Context of the Position
Members of the farm crew will work at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Clagett Farm, which is located just a few miles east of the D.C. Beltway in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. At Clagett Farm, we raise grass-fed beef cattle, native trees for stream restoration, organic produce and Christmas trees. Farm laborers will work primarily on the vegetable operation, which is a joint project with the Capital Area Food Bank. Every week for 6 months, we distribute about half of our produce to low-income families, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and food pantries. We sell the other half to our 250 members through a marketing system called Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA). We rely on help from a large number of volunteers and people who work for produce.
Essential Functions
Farm laborers will assist the Vegetable Production Manager in all aspects of farming, from greenhouses to the field, to harvest and distribution. Activities vary continuously but the work can be difficult and strenuous under hot and humid conditions.
Over the course of crew members’ first year, we train them to lead volunteers and organize busy harvest and distribution days. We also orient them to our overall crop plans and decision-making and offer basic lessons on driving the tractors and other heavy equipment to those that need it. In successive years, we offer crew members more tractor experience and opportunities to take charge of some aspects of the farm’s operations, according to their interests.
Professional Experience and Qualifications
No experience is necessary, but we are looking for enthusiastic individuals who take joy in hard work, and who are committed to social justice and sustainable agriculture. The successful candidate must possess the ability to lift a maximum of 50 lbs and be able to work most Saturdays. Housing is not provided. Starting wage is $11.50/hour.
Please apply directly to the link on the job posting:
https://www.cbf.org/about-cbf/jobs-internships/jobs/farm-laborers.html
