FARM & FARM EDUCATION JOBS
(scroll further down for separate Apprenticeship info)
Background
Live Earth Farm (LEF), established in 1996, is a 100 acre diversified, organic, family farm overlooking the Pajaro Valley in the Santa Cruz area of California. We offer a year round CSA with over 850 members during the regular season. We grow 50 different fruits and vegetables ranging from perennial fruit trees to a wide variety of annual crops. We sell our produce at five area farmer's markets and through our CSA program.
Education has always been a part of Live Earth Farm since its beginning, but in 2007 a separate non-profit entity, the Live Earth Farm Discovery Program (LEFDP) was formally established to compliment and expand the educational programs at Live Earth Farm. We now host more than 1000 children on the farm each year for farm-based, hands-on learning opportunities in a variety of formats.
Currently Available Jobs
LEFDP Education Programs Coordinator
Interested in getting involved with a growing farm-based education non-profit organization? Click "Reveal/Hide the details" for a complete job description and application instructions. [12/27/11: this position has been filled.]
Full Job Title
Education Program Coordinator for the Live Earth Farm Discovery Program (LEFDP), a Farm-Based Education Not for Profit Organization
Description
LEFDP's education programs include, but are not limited to: a weekly visit by 7th and 8th grade Montessori students, half day farm tours for students of all ages, once monthly home schooling family visits, and a diversity of community farm days.
This position will involve filling in for our Education Director while on maternity leave, then assisting her in running LEFDP upon her return. Some of the tasks involved will be leading farm tours and ongoing farm education programs, office work such as scheduling farm tours, promoting educational programs, planning educational events, processing deposits and payments, and data entry, and oversight, maintenance and care of the education garden and fields.
Qualifications
The right person for this position will be able to demonstrate experience and theoretical knowledge in organic and sustainable agriculture and food production systems education, as well as office skills and be looking for a long term commitment. Ideally, you will have worked an entire season on a farm or garden education project and be bilingual in Spanish. This is a position of responsibility with our growing not for profit organization, for which we expect you to arrive with a good work ethic and a positive attitude. This is a position for someone seriously interested in sustainable farming, food, and community education, as well as non profit administration. Bachelor's Degree or higher in Environmental Education, Sustainable Agriculture or other related degree required.
Duration
We ask that you arrive on the farm by January 10, 2012. This will give our Education Director an opportunity to train you before her leave begins in February. This is a long term position and we are looking for someone who wants to grow with our non profit over the years. Please do not apply if you can not make at least a 2-3 year commitment.
Hours
40+ hours per week, 8:30-4:30 and some weekends, with some flexibility
Compensation
$24,000-$31,000 a year, commensurate with experience.
A private yurt and communal living area and kitchen are available for rent for $400/mo. We strongly encourage living on site, due to the nature of the work. In addition, the farm will provide produce, and goat's milk as available.
Application Procedure
Please download and fill out this application (Word document), and then e-mail it along with a resume and a cover letter describing your interests and why you would like to work for the Live Earth Farm Discovery Program to:
Jessica Ridgeway: LEFeducation@baymoon.com
Questions? Call Jessica at (831) 728-2032
Full-Time Organic Farm and Garden Assistant for LEFDP -and- LEF
How about a job caring for animals and working the land for both a farm and a farm-based educational non-profit? Click "Reveal/Hide the Details" for a complete job description and application instructions. [12/27/11: this position has been filled.]
Full Job Title
Full Time Organic Farm and Garden Assistant for the Live Earth Farm Discovery Program and Live Earth Farm
Description
The Farm and Garden Assistant will manage the education garden, and small milking goat herd. Farm work will include greenhouse management and propagation, assisting in pasture raised chicken operation, care of perennial and annual crops within our larger organic farm, as well as weekend chores every other weekend. The person in this position will plan collaboratively with education and farm staff, as well as be responsible for daily decision-making.
Qualifications
Prior experience in organic farming and gardening is required, experience on a tractor is desired. Applicant must have experience driving large vehicles and stick shift. This is an opportunity for those intending to pursue farming or farm or garden based education as a career path. It is a chance to hone your organic farming and gardening skills. Comfort communicating in Spanish is necessary. We expect you to arrive with a good work ethic and a positive attitude. Please be aware that farming is hard work and we require a full season commitment, with the potential for a multi year position.
Duration
We ask that you arrive on the farm by February. This gives LEFDP's Education Director, and Farmer Tom an opportunity to work with and train you before the busiest part of the season begins. We are most interested in hiring someone willing to make a long term, multi-year commitment. The minimum contract for the position will last through mid November to complete and support the Discovery Program and Live Earth Farm season.
Hours
40+ hrs/wk or as long as it takes:
<> 20 hours per week for the Discovery Program, 8-1 Monday through Thursday, and
<> 20+ hours per week for Live Earth Farm, afternoons, Fridays, and every other weekend
Compensation
Compensation for this position is divided between LEFDP and LEF as follows:
<> From the Discovery Program: A private yurt and communal kitchen and bath facility as well as a stipend of $200 per month
<> From Live Earth Farm: minimum wage
Application Procedure
Please download and fill out this application (Word document), and then e-mail it along with a resume and a cover letter describing your interests and why you would like to work for the Live Earth Farm Discovery Program and Live Earth Farm to:
Jessica Ridgeway: LEFeducation@baymoon.com
Questions? Call Jessica at (831) 728-2032
FARM & FARM EDUCATION APPRENTICESHIPS
Apprenticeship positions at Live Earth Farm are extremely limited --
For inquiries about farm positions or learning opportunities, please contact Farmer Tom at thomas@baymoon.com.
For inquiries about education positions or learning opportunities, please contact the Discovery Program at lefeducation@baymoon.com.
APPRENTICE PHOTO GALLERY
Live Earth Farm has been hosting apprentices since... can't exactly remember, 1998 at least! To see photos of some of our past apprentices, reveal the details!
Taylor
Jeff
David and Molly
Jillian
Amy (with Jonathan)
Linnea (on right)
Annie
Dorle
More to come!
