Biointensive Farmer

Location: The Jeavons Center, near Willits, CA

Start Date: September 2023

 

Job Description

Ecology Action is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization focused on sustainable small-scale agriculture, established in 1972, managed by Executive Director Dr. John Jeavons for over 51 years. We conduct research and produce publications and teaching resources designed to train farmer-leaders on a global scale, and to help individuals empower themselves to grow all their own food sustainably. Our work with the GROW BIOINTENSIVE method is already helping over 10 million of people around the world to end hunger and poverty, and to grow fertile soil at a rate up to 60 times faster than in nature.

We are seeking a full-time biointensive farmer to join the team at our long-term Biointensive research and demonstration mini-farm near Willits, CA. All work takes place onsite. This position is full time, and we are looking for people interested in making a long-term commitment to our work.

Our ideal farmer candidate:

• Passionate about gardening and learning the GROW BIOINTENSIVE method
• Reliable, self-motivated, and enjoys being part of a team
• Enjoys interacting with a diverse group of staff and international interns
• Has reliable transportation (we are located in the hills above the Willits valley on a well-maintained dirt road)
• Attitude: “If you want to predict the future, create it!” and “How can we do it."

Important Note: This is not a WWOOF position, or an opportunity to conduct experiments or explore other types of gardening. Our farmers focus on the GROW BIOINTENSIVE method while working onsite. No other agricultural methods are practiced at our site. To learn more about our work, please read the following:

• What is GROW BIOINTENSIVE?
• How GROW BIOINTENSIVE builds soil fertility up to 60 times faster than in nature
• PRI Article " Small farmers from around the world learn how they can grow far more food"
  

Farmer Duties & Responsibilities

Garden tasks and responsibilities: garden planning, bed preparation, planting, composting, weeding, watering, harvesting, data collection (yields and soil), record keeping, and assisting with farm data management.

Farmers work closely with Ecology Action’s farmer/teacher-trainer team, apprentices, interns, and occasionally members of the public participating in farm tours or workshops (up to 2 per year), and Ecology Action staff members.

Desired Qualifications

Education & Experience: You have a strong background in organic farming (at least 1-2 years practical experience) and are skilled at working the land. 

• Able to work within a farming structure with demonstration and research aspects, and may periodically involve working with the public in an educational role.
• Willing to learn and work exclusively with the GB method for the duration of your employment here.

Good interpersonal skills: You are self-motivated, solutions-oriented, and a team player.

• Flexibility, patience, a sense of humor, and respect and understanding for others, especially people from other cultures and countries.
• Cross-cultural experience a plus.

Strong communication skills: You speak fluent English.

• If you have a second language, particularly Spanish or French, that’s great!
• Ability to clearly convey information about garden activities to individuals or groups is useful.

Excellent organization and planning skills: You are orderly, have excellent attention to detail, are good at keeping track of data, and not afraid to take on special projects and build your skill set. This is a research site, and good data gathering is a priority.

• Ability to work with Microsoft Office applications—especially Excel; comfortable using Mac OS.
• Knowledge of data management systems a plus.

Interested in the work we do: You are excited to work in our sustainable farming community; to become an important part of our research and training programs; and to participate in continued training in biointensive farming.

• To ensure continuity of our research, we are looking for people who have the possibility of becoming long-term staff farmers.

Salary and Benefits

• $20/hour for 40 hours per week, with paid overtime during the busy season.
  
• Benefits package includes paid vacation, federal holidays, sick leave, medical/dental/vision benefit, and more (pro-rated depending on the number of hours worked; complete package description available during interview).  

Application Procedure

Please email an application letter and your resume including three professional references and three personal references to Ecology Action: johneavons[at]mac.com

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Come work with us and help grow a better tomorrow!  
—The Ecology Action Team