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Urban Farm Paid Apprentice (May 2022 – October 2022)

$15/ hour for 7-15 hours per week

 

Grow It Green Morristown is offering a paid opportunity in a densely populated local NJ neighborhood to train with an experienced sustainable farmer to see what it would be like to work in agriculture/ agroecology on a farm in the local area. It could be a first stop to learn skills that are usable for other career paths. Farming is a very rewarding career and may be a job that you didn’t think was in your skill set. However farming really is learning to take care of the land and could be for you! Learning to grow your own food is a skill that will last a lifetime and has great possibilities to be a career for many different types of people.

 

Applicants will work with the Director of Agriculture & Education to build these new set of skills. We have experience training people since 2015 in the field of agriculture. You will have the opportunity to participate in the operation of diversified field crops, soil and greenhouse production at the Urban Farm in Morristown. Applicants will learn about sustainable agriculture practices and pest management recommendations that care for the land, air and animals.  This Apprenticeship can also give you experience in time management, working with team members, physical labor, plumbing, mechanics, environmental sustainability and landscaping.

 

The idea that you need a large space to produce a lot of produce is no longer true. The Urban Farm is a one acre, four season farm that produces 30,000+ lbs of produce a year. Applicants will learn a unique set of skills that will empower them to see how an empty lot in their community can become a food hub for all.  Applicants may have the opportunity to be a part of programs at the farm that teach students about where their food comes from and the importance of eating healthy.    

 

The Farm Apprentices will be responsible for assisting in food production, and helping coordinate the distribution of produce to Grow It Green Morristown’s various constituencies. Applicants are encouraged to have an interest in growing food and food justice, have confidence in multitasking and be willing to work in varying outdoor conditions while having a willingness to learn new skills to fit our unique farm setting. 

 

Duties:

 

1. Assist with harvesting and vegetable production on a one acre farm.

2. Use sustainable farming practices that improve soil health and vegetable production.

3. Assist with preparation of produce for storage, sales and donation.

4. Assist with plant propagation and seed starting.

5. Learn about tending to a small flock of hens.

6. Follow and assist with all guidelines to ensure safety of staff and visitors.

7. Read or view materials as provided or directed to on farming topics.

           

Desired Knowledge and Qualifications:

 

Hands on physical labor is necessary- the rest of skills are desired however we are willing to train for right applicant:

1. A desire to learn about year round vegetable production

2. A desire to explore about how to start a farming business

3. A desire to learn trade skills, like carpentry, plumbing, small motor machines, and irrigation setups.

 

Qualified candidates are:

1. Dependable, organized, flexible and have a sense of humor

2. Personable and enjoy working with all kinds of people, including children and an ethnically diverse community

3. Able to work as a member of a team following all safety guidelines

4. Able to work independently, with minimal oversight, to practice what you have learned

5. Committed to learning about growing food

6. Able to lift heavy loads as part of team projects (such as soil, compost, rocks, etc.)

7. Willing to learn and share about experience at end of apprenticeship

8. Willing to figure out method to consistently get to the farm

 

Job Schedule & General Terms:

 

$15/ hour paid every 2 weeks

7-15 hours/ week

Tuesday & Thursdays are anticipated work days. A typical work schedule may be flexible dependent on applicant’s availability. High school diploma required. Senior adults in high school will be considered.

 

This paid apprenticeship is an outdoor job and requires the ability to work in a variety of weather conditions that would be very necessary for a farmer, including very cold, very rainy or snowy, and potentially warmer, humid weather.  On days where outdoor work is impossible or hazardous, apprentice may be asked to reschedule a workday.

 

This position ends in October with no written or implied continuance of employment after the completion of the apprenticeship. Positions with Grow It Green do not include benefits and no housing is available. The accrual of paid sick leave of 1 hour for every 30 hours of work completed up to a maximum of 40 hours in a 12 month calendar year may be used after the initial 120 days of employment. Applicant would need to commit to completing the apprenticeship in the timeline set forward.

 

Hourly rate is 100% funded by donations to us as a nonprofit organization in order to make this opportunity available. The goal of the apprenticeship is to provide a unique learning opportunity to help create a potential pathway for careers in agriculture and agroecology for persons from a historically marginalized background or a population underrepresented in agriculture.

