Chickadee Creek Farm
Last Updated On: March 7th, 2024 at 07:00AM MST
Contact information
Farm Address:80 Titus Mill Rd
Pennington, New Jersey, 08534
Primary Contact: Jess Niederer
Primary Phone:
Type: Cell
Number: 6094623854
Email: chickadeecreekfarm@gmail.com
Website: http://www.chickadeecreekfarm.com
Website: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chickadee-Creek-Farm/123743710983912
Internship information
General Farm Description: "Chickadee Creek is a 20 acre certified organic vegetable, herb and cut flower farm. 17 acres are cultivated for vegetable production, with 1/4 acre in cut flowers, 3/4 acre used for Farm Member u-pick, with about 1 acre high tunnel space. We locally sell what we grow through our 1000 member CSA program (about 40% sales) and at 6 summer Farmers Markets(60%) and 4 winter Farmers Markets. Check out our website for the full farm story."CRAFT Member Farm? Yes
Internship Starts: rolling
Internship Ends: 11/19/2024 or later
Number of Internship Available: 3
Application Deadline: rolling
Minimum Length of Stay: full term
Internship Details:
Hiring for full time positions from April-Nov, with winter hours after November available. $16-$20/ hr depending on experience. Preference is given to applicants that are approaching farming as a possible career path. Full-time staff is expected to work approx 50 hours per week(five days). The most successful applicants will intend to remain with the farm for at least two seasons, and will have opportunity to have increased roles in management and planning with pay raises based on demonstrated ability.
Field crew: Two FT positions from (April 1st or when available) to November 19th positions, with year-round hours available for interested candidates. $16-$20/hour DOE
Tractor operator: One FT position from March 25th to November 19th, with year-round hours available if interested. $18-$24/hour DOE. All other field tasks are part of this position, plus ability to drive newer Kubota tractors, safely connect and disconnect 3 PH equipment, operate a loader bucket, and use older style Farmall tractors.
Past crew have gone on to be assistant farm managers, farm managers, small business owners, and farm business owners, or integral parts of our own awesome crew
To apply, please send an email stating your interest along with your resume and the contact information for two references.”
Educational Opportunities: "Chickadee Creek is entering its 15th successful season in 2024. The farm is always improving, with constant upgrades in infrastructure, equipment, and methods - an exciting and fast paced place to learn. Chickadee Creek founding farmer, Jess Niederer, was the recipient of the 2016 NJ Outstanding Young Farmer of the year award as well as the 2016 National Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year award. The pace set on the farm is efficient. Farm crew are involved in every aspect of the growing season in a hardworking yet educational, environment. This region on Central NJ has a rich sustainable agriculture community. We are friends and neighbors with multiple farms with intern programs, and welcome the exchange of information, experience, and farm tours with our neighbors. One farm tour per month is available during the work day without taking vacation time to attend. We actively participate in NJ CRAFT (Creating a Regional Alliance for Farmer Training). Jess is the NOFA-NJ facilitator of the New England Small Farm Institute class named Exploring the small farm dream. This class guides potential farmers through pre-enterprise planning. One-on-one guidance through the curriculum is offered as part of the apprenticeship. We usually do this with the whole crew in the fall after work hours."
Skills Desired: "Experience on a vegetable farm or other outdoor work is greatly desired. Enthusiasm, passion, can-do spirit, and proven ability to tough-it-out can substituted for that experience. Being able to lift 50 lbs, work fast, and keep up the pace in all weather conditions is required. Applicants must be in good health, fit, and be great learners. For farmers' market positions, excellent customers service skills are a must. "
Meals: "Crew are welcome to what we grow, and can also purchase our value added products(tomato sauce, salsa) at cost."
Stipend: "Hourly pay begins at $16/hr for the least experienced candidates. After one month of employment you are eligible for a 4% matching 401K retirement plan. Full time employees get one week paid leave per year. We have a profit-sharing/bonus structure and the lowest total hourly pay that any full time crew earned in 2023 was $17/hr. Read on for bonus explanation. Applicants with higher level experience begin at higher rates. Raises are given through the season if earned, and we give feedback to our crew members in one on one meeting 2x per year. Mid-year and year-end bonuses are calculated via a merit and tenure based system and awarded to full season crew. Profit sharing based on the gross sales of the farm are distributed twice annually through an extremely transparent system.
Housing: No
Preferred method of Contact: Email