Farm2Marker Farmer

Alameda Point Collaborative, Inc. • Alameda, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Alameda Point Collaborative (APC) is the largest supportive housing community in the county, working to end homelessness by providing housing and services to create communities where formerly homeless families and individuals can flourish.

Farm2Market is a 2-acre diversified working farm that produces thousands of pounds of produce each year. We grow a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and flowers using sustainable and organic farming practices with no pesticides or chemical fertilizers. We are a social enterprise of Alameda Point Collaborative and use all of our resources to help families and adults break the cycle of homelessness and poverty by providing food security resources and programming to our residents.

We offer workforce development programs for youth residents (ages 14-17) in the spring, summer and fall as well as an after-school program with our children and youth services team. The farm operates a CSA business and free food distribution program available to residents of APC in collaboration with the Alameda County Community Food Bank.

Requirements

• Strong interest and enthusiasm in farming and experience with the basic processes of growing vegetables and fruits, including planting, transplanting, crop maintenance, watering, weeding, irrigation, land management, etc
• Ability to connect and build trust with our APC residents, as well as coworkers and partner organizations, including strong sensitivity to the challenges related to transitioning from homelessness to stable housing and employment
• Ability to communicate clearly and directly, and adjust communication style to best fit different situations
• Ability to follow direction and accomplish tasks independently and as part of a small team
• Ability to think critically, adapt in a flexible environment, anticipate needs, prioritize, and take appropriate actions
• Ability to connect with youth directly through relationship building in programs and drop in visits
• Ability to connect with adult residents and visitors directly in a welcoming, supportive and professional way through programs and drop in visits
• Ability to work in a nonprofit professional setting and follow APC policies and procedures
• Must be able to perform physical labor related to farm production activities everyday - lift up to 30-50 pounds, bend, reach, squat, use farm tools, etc.
• Experience working in farm production for at least one full year
• Must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions everyday (paid days off given during heavy inclement weather at discretion of F2M Manager)
• Ability and willingness to function independently and as a member of a team
• Ability to maintain role boundaries while working cooperatively with administrators, service staff, residents, volunteers and youth
• Excellence with time management and organization of tasks and resources
• Verifiable ability to and willingness to adhere to organizational policies and procedures
• Must be available to work 4 days a week - 9am-5pm Tuesday-Friday

Nice To Haves

• Experience/interest in regenerative agriculture
• Experience/interest in fruit tree management
• Experience/interest in operating farm machinery and power tools such as rototiller, weed whackers, drills, saws, etc.
• Experience/interest in building and construction trades

Responsibilities

• Complete farm tasks according to operations
• Share in the daily and annual upkeep of the farm encompassing a range of agricultural tasks, including planting, weeding, fertilizing, harvesting, watering, pest management, greenhouse care, infrastructure maintenance, etc.
• Share responsibility for meeting production commitments for a 35 member CSA, regardless of the crew size or composition
• Follow direction and training on specific methods according to F2M Manager and F2M Assistant Manager direction
• Lead farm projects in collaboration with Manager, Assistant Manager and other Farm Crew
• Work with volunteers, interns and youth to provide orientation and description of tasks to ensure quality of work in alignment with farm operations and processes
• Work in collaboration with farm staff to welcome and engage residents and youth at the farm
• Participate in resident food distribution program including packing and delivering weekly grocery bags, weekly shopping appointments at food bank, sorting and stocking food pantry, and resident engagement
• Participate in weekly after school program with youth from APC Ed Center
• Participate in Workforce Development Program with high school aged youth in spring, summer and fall sessions
• Attend regular meetings, including monthly supervisor check in, team meetings, monthly APC staff meeting, and any other working group meetings
• Submit timecards, receipts, time off requests, etc. in appropriate timeframe

Benefits

• Opportunities for professional development and growth within the organization.
• 100% employer-paid medical premiums for employees working 30+ hours per week; 50% employer-paid premiums for employees working fewer than 30 hours per week.
• Employer-provided $50,000 Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability coverage for employees working 30+ hours per week.
• 17 observed holidays annually.
• Paid time off includes 4 floating holiday hours, up to 72 hours of sick time accrual, and vacation starting at 40 hours annually, increasing with tenure.
• Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for additional support services.
• Free AC Transit EasyPass for local public transportation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed