FARM & PROPERTY ASSOCIATE JOB DESCRIPTION
STATUS: Seasonal, Hourly, Full-Time
SALARY RANGE: $15-$18/hr, eligible for OT
LOCATION: Brewster, NY REPORTS TO: Director of Agriculture
SPACE on Ryder Farm, a working organic farm and nonprofit residency program, seeks a capable individual to join our team for the 2024 season. SPACE serves a farmstand with a diverse offering of vegetables, flowers, and herbs, works with our Resident Chefs to create farm-to-table daily meals for all our residents, and steward Ryder Farmʼs 127 acres. The Farm & Property Associate will work with the farm team to support agricultural operations and to fulfill day to day property upkeep for the farm and residency.
Regular Responsibilities will include:
● Seed Sowing, planting, and watering
● Assisting in weekly farm stand set up and break down
● Harvesting and washing produce while maintaining the highest standards of quality and food safety in the post-harvest wash and pack
● Light landscaping and groundskeeping, transportation of trash to dumpsters
● Triaging facility requests from the residency
● Perform or coordinate maintenance, repair and installation jobs with in-house staff or service vendors
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
● Has previous experience working on organic farms or market gardens.
● Has some background with 2 and 4-stroke power equipment and tractor operation
● Is self-motivated to work quickly and efficiently, either alone or in a group, whether the task at hand is time-sensitive or monotonous
● Feels motivated and enthusiastic for an opportunity to expand their aptitude of practical farming skills and to work collaboratively in developing this operationʼs growing methods, systems, values, and future vision.
● Possesses basic building and carpentry skills
● Has the ability to think creatively and solve problems
● Has a willingness to seek guidance as needed
● Possesses direct and healthy communication skills with managers and other team members, a willingness to receive feedback and comfort with asking questions
● Respects a space that honors and uplis all team members
MORE ABOUT THE POSITION AND ORGANIZATION
SPACE on Ryder Farm is a nonprofit residency program and organic farm located on the grounds of a 227-year old family homestead in Putnam County, New York, an hour and a half north of New York City. SPACEʼs mission is to create an environment singular in its ability to invigorate artists and innovators and their work, and to contribute to the sustainability and resourceful preservation of one of the oldest organic family farms on the East Coast. SPACE is open to the public and all staff engage with people with various levels of exposure to agriculture on an almost daily basis including, but not limited to: farmstand customers , artist and activist residents and members of the public of all ages. The Farmer should be comfortable interacting and engaging with the public.
Most days the Farmer will be working alongside the Director of Agriculture, but other days will require more independence with greenhouse work and general farm maintenance. Responsibilities will include greenhouse watering and seeding, harvesting, washing and packing, cultivation, weeding and maintaining the Farmscape. Many of these tasks involve opportunities to learn a variety of farm skills, and thorough training will be provided.
Applicants must have a valid driverʼs license, reliable transportation and the ability to li at least 50 lbs. Additionally the Farmer should have the resiliency to work outside in all reasonable conditions (heat, rain, cold, snow, etc.).
This position is responsible for their own reliable transportation to and from the farm, and appropriate farm clothes/rain gear. This is an hourly position, and the rate is $15-18/hr, commensurate with experience. SPACEʼs values are equity, inclusion, support and radical hospitality. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment. As an equal opportunity employer we are committed to employment practices that ensure employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position. SPACE strongly encourages individuals from marginalized and underrepresented groups to apply. SPACE on Ryder Farm is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.