Laramie, WY

Position Title: Shares Farm Production Team Member

Organization: Feeding Laramie Valley

Location: Laramie, WY

Organization Overview: Since their founding in 2009, they have worked to fulfill their mission through increased food production, access, distribution, and educational efforts that encourage community-led food sovereignty. Feeding Laramie Valley grows their own fruits and vegetables, mentors and supports backyard gardeners, develops, helps manage community gardens, and is deeply committed to partnerships with independent farmers and producers in the Rocky Mountain Region and beyond. They share high-quality produce with individuals and families who need it at no charge, focusing on elders, children, and people living with disabilities and chronic illnesses.

Position Overview:  They are adding 4 of these positions to their team this Summer, once these spots are full, the positions will be closed until the 2025 season. The Feeding Laramie Valley Shares Production Team Member is a core member of their intensive production season. Staff serve as community-based activists and advocate for group and individual efforts to promote local food security and equity in Albany County, Wyoming. The production team member is involved in all aspects of vegetable production across 4 production plots, including hoop house management, planting, cultivation, pest management, watering, harvesting, wash and packing for distribution, monthly operation of their FLV farmers market booth, and assisting with community events throughout the summer. This physically demanding job requires lifting, bending, squatting, kneeling, etc., and doing so in all weather conditions.

The Shares production team members will work closely with the Shares Production and Distribution Director, The Shares Assistant Production Manager and The Feeding Laramie Valley staff in each responsibility area and will also be expected to work independently at times and in a team setting with the FLV staff, volunteers and community members. Additional responsibilities, such as small project management, will be delegated depending on need and abilities.

They are a small crew that works fast and accomplishes a lot throughout the short growing season! The ideal candidate is interested in developing their farming and leadership skills, comfortable with the unknown and adaptability involved with farming and is committed to and understanding of FLV’s mission and purpose.

Duties: 

• Assist in the everyday completion of fieldwork seeding/transplanting, preparing beds, weed management, trellising, pruning, hoop house management, watering, planting, harvesting and washing and maintaining facilities and tools.
• Perform walk throughs as a team, to scout for pests/problems, and plan for upcoming production tasks of the week.
• Giving or assisting in educational tours, and demonstrations showcasing their agricultural work, the Shares program, and gardens to visiting groups and the public.
• Assist in planting, maintenance, cleaning, harvesting and production from their hydroponics system.
• Weeding, weeding, weeding, weeding.
• Use and proper care for specific tools and farm equipment and vehicles (harvest knives, shovels, cultivation tools).\
• Recording accurate production yields and compost collection data. Assist in the planning and execution of The Higher Ground Fair and Food, Fun in the Park, and other events throughout the season.
• Attend Shares program and supervision meetings with Shares Production and Distribution Director and the distribution team.
• Rotating responsibility of weekend watering throughout the season.
• Occasionally assisting in the distribution of Shares produce to the community through Shares Pickup days and Shares Delivery days.
• Assist in setting up and staffing the FLV farmers Markets Occasional Markets Fridays Mid-July through September. Tasks include:
  • Educating the public on Feeding Laramie Valley’s Shares food production Sites.
  • Enlisting Farmers Market vendors to donate food at the end of the market.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ability to lift 50+ pounds, bend and kneel
• All FLV staff, interns, and volunteers are subject to background checks. In addition, a copy of a current driver’s license record is required to drive on behalf of FLV.
• Must be comfortable working with and taking lead from a diverse group of people.
• Self-motivated and detail oriented.
• A deep interest in food justice and local food systems work.
• Enthusiastic about the mission of the Shares Program and Feeding Laramie Valley.
• Interpersonal and motivational skills and the willingness to work with a diverse group of people.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Farming, vegetable production or experience/knowledge of horticultural practices. This is not necessary, they are looking for someone eager to learn, passionate and who can bring their own personality and perspective to the team!
• Willingness to work in a variety of weather conditions.
• Bilingual; English and Spanish speaking,
• They highly value candidates who embrace and contribute to the rich tapestry of the community as they work towards the collective vision of a sustainable, diverse and equitable food system.

Start/End Dates: May 13- June 3: Monday- Friday, 8:30 AM -4:30 PM, 40 hours a week with a 1- hour lunch every day (Occasional weekend morning for watering, compensation time will be given during the week for this). The first week will include an all-staff onsite training.

and

June 3- August 29: 4-day work week, 9 hours includes a 1-hour unpaid lunch break every day. Work week daily schedule varies. This will include weekend watering; comp time will be provided for any hours over 40.

OR

June 3- October 6 : 4-day work week, 9 hours includes a 1-hour lunch break every day. Work week daily schedule varies. This will include 1 weekend morning watering and occasional weekend events at the farm, comp time will be provided for any hours over 40.

Salary/Pay:  This position pays $15 an hour, includes 5 days paid time off, a free raised bed for the 2024 growing season, a weekly Shares produce bag, and access to tools, seeds and compost! In addition, farm crew members will learn the ins and outs of market sized diversified vegetable production! You will also have access to any of FLV’s resources and materials, a diversified vegetable production guide, and community connections working towards food justice in and beyond Albany County.

Application Deadline: March 4, 2024

How to Apply: Please use the online application for the 15-week position or the 21-week position to view the full job description as well as how to apply. Send questions to stefani@feedinglaramievalley.org