 

Apply to jobs@growitgreenmorristown.org  with a cover letter and resume/CV. In your email, please include your availability. Interviews will be conducted by Farmer Shaun at Grow It Green Morristown. For more information about Grow It Green Morristown, and the program, please visit growitgreenmorristown.org and check us out on Instagram @gigmotown.

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High School Internship (Seasonal): (Late June-August for summer and Sept.-Nov.

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Grow It Green Morristown is seeking committed, hands-on high school interns to assist with the cultivation of produce and creation of sustainable, local food system based at the Urban Farm (31 Hazel Street in Morristown). This is a minimum wage ($13/ hour), part-time seasonal position, with work available from the last week in June through the first week in September for 11 hours per week. Our farm operates Monday through Saturday. During the internship, intern must typically work on Tuesdays and Thursdays (8 a.m. – noon) and Saturdays (9 a.m. to noon) each week. For applicants continuing in fall, weekday hours are in the afternoon. The deadline for applicants is Sunday, June 5, 2021. Earned Sick Leave policy- For every 30 hours, employee shall accrue 1 hour of earned sick leave up to a max. of 40 hours in the benefit year of Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, and is eligible to use this sick leave after the first 120 days of employment.

 

Our farm is approximately 1-acre and the community garden is made up of 94 garden plots. All of our growing practices follow organic recommendations and emphasize overall sustainability. We plant over 30 different varieties of vegetables and maximize our growing space using companion planting techniques and many rounds of succession planting using practices with diverse, indigenous roots that you will learn about and apply.

 

The Urban Farm Interns will be responsible for assisting in food production, soil management, harvest and preparation for the distribution of produce to Grow It Green Morristown’s various partners. Interns should desire to learn more about growing food and stewardship of land, as well as have a desire to be involved in intergenerational interactions with other volunteers, participants and customers. We are a community oriented nonprofit, as such we expect the intern to be involved in programs and events.

 

This job will require self-confidence and a professional attitude. We operate a Farm Stand each Saturday and grow 1000s of pounds of produce to provide to local residents, food banks and soup kitchens.

 

Duties include:

Hands on physical labor

Basic care, feeding, and tending of a large-scale vegetable garden

Using farm tools such as pruners, wheelbarrows, weeders, etc.

Must be able to lift heavy loads (such as soil, compost, rocks, etc.)

 

Applicants need to be:

Mature- Be prepared daily to work (water, sunscreen, lunch on Saturdays, appropriate attire)

Dependable, organized and flexible 

Able to be flexible due to weather constraints (i.e. severe weather may change the work schedule)

Personable and able to work with all kinds of people

Work as a member of a team

Strong work ethic

Ability to work independently, with minimal oversight once given instruction

 

Other considerations:

Must be a student enrolled in high school, or have just completed your senior year

Must be able to get to Urban Farm and Early Street Community Garden

Spanish fluency is a strong plus in consideration

On site portable restroom is available

 

This position is an outdoor job and requires the ability to work in a variety of weather conditions, including very hot, very rainy, and humid weather. On days where outdoor work is impossible due to severe weather, we will reschedule work hours for a different day of the week.

 

We will consider multiple applicants to cover our needs. On your application, please clearly state vacation dates you are not available to work. Availability throughout season will be an important factor as we need commitment for the summer months.

 

Please complete your application online. Direct questions to jobs@growitgreenmorristown.org This position directly reports to Farmer Shaun, Director of Agriculture & Education.

 

Application link: https://forms.gle/PoHEU1996Fttqz3s5

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Grow It Green Morristown is committed to actively providing a stigma-free environment for all staff, volunteers, customers, donors, Board members or anyone engaged with the organization.  As such all employees and Board members commit to a practice of inclusion, free from discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, color, religion, sex, gender (real or perceived), national origin, sexual orientation, transgender/transsexual identity, economic class, educational background, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, or status as a veteran or the status as formerly convicted/incarcerated person (collectively known as “Status Factors”).  We are committed to embracing a diverse community bringing people from different backgrounds in order to leverage their life experiences to create a better organization to achieve our mission.