We have a bunch of positions available for the 2024 growing season (descriptions below):
FULL TIME:
PART TIME:
Quick overview of the farm:
Wild Hill Farm is a vegetable CSA farm in Bloomfield, NY, a half hour drive from downtown Rochester, NY, and close to the beautiful Finger Lakes region. We are going into our 9th season, and feed hundreds of CSA families weekly, as well as offer U-Pick berries and host farm-related community events like barn dances. We use organic and regenerative practices, and keep 56 beautiful acres free of pesticides. We have been woman-led from the beginning and tend to be woman-powered although we don’t discriminate and welcome all genders! Erin, farm owner, has been farming in the area for over 14 years, and also started Mud Creek Farm and the EquiCenter Farm. Currently our scale & style is about 5 acres of veggie production, 4 tractors, minimal tillage, lots of cover crops, 30+ different crops, 5 full-time staff, volunteer participation, no spraying at all, and delicious sandy ground. We are constantly learning and improving our style to fit with the changing times and climate! We’d love you to join our dynamic crew and add your style and strengths to our little farm community.
More about us:
Wild Hill Farm CSA is based on principles of strengthening local community around healthy food, and practicing sustainable and ecological farming. We use fresh and beautiful produce to begin the conversation with people about agriculture, the environment, and climate change, educating consumers about food production realities and exposing them to the interconnectedness and cruciality of our planet’s ecosystems. Our choices and our participation matter, and we use healthy farm food as a kind of “gateway” to helping people understand more deeply the environmental crisis we face.
Many new CSA members are surprised at the unanticipated therapeutic and educational experiences their CSA farm offers them, for themselves and their families -- we say, “it’s about more than just the vegetables.” Some members feel that the best part of the Wild Hill Farm CSA experience is our U-Pick garden, a membership perk which includes pick-your-own flowers, herbs, cherry tomatoes, peas, beans, and more. We try to maintain our farm to be a beautiful and relaxing space, and we say “our farm is your farm.” People like to bring their children to U-Pick and volunteer on the farm as well. The farm is a friendly community gathering space.
Another thing you should know about Wild Hill Farm is that we are committed to being financially sustainable, aka farm income should support the farm and farmer completely, and workload should be personally sustainable, aka no burnout! These goals keep us on our feet, guiding us to make decisions every day to be the absolute most efficient in all the tasks we do on the farm. We think creatively and we work smart, we don’t just work hard. It is essential that you understand our motives for making the whole CSA farm system run smoothly, because farming is so fun it’s easy to get distracted by things that might be less important!
And at the end of the day, if you aren’t comfortable working through conflict in a mature and grown-up way please don’t apply. We take open communication seriously, try to know ourselves and look within ourselves, and be upfront about advocating for our needs, while being respectful to the rest of the team so we can all stay happy on a day to day basis at our jobs. We have no tolerance for unnecessary drama & taking things personally when there’s so much to get done! So if you’re ready to join our super fun stellar farm team, continue reading below.
FULL TIME POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR 2024:
2024 Team Leader / Farm Crew Supervisor
Full Time, 7am-4pm M-F, March 1 through Nov, ($20-$24/hr)
Job Description:
This is a physical job as well as a great chance to hone your leadership and farm management skills. You will lead our small crew, help train and supervise beginning farmers, supervise volunteers, and more. Working closely with Erin, farm manager, you will help foster a positive team attitude to accomplish our weekly goals on the farm. Timekeeping and attention to efficiency is crucial, as well as being flexible to be able to adjust on the fly when weather changes. You will mostly work together with the crew in group tasks but occasionally will need to split up to do independent work like tractor operations. You will need to be comfortable delegating tasks appropriately and holding folks accountable, and supervising closely to give positive and critical feedback.
The tasks you will regularly be doing are diverse. They include greenhouse production of transplants, planting, irrigation, row cover management for pest control, weeding, mulching, harvesting, washing, and possible operation of tractors and equipment (tillage, fertilization, cultivation, loader work). You must be available to occasionally stay late when there is something needing to be finished.
