SOUTH DARTMOUTH MA: Seasonal Gardener/Field Worker 2022 JOB OPENING

Round the Bend Farm (RTB), a Center for Restorative Community, is located in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts and is a 115-acre working farm and educational non-profit.  We are a living laboratory that cultivates, educates, and empowers people of all ages.  We are devoted to the global paradigm shift toward hope and abundance by valuing diversity, modeling nature, and redefining wealth.  RTB is seeking a passionate and motivated individual to join our team as a Seasonal Gardener/Field Worker. We are accepting applications until April 1, 2022. Start and end dates are flexible, approximately from May 3, 2022 through November 1, 2022.

JOB DESCRIPTION

As a Gardner/Field-Worker, this position entails working under the direction of our Garden Manager & Manifest Love farm team in the operation of both RTB’s diversified market-garden & field vegetable production for our Manifest Love project.

We are currently growing a diversified range of vegetables, fruits, nuts, edible perennials, mushrooms and medicinal herbs, on roughly 1-2 acres of land, to feed and heal our community, source on farm events and sell to the public. Our Manifest Love project is an additional (approximately) 3 acres of field vegetable production which grows, gleans and packages free weekly food shares to approximately 125 families in New Bedford, in collaboration with YWCA Southeastern MA, Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) and NorthStar Learning Centers.

At RTB, we use a synthetics-free philosophy of farming, rooted in regenerative relationships and a mix of biodynamic, permaculture and nutrient-dense soil remineralization practices. We emphasize sustainability, natural relationships, ecological vibrancy and working in ways that mirror our mission of “valuing diversity, modeling nature and redefining wealth”.

Working alongside the Garden Manager & Manifest Love farm team in a daily capacity -- and in concert with our extended RTB team and volunteers -- this position will be involved with all aspects of growing agricultural produce at the farm. Duties may include: seed sowing, nursery care, soil preparation, transplanting, weeding and cultivation, perennial and tree care, greenhouse crops, harvesting, seed saving, propagation, food storage, food processing, and preparation (harvesting, washing, bagging) for distribution of Manifest Love food shares.

To a great degree, the above work will be performed outdoors (directly in the garden systems); however, this position may also include participation in shared community cooking, food preservation, monthly Open Farm Days, and occasional support of other farm projects as needed.

This work will be physically demanding and challenging, but also grounding, nourishing and rewarding. We aim for a 40-hour per week commitment, however natural variations in seasonal workload and conditions will require openness and flexibility around work hours in the high season, and some days may run longer than others.

QUALIFICATIONS 

As an organization that strives to value diversity in all that we do (it’s even part of our mission!), we take extra care and place extra value in continuing to diversify our team. 

Candidate preferences include the following: 

• Some agricultural production experience (apprenticeship/internship or relevant farming/gardening exposure), and a quick learner that demonstrates sufficient motivation

• Commitment to working in the scope of RTB’s mission (preference may be given to those who have an active interest in environmental and social justice issues pertaining to both local and global food systems)

• Desire to respect & care for the health of soil, plants, animals and humans

• Desire to participate in and build local, vibrant community

• Persevering work ethic and ability to complete directed tasks in a timely, efficient fashion

• Focused attention to detail and quality

• Personal maturity, mindful self-awareness, dependability and flexibility 

• Ability to work outdoors for long hours and in all kinds of conditions

• Ability to work both independently and in groups of diverse people

• Openness to communication, with the ability to accept direction and guidance and ask questions when unclear

• Proficiency in (or a willingness to learn) the use of certain tools/farm equipment (harvest knives, shovels, row covers, drip lines, cultivation tools)

• Ability to perform repetitive tasks such as hand weeding and bagging of certain crops

• Physical ability to lift 50 lbs.

• Open mind, open heart and an open palate… we will be eating well!

• Experience in a communal living situation for those who may be interested in potential RTB housing (optional and not guaranteed)

COMPENSATION 

• Hourly rate is $13.50- $15.00/hour plus seasonal benefits with potential for additional (optional) event time pay outside of normal work hours. Personal factors such as education and training, demonstrated hard & soft skills, and relevant work experience will all be evaluated.  

• Seasonal employee benefits include workers’ compensation, employee retirement plan, paid vacation & wellness days and paid holidays;

• Housing cannot be guaranteed at present, but may be available. Please inquire if interested;

• RTB supports healing, self-care and celebrations in a variety of ways, including bi-annual massages, use of RTB holistic medicinal practices (like herbal tinctures and our BioMat), team birthday celebrations and sporadic local beach excursions;

• Daily meals crafted from delicious, vibrant, farm produce (during work hours);

• Hands-on learning environment focused on all aspects of sustainable living;

• Buzzards Bay breezes and South Coast sunsets.

HOW TO APPLY 

Please complete the RTB Candidate Questionnaire (https://forms.gle/ngZUAhuRMaH61cZEA) and send a letter of interest telling us about yourself and detailing your motivations and qualifications for this position, along with a brief resume and two professional references by April 1, 2022. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. Also, please feel free to note in your application which pronouns you use (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc).

Please send materials via email (preferred) to info@roundthebendfarm.org or via snail mail at:

Round the Bend Farm (RTB)

92 Allens Neck Road

South Dartmouth, MA 02748

Attn:  Human Resources

*ROUND THE BEND FARM (RTB) IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER*

RTB values a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. RTB is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.