Jobs

Assistant Grower

CLOSING DATE: Monday 3rd February 2025.

LOCATION: Five Acre Community Farm (Wolston Lane, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Coventry, CV8 3LG) We are neighbours of Garden Organic and Coventry University’s Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, in the Avon catchment near Ryton-on-Dunsmore and Wolston.

REPORTS TO: Head Grower & Farm Manager

HOURS/SALARY: 3 days per week (7 hours a day) at the national living wage (£12.60 per hour) from March through October. The contract would include holiday pay and pension contributions. However, we understand that time is tight, so there could be some flexibility for the chosen candidate to accommodate for the notice period to their current employer. 

ABOUT THE FARM: Comprising a 6.5Ac veg field with agroforestry and polytunnels, plus an acre of established orchard and about ½ acre of structures (barn, packhouse, shed, glasshouse and picnic area).  We have been growing field scale organic veg and fruit for 12 years as an organic CSA on 8 acres. We don’t buy anything in, yet provide a share of the harvest all year round for a membership of 90 families, harvesting twice a week.

Overall purpose

To assist with most aspects of organic vegetable growing and harvesting at the farm, thereby helping ensure the year-round availability of seasonal, high quality, and varied produce for our membership.

Specific Duties

  1. Liaise with the head grower and farm manager regarding the weekly workflow.
  2. Work closely with the head grower and farm manager on almost all tasks involved with growing and harvesting of crops.
  3. Help facilitate volunteer sessions with groups of mixed ages and abilities.
  4. Observe the standards set by the Soil Association for organic horticulture in caring for the land and keeping it in good heart.
  5. Follow appropriate health and safety onsite and support others in doing so.
  6. Uphold the principles and aims of the community farm and be prepared to play a role in the steering group IE. developing management and strategic plans for the organisation.

Other Conditions

  • Regular work is required on specific days (including 1 Saturday per month) due to volunteer mornings and collection days. There is scope for flexibility in working times throughout the week, with agreement from the rest of the team.
  • It is the nature of horticultural work that the work flow is sometimes unpredictable and varied. All staff are therefore expected to work in an adaptable manner, and may have to carry out tasks that are not specifically covered in the Job Description.

Person Specification for Assistant Grower 2025

Essential (E) or Desirable (D)

Education/Qualifications

  • Basic horticultural or agricultural qualification (such as an RHS level 1) (D)
  • GCSE in Biology at grade B/5-6 or above (or equivalent) (D)
  • Some evidence of independent study or self-directed learning (could be unrelated to horticulture) (D)

Experience

  • Working with volunteers. (D)
  • Working with vulnerable groups. (D)
  • Working to deadline. (E)
  • Growing vegetables in a personal capacity such as home garden or allotment. (E)
  • Volunteering their own labour, either at a community garden/farm or at an organic / agro-ecological farm. (D)
  • Working for at least 1 season at/in a market garden, CSA, farm or woodland (arable, livestock or forestry experience considered). (D)
  • Experience working outdoors in all weathers. (E)

Personal Skills

The ideal candidate will be able to: * Communicate sensitively and effectively with a wide range of different people. (E) * Work as part of a team of other growers. (E) * Support and guide volunteers of mixed ages, horticultural experience and fluency of spoken English. (E) * Remain calm under pressure and prioritise tasks effectively to keep up with the workflow. (E) * Act on their own initiative where necessary. (D)

The candidate will be able to: * Committed to organic principles. (E) * Sympathetic to - and interested in - the concept of Community Supported Agriculture. (E) * Committed to Equal Opportunities in the workplace. (E)

Miscellaneous

  • Prepared to undertake regular weekend work (1 Saturday morning per month). (E)
  • Has an appreciation of and commitment to Health and Safety issues in the workplace (E)

Download this job description as a PDF here: Assistant grower job description

If you are interested in the post please email your CV and a covering letter to info@fiveacrefarm.org.uk.

Closing date: Monday 3rd February 2025.

Interested in a vegetable share? Get in touch!