Qualifications:
2024 Farm Crew Member Position
Full Time, 7am-4pm M-F, March 1 through Nov 1 (Possible Part Time considered if experienced) ($15-$20/hr)
No experience necessary, although experienced farmer positions available too!
Job Description:
Full-time seasonal worker sought to participate in all aspects of growing high-quality vegetables using ecological practices for a 250-member CSA farm. Candidates must seriously be considering a career in farming. You will not just be a "worker" on this farm, but will learn a variety of different farm skills as the summer progresses, and be a part of a fun, dynamic, female-led team. Tasks include greenhouse production of transplants, planting, irrigation, row cover management for pest control, weeding, mulching, harvesting, washing, and possible operation and maintenance of tractors and equipment (tillage, cultivation, loader work). Many of these tasks involve opportunities to learn a variety of farm skills, and thorough training will be provided. Advanced equipment training and management positions possible in future years.
We work as a tight farm crew all summer, and good communication and social skills are vital! It is important to remember that no matter how simple, tedious, or insignificant a task may seem, everything we do is critical to the overall success of the farm. Focus and concentration on tasks is crucial. Farming is production work, quite a bit different from home vegetable gardening. With hundreds of families depending on us for their weekly groceries, speed and efficiency matter a lot. Of course, while you are learning it will take a while to get up to pace, but by the end of the season you will be a pro! We expect you to have a true dedication to improving your skills on a personally competitive level, and being attentive to quality as well as speed.
Every morning we get together and prioritize tasks, so it is crucial that you are on time. We use custom computer spreadsheets for crop planning that determine our planting schedule. Farm crew members will be exposed to and expected to completely perform all farm operations needed. Ultimately, if you would like to manage your own farm someday, we can provide you with enough experience and what you need to know to get started, especially if you stay with us for 2+ seasons.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for someone who has a passion for agriculture. You don't necessarily need to have tons of farm experience, but you need to be seriously considering a career in farming. Love of physical labor is essential, as is a love of being outdoors in all kinds of weather. You should be the type of person who is always looking for a better way to get a job done. You must be kind, respectful, and empathetic of others. Finally, you should love to laugh and have fun! Farm work can be physically demanding, so only those who enjoy hard work need apply. However, many hands make light work and on most difficult tasks we will all be working together. The more initiative you take and interest you show the more responsibility you will be entrusted with.
Qualifications:
Second-Year Opportunities - Leadership experience
We encourage you to come back for a second summer on the farm, to gain more experience, with a wage increase. Advanced skills include tractor work, management of greenhouse, planting, cultivation, harvest, supervision of volunteers and workers, etc. Many employees from the past report that it takes a full season to get exposure to the entire “big picture” of farming, and the second year you can really dive into becoming proficient and start to take a leadership role.
PART TIME POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR 2024:
2024 CSA Distribution Leader
Part Time (10-20hrs/week) - June 1 through Nov 1
($15/hr plus a free 2023 CSA half-share membership, access to our U-Pick garden, & programs/events on the farm)
***Must be available the following times June-Nov: Tues. 3pm-7pm & Sat. 8am-12pm***
Additional hours on Tuesdays and Fridays preferred to help farm crew with harvest and wash of veggies.
Job Description:
Wild Hill Farm is seeking a CSA Distribution Leader who will be responsible for carrying out the distribution of our veggies on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings from June through October. We are seeking an energetic, strong, friendly, and dependable crew member who is interested in a part-time seasonal position.
Background:
CSA is the heart of what we do here at Wild Hill Farm, and CSA membership fees provide over 90% of our income to run the farm. We grow organic vegetables for 220 CSA shares weekly (110 families picking up on Tuesday evenings, and 110 families picking up on Saturday mornings). Every CSA member picks up right at our barn, we do not deliver any shares. Many families pick up only every-other-week, so we have over 350 CSA member families participating. We count and weigh everything as we harvest it, and divide it up evenly amongst all our members. We wash the veggies and then immediately store them in our walk-in cooler where they can be kept super fresh.
