2024 Seasonal Crew Members – Forge Hill Forms

Last Updated On: February 7th, 2024 at 10:03AM MST

Contact information
Farm Address:
404 Creek Road
Downingtown, Pennsylvania, 19335

Primary Contact: Jennifer Simpson
Secondary Contact: Jacob Zuklic

Primary Phone:
    Type: Cell
    Number: 6107242413
    Email: info@forgehillfarms.com

Secondary Phone
    Type: Cell
    Number: 708-203-2460
    Email: jacob@forgehillfarms.com

    Email: jacob@forgehillfarms.com

Website: https://forgehillfarms.com/

Internship information
General Farm Description: Forge Hill Farms is a 120-member, family-owned veggie CSA, utilizing organic growing practices. We operate an on-site farm store that offers our own honey, eggs and lamb, our sister company’s meat products, and other aggregate food products. We partner with local institutions like the Vanguard school to provide critical vocational and job skills training. The farm is currently in an exciting moment of growth, and we are open to the skills and ideas new staff may bring. We seek to work diligently and efficiently and make the work fun while contributing to an inspiring project.

CRAFT Member Farm? No

Internship Starts: May 2024
Internship Ends: Open
Number of Internship Available: 2
Application Deadline: April 2024
Minimum Length of Stay: One Season

Internship Details:

We are seeking a motivated Seasonal Crew Members for the 2024 growing season. This role will join the Farm Manager, Assistant Farm Manager, and one to two other crew members in the daily work of vegetable production. Working with the sheep, chickens, and bees may be included, but vegetable production will be the primary task. Efficiency and economy of movement in daily work is critical. We also want to have fun and ensure both staff and customers have a good experience.

 

Hours:

  • This position is seasonal, and we are open to flexible start dates.
  • Ideally, the full-time position will include approximately 40 hours per week Monday-Friday beginning by mid-May and ending early October (some optional Saturday hours a possibility).
  • The part-time positions will include approximately 24 hours/3 days per week, Monday-Friday beginning by mid-May and ending early October (some optional Saturday hours a possibility).
  • Given the nature of farm work, some seasonal flexibility must be expected. This may mean fewer hours in the tail ends of the season and more hours in the summer and making sure critical tasks are accomplished before clocking out. We do try to avoid excessive hours. We welcome college students and those with other seasonal schedules to apply.

Experience Required:

  • One year of any farming experience is preferred and prior vegetable production experience is highly desirable.

Pay and Benefits:

  • Hourly wage based on experience level starting at $15/hour.
  • Simple IRA: 3% employer match
  • Access to weekly half size share
  • 10% discount on farm store items

 

Description of duties:

  • Vegetable Production and Garden Maintenance (sowing cell trays in the greenhouse; hand transplanting seedling plugs; routine mechanical cultivation using wheel hoes, stirrup hoes, etc.; deploying tarps, row cover, and insect netting; occasional hand weeding; push mowing; weed whacking; UTV operation; etc.)
  • Harvesting (processing, washing, weighing, and packaging of vegetables)
  • Opportunities for tractor/walk-behind tractor may be available for the right candidate.
  • Assist with other farm related duties (cleaning equipment and facilities, care for sheep and
  • chickens)
  • Opportunities to assist with our pickup days (when customers visit the farm to pick up vegetables) may be available but will be strictly optional.
  • You will receive training (to varying degrees of formality) on details or tasks that you may be unfamiliar with. The farm manager will always be available to clarify instructions and assist you if you have questions.

Position requirements:

  • Attention to detail.
  • Efficiency and economy of movement is absolutely critical to the farm’s success.
  • Physically fit. Farming is very physically demanding. Bending at the waist, kneeling for long periods of time, lifting, and hauling heavy stuff in all weather conditions, using power tools (especially the weedwhacker) is necessary daily.
  • Willingness to do physically demanding tasks and maintain a brisk pace in all weather conditions.
  • Ability to lift 30 lbs. frequently and 50 lbs. occasionally.
  • Willingness to maintain positive interactions with our CSA and farm store customers and other staff, and generally be a part of a fun season.
  • Experience running small power equipment preferred (push mower, weed whacker, leaf blower, UTV, etc.)

Educational Opportunities: Farm Manager will provide necessary training and offer additional guidance as desired.

Skills Desired: See Description

Meals: Access to weekly half-size vegetable share provided and 10% discount on all farm store products.

Stipend: Hourly, starting at $15/hour

Housing: No

Preferred method of Contact: Email

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