At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead our vegetable production from crop planning to harvesting on a beautiful farm.
- Company: Join My Little Farm, a passionate team dedicated to regenerative farming in the South Downs.
- Benefits: Enjoy a full-time role with potential pay increases and a vibrant community atmosphere.
- Other info: Flexible hours and opportunities to work with volunteers of all ages.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting project, experiment with new techniques, and make a positive impact.
- Qualifications: Passion for farming, experience in market gardening, and strong people management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 31200 - 46800 £ per year.
We are looking for a senior grower to join our team as the Lead Vegetable Farmer. This is a unique opportunity to be part of building this exciting project from the start. You will be managing our vegetable production and working with our team on our beautiful farm in Streat, in the South Downs. You will be responsible for all aspects of our vegetable production operation, from crop planning to harvesting.
Key responsibilities include:
- Being responsible for all aspects of our vegetable production operation, from crop selection / crop planning, to cultivation, to harvesting
- Overseeing seed propagation operations in our greenhouses
- Bed preparation (weeding, topping with compost / manure, making natural preparations and amendments)
- General crop and bed maintenance (weeding, netting, covering, watering, pest management)
- Harvesting vegetables
- Packing boxes
- Produce management (managing excess produce, liaising with food products team)
- Managing the compost
- Occasionally helping with farm infrastructure building (eg. polytunnels, beds, greenhouses)
- Occasionally contributing to the animals or non-vegetable farming such as tree planting
- Creating crop plans (including rotation plans for our gardens to ensure year-round vegetable production)
- Planning growing calendars with scheduled sowing, planting, harvesting times
- Creating rotas and delegating work however needed / in your absence
- Being responsible for the work of the Assistant Grower(s)
- Managing online farmshop
- Buying supplies needed and placing orders (seed trays, seed compost, tools, equipment, seeds)
- Keeping a farm log
- Occasionally contributing to the farm update newsletter
- Manage annual budgets for vegetable growing production
- Building the community, interacting with members and facilitating volunteering work
Requirements:
- Passion for regenerative farming
- Extensive knowledge of vegetable farming in a market garden style (no dig, Richard Perkins and Jean Martin Fortier style)
- Experience working on a market garden type farm
- Willing to improve farming processes and experiment with new techniques
- Organisational and communication skills to ensure effective planning
- People management skills to manage a small team of staff and/or volunteers
- Dynamic, self-motivated and looking to take responsibility
- Natural ability for problem solving
- Flexibility with working hours, out of regular hours may be required
- Experienced with or willing to learn how to use farming machinery including tractors, rotator and hand-held machinery
- Capable of conducting physical work such as digging, carrying crates of vegetables
- Open-minded, flexible, adaptable to changes and willing to learn
- Aligned with My Little Farm's values and mission
- Natural ability with use of online platforms
Desired experience:
- Sound knowledge and practical experience of growing chemical-free regenerative vegetables from seed
- Experience working with volunteers of different ages such as families with children
- Experience of growing in polytunnels and throughout the seasons
- Experience with using market gardening tools (direct seeder, broadfork etc)
Role: organic / regenerative veg senior grower
Hours: 40 hours per week
Pay: £15 per hour, with possibility to increase as the business progresses
Start date: As soon as possible / before end of March 2024 the latest
Address: BN6 8RU
Senior Grower at My Little Farm, full-time in Leeds employer: Organic Growers Alliance
At My Little Farm, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation in the heart of the South Downs. As a Senior Grower, you will not only lead our vegetable production but also have the opportunity to shape the future of our farm, with ample room for personal and professional growth. Our commitment to regenerative farming practices, coupled with a supportive team environment and community engagement, makes this a truly rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Grower at My Little Farm, full-time in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with regenerative farming practices, especially the no-dig methods advocated by experts like Richard Perkins and Jean Martin Fortier. This knowledge will not only enhance your understanding but also demonstrate your commitment to the farm's values during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with local farmers and agricultural communities in the South Downs area. Building relationships can provide insights into the local farming scene and may even lead to recommendations or referrals that could strengthen your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your people management skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully led teams or worked with volunteers in previous roles. Being able to discuss your leadership style and experiences will be crucial in demonstrating your fit for this position.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss innovative farming techniques you’ve experimented with in the past. Highlighting your willingness to improve processes and adapt to new methods will resonate well with the hiring team at My Little Farm.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Grower at My Little Farm, full-time in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in vegetable farming, particularly in market garden styles. Emphasise any leadership roles or team management experience, as this position requires overseeing a small team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for regenerative farming and your alignment with My Little Farm's values. Include specific examples of your experience with crop planning, cultivation, and managing volunteers.
Highlight Relevant Skills:In your application, clearly outline your organisational and communication skills. Mention any experience with farming machinery and your ability to adapt to new techniques, as these are key requirements for the role.
Show Enthusiasm for the Role:Express your excitement about the opportunity to build a project from the start. Mention how you can contribute to the community aspect of the farm and your willingness to engage with volunteers and customers.
How to prepare for a job interview at Organic Growers Alliance
✨Show Your Passion for Regenerative Farming
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for regenerative farming during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've implemented sustainable practices in your previous roles, and discuss why this approach is important to you.
✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of Market Gardening
Be prepared to discuss your extensive knowledge of vegetable farming, particularly in a market garden style. Highlight any experience you have with no-dig methods or techniques from experts like Richard Perkins and Jean Martin Fortier.
✨Highlight Your People Management Skills
Since you'll be managing a small team and volunteers, it's crucial to showcase your people management skills. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams in the past, and how you plan to foster a positive working environment.
✨Prepare for Practical Questions
Expect practical questions related to crop planning, pest management, and harvesting techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of these areas and be ready to discuss how you would handle various scenarios on the farm.