CSA members pick up their shares from the barn, but we do not pack the shares for them. We ask members to bring their own reusable bags and choose their veggies from bulk bins on tables. We often have 8-12 different types of veggies at any one point. Signs on the bins explain limits for each member, so that we have enough for each member. We manage the inventory carefully to make sure that everyone gets enough of everything. Members are also invited to U-Pick whatever is available that day in the U-Pick fields, and we have a map and a list of items available.
Key Responsibilities:
2024 Summer Hoophouse Tomato Production
Part Time (16 hrs/week) - approx. June 1 through Sept 1 - flexible schedule
($15/hr plus a free 2023 CSA half-share membership, access to our U-Pick garden, & programs/events on the farm)
Job Description:
Wild Hill Farm is seeking someone who loves tomatoes, creating order out of chaos, focused solo work, and hot tropical temperatures! We have a 30x100’ hoophouse (otherwise known as a high tunnel / unheated greenhouse) full of tomatoes. We will plant them, and you will prune them, trellis them, and harvest them weekly throughout the summer! No experience necessary, we will train you in.
Key Responsibilities:
Qualifications:
2024 Farm Crew Member Part-Time Position
Part Time flexible & seasonal – with farm relevant experience only, ($15-$20/hr)
(See above description in the FT positions)
How do I apply?
PLEASE NOTE: Our usual hiring takes place in the fall for the following year. We like to plan ahead! You are encouraged to volunteer with us during the summer/fall to get to know us and the farm a little bit, and we'd be happy to do a formal interview with you in the fall! Please email if you have any questions. Thanks!
(If it's in the winter/spring we may still have positions open up from time to time so it's worth checking/interviewing with us, so you can be on our "first call" list if a position opens up.)
If you think Wild Hill Farm might be a good fit for you we invite you to apply. Please supply us with the following information as soon as possible. We just want to get a sense of where you are coming from and why you want to farm with us. If, after reviewing your information we think you might be a good fit we will contact you to set up a visit.
Thanks for your interest in Wild Hill Farm. We look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Erin Bullock, Wild Hill Farm
Contact:
Wild Hill Farm
Owner: Erin Bullock
Farm Location: 2176 Elton Rd. Bloomfield, NY
Farm Mailing Address: PO Box 103, Ionia, NY 14475
Email: erin.dandelion@gmail.com
Website: www.wildhillfarm.com
FULL TIME:
- Team Leader/ Crew Supervisor
- Farm Crew Member
PART TIME:
- CSA Distribution Leader
- Summer Hoophouse Tomato Production
- Farm Crew Member
Quick overview of the farm:
Wild Hill Farm is a vegetable CSA farm in Bloomfield, NY, a half hour drive from downtown Rochester, NY, and close to the beautiful Finger Lakes region. We are going into our 9th season, and feed hundreds of CSA families weekly, as well as offer U-Pick berries and host farm-related community events like barn dances. We use organic and regenerative practices, and keep 56 beautiful acres free of pesticides. We have been woman-led from the beginning and tend to be woman-powered although we don’t discriminate and welcome all genders! Erin, farm owner, has been farming in the area for over 14 years, and also started Mud Creek Farm and the EquiCenter Farm. Currently our scale & style is about 5 acres of veggie production, 4 tractors, minimal tillage, lots of cover crops, 30+ different crops, 5 full-time staff, volunteer participation, no spraying at all, and delicious sandy ground. We are constantly learning and improving our style to fit with the changing times and climate! We’d love you to join our dynamic crew and add your style and strengths to our little farm community.
More about us:
Wild Hill Farm CSA is based on principles of strengthening local community around healthy food, and practicing sustainable and ecological farming. We use fresh and beautiful produce to begin the conversation with people about agriculture, the environment, and climate change, educating consumers about food production realities and exposing them to the interconnectedness and cruciality of our planet’s ecosystems. Our choices and our participation matter, and we use healthy farm food as a kind of “gateway” to helping people understand more deeply the environmental crisis we face.
