spring to be brought up to speed with our equipment and systems.

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume with at least two recent professional references to: westcountycommunityfarm@gmail.com.

Onsite housing is not available at this time but we will tap into our network to help the right candidate find housing.

FIELD Crew

Our Field Crew is the heart of the farm. Field Crew members help seed, cultivate, and harvest all of the food, flowers, and herbs we grow. Spring tasks entail prepping and establishing the u-pick garden and summer vegetable fields; performing big greenhouse seedings and field plant-outs; and prepping the barn for CSA harvest season. June through October consists of 3-4 days of harvesting a week, washing & packing produce, weeding, and Fall crop planting. September through December see the big harvests (storage onions, carrots, potatoes, heirloom corn, winter squash) as well as the establishment of next year’s strawberries, garlic, and cover crop. Interested field crew members will also have opportunities to run CSA pick-up. This is a great position for someone interested in deepening their experience in all aspects of diversified organic vegetable, flower, and herb production in a close knit team and thriving CSA community.

Desired Skills & Experience

  • 1-2 year of experience on a production farm or similar experience in a fast-paced physical trade

  • The ability to work outdoors in inclement weather including heat up to 95 degrees.

  • The ability to maintain a positive attitude and stay focused in a fast paced environment

  • Excellent communication skills: The ability to receive constructive instruction, to learn in the role, and to help foster a fun and supportive team environment

  • Ability to lift 50 lbs repeatedly, and to squat and kneel for long hours

  • The willingness to be flexible and apply oneself where needed

  • The ability to commit to a full season

Compensation & Schedule

  • 35-45 hours a week March or April through December

  • $18-20/ hr D.O.E. starting

  • CSA share and access to unlimited vegetables

  • 1 week paid vacation between August and Nov

This is a seasonal position (March through December) with opportunity for growth into a year-round position. To apply, please send a cover letter and resume with at least two references to: westcountycommunityfarm@gmail.com.