Hiring Manifest Love Farmer - South Dartmouth, MA

Round the Bend Farm (RTB), a Center for Restorative Community, is located in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts and is a 115-acre working farm and educational non-profit. Our non-profit mission: We are a living laboratory that cultivates, educates, and empowers people of all ages.  We are devoted to the global paradigm shift toward hope and abundance by valuing diversity, modeling nature, and redefining wealth.  RTB is seeking an experienced, passionate, and motivated individual to join our team as a full-time Farmer for our Manifest Love project. We are accepting applications until FEBRUARY 3, 2023.  Anticipated start date of employment is late March/early April 2023. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

As our ML Farmer, this position requires a highly motivated and energetic individual- someone who is passionate about RTB’s mission, local food systems, and plant-based foods.  This employee will work closely with our Manifest Love team in all aspects relating to vegetable production and land management for our Manifest Love project. The ML Farmer will be expected to keep farm work happening at an efficient pace.  It is expected that this employee will participate in the overall mission of RTB.  

Manifest Love - a collaboration between RTB, YWCA Southeastern MA, Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) and NorthStar Learning Centers - is a free weekly food share for approximately 100 families in New Bedford. Share contents are grown on approximately 3 acres at RTB and occasionally gleaned from nearby farms. 

At RTB, we use a synthetics-free farming philosophy, rooted in regenerative relationships and a mix of biodynamic, permaculture and soil remineralization practices. We emphasize sustainability, natural relationships, ecological vibrancy and working in ways that mirror our mission of valuing diversity, modeling nature and redefining wealth.  

Working alongside the Manifest Love farm team in a daily capacity -- and in concert with our extended RTB team and volunteers – this position will be involved with all aspects of growing & harvesting agricultural produce for our Manifest Love program.  Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:  seed sowing, greenhouse and nursery care, soil & field preparation, transplanting, weeding and cultivation, perennial and tree care, harvesting, seed saving, propagation, food storage, food processing, and preparation (harvesting, washing, bagging) for distribution of Manifest Love food shares. Winter tasks may include, but are not limited to: food processing, supporting education initiatives for the Manifest Love program, and various duties that support the multifaceted nature of our non-profit organization.  

While not a primary focus, this position will at times (when needed) act as a liaison with the RTB educational team to support in providing tours, demonstrations, direction and educational contexts for our agricultural work to visiting students and the general public. 

To a great degree, the above work will be performed outdoors (directly in the garden systems); however, this position may also include participation in shared community cooking, post-harvest processing & preservation, monthly Open Farm Days, and occasional support of other farm projects as needed. 

This work will be physically demanding and challenging, but also grounding, nourishing and rewarding. We aim for a 40-hour per week commitment, however natural variations in seasonal workload and conditions will require openness and flexibility around work hours in the high season, and some days may run longer than others. 

CANDIDATE PREFERENCES

As an organization that strives to value diversity in all that we do (it’s even part of our mission!), we take extra care and place extra value in continuing to diversify our team. 

Candidate preferences include the following: 

• Some agricultural production experience (apprenticeship/internship or relevant farming/ gardening exposure), or a quick learner that demonstrates sufficient motivation 

• Commitment to working in the scope of RTB’s mission (preference may be given to those who have an active interest in environmental and social justice issues pertaining to both local and global food systems). 

• Desire to respect & care for the health of soil, plants, animals and humans 

• Desire to participate in and build local, vibrant community 

• Persevering work ethic and ability to complete directed tasks in a timely, efficient fashion

• Focused attention to detail and quality 

• Personal maturity, mindful self-awareness, dependability and flexibility 

• Ability to work outdoors for long hours and in all kinds of conditions 

• Ability to work both independently and in groups 

• Openness to communication, with the ability to accept direction and guidance and ask questions when unclear 

• Comfort giving or relaying instructions to others (students, volunteers, teammates) when needed

• Proficiency in (or a willingness to learn) the use of certain tools/farm equipment (harvest knives, shovels, row covers, drip lines, cultivation tools) 

• Ability to perform repetitive tasks such as hand weeding and bagging of certain crops

• Physical ability to lift 50 lbs. 

• Open mind, open heart and an open palate… we will be eating well! 

• Experience in a communal living situation for those who may be interested in potential RTB housing (optional and not guaranteed) 

COMPENSATION

• Salary is $32,100.00 plus full-time benefits with potential for additional (optional) event-time pay outside of normal work hours;

• Full-time employee benefits include worker’s compensation, employee retirement plan, health insurance, life insurance, paid vacation days, wellness days and select holidays;

• Daily meals crafted from delicious, vibrant, farm produce (during work hours);

• RTB may provide room & board and internet access.  Housing may include a private place to sleep (in a tiny house) and a shared kitchen/dining/library space with laundry facilities available.  (Please note:  This job is not contingent upon living on the farm.  Additional responsibilities to contribute to the community are required if a candidate decides to live on the farm. Please inquire if you are interested.)

• RTB supports healing, self-care and celebrations in a variety of ways, including bi-annual massages, use of RTB holistic medicinal practices (like herbal tinctures and our BioMat), team birthday celebrations and sporadic local beach excursions;

• Hands-on learning environment focused on all aspects of sustainable living; 

• Buzzards Bay breezes, South Coast sunsets, and stargazing/moon views from goat rock.

HOW TO APPLY 

Please complete the RTB Candidate Questionnaire (https://forms.gle/FKqisZmitG9o4MhG8) and send a letter of interest telling us about yourself and detailing your motivations and qualifications for this position, along with a brief resume and two professional references by February 3, 2023. 

If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. Also, please feel free to note in your application which pronouns you prefer (For example – she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc). 

Please send materials via email (preferred) to heather@roundthebendfarm.org or via snail mail at: 

Round the Bend Farm (RTB) 

92 Allens Neck Road 

South Dartmouth, MA 02748 

Attn: Heather Zine

*ROUND THE BEND FARM (RTB) IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER*

RTB values a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. RTB is an equal opportunity employer. Employees will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.