Many new CSA members are surprised at the unanticipated therapeutic and educational experiences their CSA farm offers them, for themselves and their families -- we say, “it’s about more than just the vegetables.” Some members feel that the best part of the Wild Hill Farm CSA experience is our U-Pick garden, a membership perk which includes pick-your-own flowers, herbs, cherry tomatoes, peas, beans, and more. We try to maintain our farm to be a beautiful and relaxing space, and we say “our farm is your farm.” People like to bring their children to U-Pick and volunteer on the farm as well. The farm is a friendly community gathering space.
Another thing you should know about Wild Hill Farm is that we are committed to being financially sustainable, aka farm income should support the farm and farmer completely, and workload should be personally sustainable, aka no burnout! These goals keep us on our feet, guiding us to make decisions every day to be the absolute most efficient in all the tasks we do on the farm. We think creatively and we work smart, we don’t just work hard. It is essential that you understand our motives for making the whole CSA farm system run smoothly, because farming is so fun it’s easy to get distracted by things that might be less important!
And at the end of the day, if you aren’t comfortable working through conflict in a mature and grown-up way please don’t apply. We take open communication seriously, try to know ourselves and look within ourselves, and be upfront about advocating for our needs, while being respectful to the rest of the team so we can all stay happy on a day to day basis at our jobs. We have no tolerance for unnecessary drama & taking things personally when there’s so much to get done! So if you’re ready to join our super fun stellar farm team, continue reading below.
FULL TIME POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR 2024:
2024 Team Leader / Farm Crew Supervisor
Full Time, 7am-4pm M-F, March 1 through Nov, ($20-$24/hr)
Job Description:
This is a physical job as well as a great chance to hone your leadership and farm management skills. You will lead our small crew, help train and supervise beginning farmers, supervise volunteers, and more. Working closely with Erin, farm manager, you will help foster a positive team attitude to accomplish our weekly goals on the farm. Timekeeping and attention to efficiency is crucial, as well as being flexible to be able to adjust on the fly when weather changes. You will mostly work together with the crew in group tasks but occasionally will need to split up to do independent work like tractor operations. You will need to be comfortable delegating tasks appropriately and holding folks accountable, and supervising closely to give positive and critical feedback.
The tasks you will regularly be doing are diverse. They include greenhouse production of transplants, planting, irrigation, row cover management for pest control, weeding, mulching, harvesting, washing, and possible operation of tractors and equipment (tillage, fertilization, cultivation, loader work). You must be available to occasionally stay late when there is something needing to be finished.
Qualifications:
- Must have at least 2 seasons of farming experience
- Some management or supervision experience
- Excellent communication and leadership skills
- Time management and organizational skills
- Tractor skills not necessary but willingness to learn and comfort working around machinery
- Enjoy working outdoors in all weather
- Ability to lift 50lbs, bend, lift, squat, and use your body
- Serious interest in farming as a career path
2024 Farm Crew Member Position
Full Time, 7am-4pm M-F, March 1 through Nov 1 (Possible Part Time considered if experienced) ($15-$20/hr)
No experience necessary, although experienced farmer positions available too!
Job Description:
Full-time seasonal worker sought to participate in all aspects of growing high-quality vegetables using ecological practices for a 250-member CSA farm. Candidates must seriously be considering a career in farming. You will not just be a "worker" on this farm, but will learn a variety of different farm skills as the summer progresses, and be a part of a fun, dynamic, female-led team. Tasks include greenhouse production of transplants, planting, irrigation, row cover management for pest control, weeding, mulching, harvesting, washing, and possible operation and maintenance of tractors and equipment (tillage, cultivation, loader work). Many of these tasks involve opportunities to learn a variety of farm skills, and thorough training will be provided. Advanced equipment training and management positions possible in future years.
We work as a tight farm crew all summer, and good communication and social skills are vital! It is important to remember that no matter how simple, tedious, or insignificant a task may seem, everything we do is critical to the overall success of the farm. Focus and concentration on tasks is crucial. Farming is production work, quite a bit different from home vegetable gardening. With hundreds of families depending on us for their weekly groceries, speed and efficiency matter a lot. Of course, while you are learning it will take a while to get up to pace, but by the end of the season you will be a pro! We expect you to have a true dedication to improving your skills on a personally competitive level, and being attentive to quality as well as speed.
