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. We also sell wholesale through our local cooperative distributor FEED Sonoma.

We seek to foster a positive, professional, and supportive work environment and hire team-oriented people who are passionate about farming and who have a with a strong work ethic. 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 before hire.

OPEN POSITIONS

Production Manager

Assistant Production ManageR

Field Crew

PRODUCTION MANAGER or

ASSISTANT PRODUCTION MANAGER

We are looking for someone to round-out our production team, either as an Assistant Production Manager or Production Manager. Both are dynamic positions for an experienced vegetable farmer to help lead the production of 8 acres of diversified vegetables, cut flowers, culinary herbs and strawberries.

This person will work closely with the owner to lead all production related tasks with a focus on tractor work, irrigation management, and weekly transplanting and mechanical cultivation tasks.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Tractor and equipment operation including taking fields from cover crop to finished beds, transplanting, harvesting, and mechanical cultivation

  • Routine maintenance and small repairs of farm tractors and implements (we hire a mechanic for the hard stuff)

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

  • Help train new hires in field production tasks

  • Help manage irrigation and Spring irrigation system set-up, repairs, and maintenance

  • Help create the weekly task lists and schedule for the crew in collaboration with our other managers

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

  • Participate in harvest (1 or 2 half-days a week of harvesting from June – November, 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 professional, supportive, and professional team environment

Ideal Candidates Will Have…

  • A minimum of 3 years experience in production vegetable farming (including at least 1 years of managerial experience)

  • A strong mechanical aptitude and experience operating tractors and farm implements or strong desire to learn

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

  • Experience managing irrigation systems

  • Supportive leadership and communication skills

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

  • The ability to be flexible and fill in where needed

Schedule & Compensation

  • $22 - $28 / hr (Pay rate and title commensurate with experience and training needed)

  • 30-40 hours/week from January through March and 40-45 hours/week from April through November

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

  • CSA share / access to all farm produce

  • Start date is flexible — anytime between October 1st, 2024 and March 1st, 2025

This position will involve a considerable training on our tools and systems. We’re looking for someone able to make a one-year minimum commitment with a strong interest in longer term employment.

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

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

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 and performing big greenhouse seedings and field plant-outs. June through October consists of 4 half-days of harvesting a week, washing & packing produce, lots of weeding, and more transplanting. 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.

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 all farm produce

  • 1 week paid vacation

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.