Title: Youth Farm Assistant

Position Type: Seasonal Part-time 32 hours/ per week – Non-Exempt 

Salary: $18.00 hourly 

** This position is Open Until Filled – Applications will be first reviewed on March 26 and after that as they are received. For immediate consideration, apply by March 24! 

The anticipated start date is May 5, 2025, and end date is November 3, 2025. Ideally, the Youth Farm Assistant will be available to work Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 7am-3:30pm, but some flexibility may be available. 

Summary of Role: As the Youth Farm Assistant, you will work to ensure that Marion Polk Food Share’s Youth Farm is a productive agricultural operation and supportive educational environment by performing general agricultural duties and assisting with youth supervision on the farm and in the kitchen.

Who we are looking for: 

• You are passionate about farming. You have a strong interest in small-scale organic vegetable production and have experience growing food on a farm or in a home garden. You are excited to share your knowledge and love of agriculture with others, including our teen youth farmers.  
• You are a team player. Nothing is beneath or above you. You are quick to lend a hand or two! You can earn influence without authority and naturally seek to support both small projects and significant strategic goals. You can easily gain trust from staff and youth farmers and are known for your willingness to help. You convey information clearly, listen actively, and can collaborate with team members. You’re not afraid to ask questions. 
• You enjoy working hard outside. You are an avid outdoor or sports enthusiast who enjoys physically demanding work and are comfortable performing outdoor activities for prolonged periods of time in a wide range of temperatures and weather conditions. You have great stamina and can work quickly and efficiently. You know your physical limits and how to pace yourself and rest accordingly.  
• You are a problem solver. You approach problems with curiosity and a solutions-oriented mindset.  You can adapt to changing conditions and unexpected challenges, and can address problems as they arise.  
• You want to be a mentor. You are excited by the opportunity to be a positive role model for our teen youth farmers by demonstrating qualities such as responsibility, compassion, work ethic, and a commitment to sustainable farming practices.

Your responsibilities as the Youth Farm Assistant will include: Agricultural support: This position supports the Youth Farm staff and youth crew in growing 20,000-35,000 pounds of organic vegetables for community distribution.  

• Assisting with greenhouse transplant production. 
• Operating tractor for mowing, tilling, and bed preparation tasks.   
• Using a variety of hand tools & cultivation equipment to reduce weed pressure on crops.  
• Assisting with irrigation maintenance and installation on plantings.  
• Implementing organic pest & disease control methods. 
• Assisting with maintenance of farm facilities and equipment. 

Landscaping and maintenance: This position helps to maintain accessible pathways, clear work areas, functional infrastructure, and beautiful public spaces at the Youth Farm.  

• Mowing main pathways.  
• String trimming around irrigation valves, fence lines, parking lots, seating areas and hedgerows.  
• Mulching and weeding farm gathering spaces and perennial plantings.  

Youth program support: This position ensures a supportive and safe educational environment for the teen participants at the Youth Farm by assisting with supervision of the youth crew. 

• Demonstrating safe agricultural work to youth crew. 
• Helping youth crew leaders troubleshoot problems with agricultural work. 
• Supporting youth farmers in harvesting, washing, and packing operations to benefit Farm Share Rx distributions.
• Assisting with grocery and supply purchases. 
• Supporting summer program kitchen operations and supporting youth farmers in cooking lunch using farm produce.  

The most competitive / strongest candidates will possess a combination of the following background, skills, experience, and knowledge. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every one of our qualifications listed.

• 1+ years of experience in organic farming, gardening, and/or landscaping preferred.   
• 1+ years of experience working with teenagers preferred.  
• Commitment to engagement in diversity, equity, and inclusion work. 
• Care and concern about food-insecurity in our community and a desire to make a difference. 

All candidates will need:

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds on a regular basis and push/pull up to 300 pounds.   
• Working knowledge of landscaping equipment including lawnmowers, string trimmers, and rototillers. 
• Must be experienced with or willing to learn to drive large trucks (pick up, dump truck) and use farm/garden equipment (small tractors, walk behind rototiller etc.).  
• Good verbal communication skills.  
• Proven ability to work effectively on a team.  
• Willingness to learn new things and problem-solve creatively.  
• Strong interest in farming and gardening or community food security. 
• Must pass pre-employment drug screen (excluding THC) and full background check, including eligibility to work with vulnerable populations. 
• Must have a current driver’s license. Must pass driving record check and be insurable through Marion-Polk Food Share’s vehicle insurance policy.

About Marion Polk Food Share 

We are the regional food bank bringing people together to end hunger and its root causes in Marion and Polk Counties. Support from our local community makes it possible for the Food Share to collect and distribute nutritious food for children, adults, and seniors through more than 100 partner programs, including food pantries, meal sites and home-delivered meals and to carry out programs to address the root causes of hunger. 

At the Food Share, our commitment is to: 

• Treat all people as our neighbor. 
• Encourage creativity and be willing to take risks. 
• Listen first and seek to understand. 
• Focus on shared goals. 
• Celebrate diversity, ensure dignity, and act equitably. 

Job Conditions: 

Work will be performed mainly outdoors, in all types of weather. Work will regularly involve sustained periods of standing and walking and moderate to heavy manual labor, including bending, reaching, squatting, crawling, stooping and use of the hands, arms, and fingers. Will regularly be required to lift up to 50 pounds. Work will involve regular travel and use of a Food Share truck, tractor, and other equipment.  

Hybrid/remote/onsite requirements:  

Remote work is NOT possible for this position.   

The Food Share provides essential services to our neighbors in Marion and Polk counties. As a result, all Food Share employees may be asked to report to work during local public health, weather, or other environmental emergencies. 

More on Compensation: 

The Food Share provides all employees with the following benefits: 

• Competitive pay 
• 12 paid holidays each year 
• Earned vacation and sick leave 
• Employee Assistance Program  

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function and physical demand satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation.  

EOE.