Field Team Member - Powisset Farm

Opportunity Overview:
Powisset Farm is located on ancestral and unceded lands of the Wampanoag, Nipmuc, and Massachusetts peoples. Powisset Farm has a long history of agricultural enterprises, from its First Peoples to Amelia Peabody’s legendary farm, famous for its breed stock of Hereford cattle and Yorkshire pigs.

Today, our farm is better known for its CSA (community supported agriculture) operation. By purchasing a share at Powisset Farm, CSA members help to create community around our farm and their commitment to locally grown produce. They receive vegetables each week throughout the growing season, and harvest pick-your-own crops as well. The vegetable operation at Powisset also supplies an on-site farm stand, a Mobile Market program, an on-farm commercial kitchen, and wholesale accounts.  At Powisset Farm we are committed to growing our community by connecting people to food and the land on which it grows.
 
As a Field Team Member you will work alongside and learn from staff as you participate in field projects that include transplanting, weeding and harvesting. Many skills you learn will be transferable to your own home gardens.
 
This position will be held on Tuesdays throughout the growing season from 9 a.m. until 12p.m. Come learn more about farming as you work alongside our farm staff.

Please sign up for each date below that you would like to volunteer for! 

Reports to: CSA Farm Manager and other staff

Benefits:

• Helping to create a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive community
• Skills learned are transferable to your own garden
• Connecting and networking with like-minded staff, visitors, and volunteers 

Responsibilities (include, but are not limited to the following):
Field tasks:

• Maintain the fields by weeding (by hand or by specialized hand tool), laying row cover, staking and tying tomatoes
• Help with transplanting of seedlings and hand-scale direct seeding
• Maintain tools and facilities associated with field work including the wash station, harvest containers, harvest and weeding tools.
• Wear closed toe shoes and appropriate clothing for weather conditions while working in the fields. We also suggest that you wear long pants, however to do so is optional.
• Maintain communication with the farm crew and the farmer
• Adhere to The Trustees safety and COVID-19 protocols
• Sign-up for available shifts

 
Qualifications:

• Prior field experience is a plus, but not essential
• Willingness to learn and enjoy hard work
• Ability to walk on a variety of surfaces including grass, paved walkways, stairs
• Ability to stand, kneel and bend
• Ability to lift 40 lbs.
• Enthusiasm for farming and being outside in variable weather conditions
• Enthusiasm for fast-paced, detail-oriented work
• Ability to identify the difference between a weed and specific veggies grown in the field (or a willingness to learn)
• Excellent communication skills
• Minimum age: 16 years old
  Please note: A background check is required for this role

Time Commitment:
We ask for a seasonal weekly commitment from April  – October, Tuesdays 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. We accommodate vacations and time off—just let us know ahead of time.
 
For more information Contact the Volunteer Services Team at volunteer@thetrustees.org

To explore other volunteer opportunities, visit our volunteer page at http://volunteer.thetrustees.org/
 
More about The Trustees
Founded by landscape architect Charles Eliot in 1891, The Trustees has, for more than 125 years, been a catalyst for important ideas, endeavors, and progress in Massachusetts. As a steward of distinctive and dynamic places of both historic and cultural value, The Trustees is the nation’s first preservation and conservation organization, and its landscapes and landmarks continue to inspire discussion, innovation, and action today as they did in the past. We are a nonprofit, supported by members, friends and donors and our 116 sites are destinations for residents, members, and visitors alike, welcoming millions of guests annually. www.thetrustees.org.
 
Inclusive Spaces for All
We are committed to providing a welcoming environment for all. Together, alongside our partners and volunteers we are creating inclusive spaces of community for people of all backgrounds to enjoy and preserving these open spaces for everyone, forever. We are committed to inclusion across race, gender, age, religion, identity, ability, and experience.
 
The Trustees is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, military service, application for military service, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. The Trustees makes reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Covid-19 Volunteer Safety:
The health and safety of Trustees’ volunteers, staff and visitors is our top priority.

• If you are not feeling well, please stay home
• If you have been in contact with someone with Covid-19 or someone displaying symptoms of Covid-19, please stay home
• For our most current Covid-19 updates, please visit our main Trustees site