At a Glance
- Tasks: Grow delicious, sustainable produce and flowers for our bakery and shops.
- Company: Flint Owl Farm, a no dig market garden near Lewes, East Sussex.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on experience, and a chance to work outdoors.
- Other info: Opportunity for creativity in crop selection and seasonal menu planning.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and make a real impact on local food culture.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in market gardening with a focus on organic and sustainable methods.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 30000 £ per year.
Flint Owl Farm is a 2 acre no dig market garden just outside Lewes, East Sussex. The garden was set up to provide a field to fork chain for our bakery kitchen at Flint Owl Bakery in Lewes. We grow vegetables, herbs and flowers without pesticides mainly for our production kitchen at the bakery and for retail at our 3 shops/cafes. Ideally mid-late September start but October possible. Full time but part time over winter.
Our focus is on heritage and unusual varieties and you will work with our head chef looking forward to seasonal menu planning. You will be encouraged to select varieties for flavour and culinary use as opposed to yield. We also grow (on a small scale) and sell cut flowers for our shops. The position will require constant communication with our kitchen and is an excellent opportunity to see how your produce is used and be a part of an amazing field to fork operation.
Required skills:
- Have experience with no dig, regenerative farming, organic or biodynamic methods of growing.
- Applicants will have more than 3 years practical growing experience in a market garden or similar small scale commercial farm.
- Have a genuine interest in a sustainable approach to the growing of food and flowers.
- The role requires a high level of planning and organisation.
- The role is physically demanding and involves outdoors work in all weathers.
- Be able to multi-task and demonstrate good organisational skills and work alone some days.
- You will require your own reliable transport, as public transport is extremely limited.
Responsibilities:
- Crop planning and selection of varieties for flavour
- Soil care and bed preparation
- Composting
- Green manures
- Wood chip paths
- Weed control
- Management of the crop lifecycle
- Propagation
- Planting
- Crop care
- Managing pests and diseases
- Harvesting
Salary depending on experience, 27-30k pro rata. Please send your application, with a work history or CV and a covering letter with any other relevant information to flintowlfarm@gmail.com
Senior Grower, market garden, Lewes, Sussex employer: Organic Growers Alliance
Flint Owl Farm is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and sustainable work environment, perfect for those passionate about regenerative farming. Located just outside Lewes, East Sussex, our market garden offers unique opportunities for personal and professional growth, allowing you to engage directly with our bakery kitchen and contribute to a meaningful field to fork operation. With a focus on heritage varieties and a commitment to organic practices, we provide a supportive culture that values innovation and encourages employees to take pride in their contributions to our community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Grower, market garden, Lewes, Sussex
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the farm! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Flint Owl Farm. Understand their values, what they grow, and how they operate. This will help you connect with them during your chat and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to talk about your experience, focus on your practical growing skills, especially with no dig and regenerative methods. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed crops or improved soil health in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to discuss your passion for sustainability. Since Flint Owl Farm is all about a sustainable approach to growing, be prepared to share your thoughts on why this matters to you and how you’ve implemented sustainable practices in your past work.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! Prepare some thoughtful questions about the farm's operations, seasonal menu planning, or their approach to crop selection. This shows that you’re engaged and eager to contribute to their mission. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Grower, market garden, Lewes, Sussex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Sustainable Farming:When writing your application, let us see your genuine interest in sustainable practices. Share your experiences with no dig or regenerative farming methods, and how they align with our mission at Flint Owl Farm.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences. We want to know about your practical growing experience and how it relates to the role of Senior Grower.
Be Organised and Clear:Since the role requires a high level of planning and organisation, ensure your application reflects that. Use clear headings, bullet points, and concise language to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. Make sure to include all necessary documents, like your work history or CV and a covering letter, to give us a complete picture of your background.
How to prepare for a job interview at Organic Growers Alliance
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of no dig and regenerative farming methods. Be ready to discuss your practical experience in growing heritage and unusual varieties, as well as how you’ve approached crop planning and soil care in the past.
✨Show Your Passion
Flint Owl Farm is all about sustainable practices, so let your genuine interest in organic and biodynamic methods shine through. Share specific examples of how you've implemented these practices in your previous roles and why they matter to you.
✨Be Organised
Since the role requires a high level of planning and organisation, come prepared with examples of how you've successfully managed multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment. Think about times when you had to juggle crop care, pest management, and harvesting all at once!
✨Communicate Effectively
As constant communication with the kitchen is key, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare to discuss how you would collaborate with the head chef on seasonal menu planning and how you can contribute to the field to fork operation.
