Agriculture Fellow 2022 | The Food Project

Who We Are
Youth. Food. Community. Three important issues that intersect in one place: The Food Project. Here, we believe that food is a unique vehicle for creating personal and social change. Nothing else ties us so intimately to each other and the planet we share, affecting our health, the climate, culture, and poverty and privilege around the globe. If we — young and old from all walks of life — can unite to change the food system, we can change the world. From our urban and suburban farms to our community education programs, we aim to do just that by bringing together youth and adults from diverse backgrounds who work together to build local and sustainable food systems.

Since 1991, The Food Project has built a national model of engaging young people in personal and social change through sustainable agriculture. Each year, we work with more than 120 teenagers and nearly 2,000 volunteers to farm on 70 acres in eastern Massachusetts in the towns and cities of Wenham, Lincoln, Boston, and Lynn. We consider our hallmark to be our focus on identifying and transforming a new generation of leaders by placing teens in unusually responsible roles, with deeply meaningful work. In addition, we help others grow their own food and provide training resources based on all we have learned.

What We Seek

The Food Project is seeking four Agriculture Fellows to work on our farms for the 2022 season. Our Boston position has been filled, so are we are seeking individuals who are able to access our Wenham and Lincoln farms. The Agriculture Fellows will partner with the Farm Manager and Grower’s Assistants to learn all aspects of production at our farm sites. The farms are intensively managed to produce over 200,000 pounds of produce each year, and the Agriculture Fellows will assist with completing farm tasks (planting, harvesting, weeding, etc.) and supporting youth during summer programming. This position is a mix of production, community, and youth engagement.

Core Responsibility:

Farm Work

Partner with the Grower’s Assistant(s) and Farm Manager to learn and accomplish all manner of farm tasks, with quality and efficiency, including composting, bed preparation, mulching, planting, cultivation, and harvest–all by hand, and site maintenance.
Partner with the Grower’s Assistant(s) and Farm Manager to learn about, implement, and troubleshoot new farm practices.

Youth Engagement

Seed Crew: Partner with the Grower’s Assistant(s) and Farm Manager to lead farm work with youth in The Food Project’s Seed Crew, an intensive six-week summer job for teenagers.
Root Crew: During July and August, partner with the Grower’s Assistant(s), Farm Manager, and Root Crew, our more experienced youth, to harvest, wash, and complete more advanced farm tasks.

Organizational Health

Participate in weekly 1:1 supervisory and Ag team meetings
Feedback Participation: Real Talk, circle process, etc.

Qualifications

This position is ideal for an individual who is interested in both sustainable agriculture and youth engagement. It is well-suited for someone who is ready to be part of an agriculture team. Our farms are run in partnership with youth and community members, therefore a candidate must have a passion for teaching and leading others, particularly young people.

Experience working in diverse settings are strongly preferred.

Able to perform labor-intensive agricultural tasks
Excellent interpersonal communication skills and energy for engaging with other people
Dependable, responsible, flexible, and open to learning
Ability to work a 40-hour schedule: Monday – Friday with a 1-hour break for lunch
18+ years of age
Enthusiasm for working with teenagers
Team-oriented with a good sense of humor; able to work independently.
CPR and First Aid certified or willingness to be trained

Able to pass a CORI/SORI background check

Location & Schedule

This is a seasonal 40-hour week position Monday- Friday in Lincoln, or Wenham MA. Employment will run from May 2nd- September 9th, 2022.

Compensation

The rate of pay is $16.00 per hour for a total of 35 paid hours per week.

Application Process

Please send resume and cover letter via email to: jobs@thefoodproject.org. In the subject line, write your name and the position for which you are applying with the region, e.g.: “Jordan Smith – Agriculture Fellow Wenham.”

We will review all submissions, identify viable candidates, and contact ONLY those individuals selected to continue in the application process (phone screening, interview with staff, interview with youth). Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

The Food Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to creating an inclusive organization. We actively seek a diverse pool of candidates for this position.