Every morning we get together and prioritize tasks, so it is crucial that you are on time. We use custom computer spreadsheets for crop planning that determine our planting schedule. Farm crew members will be exposed to and expected to completely perform all farm operations needed. Ultimately, if you would like to manage your own farm someday, we can provide you with enough experience and what you need to know to get started, especially if you stay with us for 2+ seasons.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for someone who has a passion for agriculture. You don't necessarily need to have tons of farm experience, but you need to be seriously considering a career in farming. Love of physical labor is essential, as is a love of being outdoors in all kinds of weather. You should be the type of person who is always looking for a better way to get a job done. You must be kind, respectful, and empathetic of others. Finally, you should love to laugh and have fun! Farm work can be physically demanding, so only those who enjoy hard work need apply. However, many hands make light work and on most difficult tasks we will all be working together. The more initiative you take and interest you show the more responsibility you will be entrusted with.
Qualifications:
- Positive attitude and good communication skills
- Enjoy being part of a team
- Enjoy working outdoors in all weather
- Ability to lift 50lbs, bend, lift, squat, and use your body, having experience with a physically demanding job in the past is helpful
- Serious interest in farming, this is not just a job but a delve into a career possibility
Second-Year Opportunities - Leadership experience
We encourage you to come back for a second summer on the farm, to gain more experience, with a wage increase. Advanced skills include tractor work, management of greenhouse, planting, cultivation, harvest, supervision of volunteers and workers, etc. Many employees from the past report that it takes a full season to get exposure to the entire “big picture” of farming, and the second year you can really dive into becoming proficient and start to take a leadership role.
PART TIME POSITIONS AVAILABLE FOR 2024:
2024 CSA Distribution Leader
Part Time (10-20hrs/week) - June 1 through Nov 1
($15/hr plus a free 2023 CSA half-share membership, access to our U-Pick garden, & programs/events on the farm)
***Must be available the following times June-Nov: Tues. 3pm-7pm & Sat. 8am-12pm***
Additional hours on Tuesdays and Fridays preferred to help farm crew with harvest and wash of veggies.
Job Description:
Wild Hill Farm is seeking a CSA Distribution Leader who will be responsible for carrying out the distribution of our veggies on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings from June through October. We are seeking an energetic, strong, friendly, and dependable crew member who is interested in a part-time seasonal position.
Background:
CSA is the heart of what we do here at Wild Hill Farm, and CSA membership fees provide over 90% of our income to run the farm. We grow organic vegetables for 220 CSA shares weekly (110 families picking up on Tuesday evenings, and 110 families picking up on Saturday mornings). Every CSA member picks up right at our barn, we do not deliver any shares. Many families pick up only every-other-week, so we have over 350 CSA member families participating. We count and weigh everything as we harvest it, and divide it up evenly amongst all our members. We wash the veggies and then immediately store them in our walk-in cooler where they can be kept super fresh.
CSA members pick up their shares from the barn, but we do not pack the shares for them. We ask members to bring their own reusable bags and choose their veggies from bulk bins on tables. We often have 8-12 different types of veggies at any one point. Signs on the bins explain limits for each member, so that we have enough for each member. We manage the inventory carefully to make sure that everyone gets enough of everything. Members are also invited to U-Pick whatever is available that day in the U-Pick fields, and we have a map and a list of items available.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assist with all aspects of set-up in the barn for CSA distribution, and break-down at the end of your shift. Produce bins can sometimes be heavy, so you must be able to lift up to 45lbs and know how to lift safely using your core to avoid back injury. We have rolling carts, pallet jacks, and hand-trucks to assist you, but there is often a lot of upper body work involved with lifting heavy root vegetables onto tables.
- Keep produce bins well-stocked, fresh, and tidy throughout shift, paying attention to the quality of food we are offering to our members. We go for the “more-beautiful-than-Wegmans” look.
- Greet CSA members and answer questions as needed, creating a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.
- Help maintain an orderly barn environment that is clean and free of any obstructions.
