Jobs at Adam’s Berry Farm

Positions Available

• Value Added Production and Kitchen Leader: hiring!!!

• Farmstand Crew: filled for the season

• Farm Maintenance Crew: hiring!!!

• Morning Harvest Crew: filled for the season

• Harvest and Field Crew: filled for the season

Farm Setting

The farm is located in East Charlotte Vermont on the out skirts of Burlington. It is conserved through the Vermont Land Trust and will always be actively farmed. Prior to our new land, we spent close to a decade farming at the Intervale in Burlington. In 2013 we relocated to our beautiful new spot.

This marks our 23rd season in business. We are a community-oriented farm that grows 20 delicious acres of certified organic strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and other small fruits. We take pride in the fact that 80% of our berries are distributed within a 15-mile radius of the farm through select restaurants and food markets and at the Saturday Burlington Farmers Market. We also operate a Pick Your Own that is open from June to the middle of October, beginning with strawberries and ending with fall bearing raspberries. We have a loyal and supportive customer base that frequents the farm.

We grow approximately 10 varieties of strawberries (hoop-house and field), 18 varieties of blueberries, (high bush and half highs) and 9 varieties of raspberries (summer and fall bearing). (hoop-house and field)

As far as products that we produce, there are the fresh berries of course. But we also make farm fresh preserves, popsicles and sorbets that are offered at our farm stand, farmers' market and other local outlets.  We also freeze berries throughout the season and sell frozen berries year round. We strive to provide our customers and markets with local organic berries year round.

Work Expectations

We are a fast paced, fun, hard working berry farm located in Charlotte Vermont about 10 miles south of Burlington in the banana belt of Vermont. We are looking for workers that have a minimum of one-years previous farming experience. Ideally candidates will have a desire to embark on a farming career or related agricultural pursuit. Workers will gain experience and proficiency in strawberry planting, organic soil health, disease and pest management, daily harvesting and post harvest treatment, pick your own operations, marketing, value added product production, hand weeding, cover cropping, mulching, trellising methods, pruning, perennial crop health, season extension through hoop-house management, fall hoop-house construction, basic equipment maintenance, irrigation layout and repair…

We expect coworkers to be engaged, efficient, be able to pick up tasks quickly, and creatively stay motivated through out the day and farm season. Humor while working hard and keeping a good pace is always plus. We try to keep it fun but we do have high expectations that we expect employees to do their best to maintain.

Instruction and Training

We are big believersin hands on learning at the farm. Though we do not offer an apprenticeship program, we try to explain the “why” behind the task so that it holds more meaning in the work. We are always willing to explain more or help source information to find the answer to an unknown question.

Wages

Wage will be based on experience.

Perks

Organic berries and veggies and a discount in our farm store

Positions

VALUE ADDED PRODUCTION AND KITCHEN LEADER: hiring!!!

This is a part-time seasonal position (approximately 30 hours/week beginning in May through late September). There is the potential to be full time if candidate is also interested in harvest work and/or PYO operation. Days and times can be flexible so long as production and processing needs are met in a timely manner that align with the farm needs and distribution demands.

This person will be responsible for all aspects of our value added products from start to finish. For the right person we are open to exploring and expanding our current value added products to include new and exciting products.

Compensation: Dependent on experience

Responsibilities:

• Participate in the production of value added products (popsicles, sorbet, lemonade, jam and others) This is to include processing and cooking fruit, freezing popsicles and sorbet, packing and labeling product, etc

• Participate in the processing, packing and labeling of frozen berries for frozen berry line

• Oversee the cleanliness and organization of kitchen and freezer

• Maintain and record inventory of all frozen products including unprocessed and processed fruit, product mixes and all value added products

• Maintain proper rotation, labeling and dating of products as well as all traceability logs

• Maintain an efficient organization system for all products

• Assist in developing new recipes while staying true to our brand's identity and customer base

• Maintain food safety and quality standards

Qualifications:

• Kitchen experience very strongly preferred

• Comfortable and proficient with basic math, measuring and culinary skills

• Possess a positive attitude and strong work ethic and be punctual and reliable

• Good communicator who is willing and able to ask for help

• Highly organized and detail oriented

• Efficient worker who is capable of multi-tasking and working independently

• Must be physically capable of lifting and moving product weighing up to 50 lbs.

FARM MAINTENANCE CREW: hiring!!!

10 hours per week
Compensation: Dependent on experience

Help us keep the farm looking it’s best. Looking for someone to help us with mowing, weedwhacking, and hedge row maintenance. This job can be flexible with regards to days and times as long as needs of the farm are met.

• Must have familiarity with riding mowers, brush hogs and weedwhackers and/or equivalent small scale machinery and equipment

• Ability to work independently

FARMSTAND CREW: filled for the season

Part Time and/or Full Time
July – August, June harvest work available if desired
Afternoons 10-6:00 and must be available one weekend day 8:30-6:30

Compensation is based on skill and experience level, starting at $16/hr
Perks: organic berries and veggies and a discount in our farm store

Work in our retail farmstand and help with all aspects of our pick your own operation

Responsibilities

• Processing payments

• Receiving and stocking merchandise as well as maintaining product inventory

• Creating visually appealing and shoppable displays

• Making and maintaining all signs

• Maintaining a clean and welcome environment both inside the farmstand and around the farm

• Explain pick your own procedures to customers – including where to pick, how to pick, information about varieties and flavors, etc

Qualifications:

• Customer service experience preferred

• Interest in local food and agriculture

• Comfortable talking with customers about the farm and making everyone feel like friends and family

• Reliable and detail oriented with a strong aesthetic sense

• Strong communication skills

• Ability to solve problems and think of creative solutions

• Patient, kind and a positive attitude

• Must be able to lift 50lbs and be able to spend long hours on feet

MORNING HARVEST CREW: filled for the season

Part-Time
June through fall
Compensation is based on skill and experience level, starting at $16/hr

The morning harvest crew is responsible for harvesting strawberries, raspberries and blueberries throughout the season. Work may also include packing and sorting berries that are destined for our local markets. The day begins and 7am and ends at noon.

• Attention to detail and ability to work quickly and efficiently a must

• Be prepared to work outside in all weather conditions

• Must be able to lift at least 50lbs

• Be a positive and enthusiastic crew member

• Good communication skills

HARVEST AND FIELD CREW: filled for the season

Full Time
June through Fall
Monday – Friday: 7am – 4pm
Compensation is based on skill and experience level, starting at $16/hr

Responsibilites:

• Harvest berries and other crops in an efficient manner

• Perform farm tasks such as weeding, trellising, thinning, processing

• Work to ensure that productivity and quality goals are met

• Sort and pack harvested products (and process if necessary)

• Organize, complete and pack orders for delivery and/or market

• Maintain organization and cleaning of packing area

• Help to maintain detailed records of harvest and distribution

• Understand and adhere to all food safety practices of the farm

• Maintain efficient speed and quality of work both as a team member and individual

• Work in farmstand as needed

Qualifications:

• At least one season of previous farm work is required

• Experience with tractor and small equipment desirable

• Possess a positive attitude, strong work ethic and be punctual and reliable

• Good communicator who is willing and able to ask for help

• Organized and detail oriented

• Efficient worker who is capable of multi-tasking

• Must be physically capable of lifting and moving product weighing up to 50 lbs.

• Capable of working in all weather conditions and being outdoors for 8 hours a day. Must be able to stand, sit, bend, kneel, stretch and squat for long periods of time

• Works well with a team or as an individual and is respectful of coworkers

• Flexible - every day will be different