Find your place in the field of good food

Seasonal Assistant Grower

Down Farm
Down Farm, Winkleigh EX19 8DN

Posted: 12/01/2021

Deadline: 31/01/2021

Compensation: £10 per hour

Paid Part-time Flexible hours Fixed term / contract

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Job description

Down Farm Seasonal Assistant Grower

• Duration: 8 months, March – October 2021 (currently parental cover, but may be a longer-term role for the right candidate)
• Start date: we are flexible, but ideally end Feb/beginning March
• Hours: 3 days/week (with possibility of increasing)
• Location: Down Farm, Winkleigh, EX19 8DN
• Salary: £10/hour on PAYE
• Holiday: Paid on top of your monthly wages
• Applications: CV and cover letter
• Website: www.down-farm.com
• Instagram: @downfarmwinkleigh
• Accommodation: No onsite accommodation currently available but could accommodate employee’s van/caravan.
• Location: Down Farm, Winkleigh, Devon, EX19 8DN

About Down Farm

Down Farm is an organic market garden based just outside of Winkleigh, Devon. Olivia James and Henry Allison set up the business in 2016 on Henry’s family farm, using a quarter of an acre to grow veg and sell locally. Now we grow veg, salad, herbs and flowers (with help from part-time staff) on one acre and sell through our online shop, a veg box scheme, two farmers’ markets and to a few local restaurants. Down Farm grows a range of veg throughout the year outside and in polytunnels without big machinery. The growing system is designed in a way that will be the most beneficial to the ecosystem by using organic principles and minimum tillage. We enjoy being part of the wider agroecological growing community and are members of the Landworkers’ Alliance and Organic Growers Alliance.

Role overview

We are looking for an assistant grower to join our small and friendly team helping us to grow our produce to sell in our community. Currently we are looking for seasonal parental cover, but for the right candidate, this may be an on-going longer-term position.

The role will be an opportunity for someone who wants to take the next step in their growing career. You will have the chance to work growing produce using no-dig and min-till styles, using hand tools and a BCS (walk behind tractor). The ideal candidate would want to get involved with the whole Down Farm operation including growing, propagation, harvesting, going to market, packing veg boxes, flower growing and more.

Specific responsibilities

The role will be working in the market garden with the grower team:

• Sowing seeds
• Bed preparation
• Planting
• Watering
• Weeding
• Harvesting and washing produce
• Packing veg for orders
• Preparing for farmers’ market
• Going to farmers’ market and selling veg

The role does not have to be limited to the above tasks, and it can develop to suit skills and interests.

Personal specification

We hope to employ someone with the following:

• Experience in commercial growing (we would consider someone with gardening experience)
• Passion for sustainable and local food production and the environment
• Willingness to work outdoors in all weathers!
• Ability to work in a team and on your own
• Good at problem solving
• Ability to multitask and prioritise
• Working to tight deadlines
• Good communication and listening skills
• Positive attitude and a willingness to learn
• Eye for detail and want to work efficiently and effectively
• Full driving license
• Commitment to agroecological farming and alternative food systems

Application information

Please send your CV (2 pages max) and a covering letter (2 pages max) or a short video (5 mins max) to Liv and Henry, hello@down-farm.com telling us about yourself, why you want to work at Down Farm, and what you could bring to the team.

Application deadline: 31st January 2021

However, the sooner the better as we are looking to secure someone for the role!

Please get in touch if you want to know more about us, the farm or have any other questions! Please visit our website for more info about us and the farm: www.down-farm.com.

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