- Manage produce inventory and make small changes in signage throughout the distribution to avoid running out of anything or having too much left over.
- Experience with or interest in organic vegetable production, farm stand sales and/or other custom service related work experience
- Great attention to detail and ability to work independently
- Ability to take direction and complete tasks in a timely manner
- Punctuality and dependability- arrive to work on time and come ready to work
- Proactive communicator & enjoy being part of a team
- Come prepared to work in varied weather conditions, in an unheated barn
- Ability to lift 45lbs repeatedly and work on your feet for several hours at a time
- Be available every week during the work shift times (occasional absences can be covered with advanced notice)
2024 Summer Hoophouse Tomato Production
Part Time (16 hrs/week) - approx. June 1 through Sept 1 - flexible schedule
($15/hr plus a free 2023 CSA half-share membership, access to our U-Pick garden, & programs/events on the farm)
Job Description:
Wild Hill Farm is seeking someone who loves tomatoes, creating order out of chaos, focused solo work, and hot tropical temperatures! We have a 30x100’ hoophouse (otherwise known as a high tunnel / unheated greenhouse) full of tomatoes. We will plant them, and you will prune them, trellis them, and harvest them weekly throughout the summer! No experience necessary, we will train you in.
Key Responsibilities:
- Weekly regular maintenance of tomato plants
- Pruning tomato plants
- Trellising and clipping tomato plants up strings attached to the overhead frame of the greenhouse
- Lifting and lowering vines (must be able to lift up to 40lbs)
- Greenhouse hygiene / sanitation
- Harvesting ripe tomatoes!
- Staying out of any other tomato plants which could carry disease (this means no growing tomatoes at home or going into other people’s gardens!) This is due to our no-spray organic practices
- Becoming an “expert” at understanding the ins and outs of tomato growth!
- You will most often be working alone
Qualifications:
- No experience necessary, we will train you!
- Quick fine motor skills and ability to use your hands repetitively
- Attention to detail as well as speed and efficiency
- You must love the heat, & be okay working in the heat
- Being able to lift up to 40lbs
- Good communication skills and enjoy being part of a team
- Dependability and dedication to continual improvement
2024 Farm Crew Member Part-Time Position
Part Time flexible & seasonal – with farm relevant experience only, ($15-$20/hr)
(See above description in the FT positions)
How do I apply?
PLEASE NOTE: Our usual hiring takes place in the fall for the following year. We like to plan ahead! You are encouraged to volunteer with us during the summer/fall to get to know us and the farm a little bit, and we'd be happy to do a formal interview with you in the fall! Please email if you have any questions. Thanks!
(If it's in the winter/spring we may still have positions open up from time to time so it's worth checking/interviewing with us, so you can be on our "first call" list if a position opens up.)
If you think Wild Hill Farm might be a good fit for you we invite you to apply. Please supply us with the following information as soon as possible. We just want to get a sense of where you are coming from and why you want to farm with us. If, after reviewing your information we think you might be a good fit we will contact you to set up a visit.
- Please email erin.dandelion@gmail.com with the following information:
- Tell us about yourself, your interests, your long-range plans, why you want to work on THIS farm.
- What position(s) are you interested in?
- What sort of physical shape are you in?
- Any special considerations we should know about (diet, health)?
- Do you have any previous related work experience?
- Tell us what you think of our program, our policies, and how you would fit into our farm.
- What are 3 of your strengths? What are 3 of your weaknesses?
- When would you be available? Any flexibility? Any vacations or limitations?
- Please include a resume.
- Please provide 3 references we can contact regarding your learning and work style.
Thanks for your interest in Wild Hill Farm. We look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Erin Bullock, Wild Hill Farm
Contact:
Wild Hill Farm
Owner: Erin Bullock
Farm Location: 2176 Elton Rd. Bloomfield, NY
Farm Mailing Address: PO Box 103, Ionia, NY 14475
Email: erin.dandelion@gmail.com
Website: www.wildhillfarm.com
Wild Hill Farm, PO Box 103, Ionia, NY 14475 * 585-455-1260 * erin.dandelion@gmail.com