Join our team!
Hilltop Hanover Farm & Environmental Center is a 60 acre working farm and educational center that uses organic practices to grow produce and flowers for a market-style CSA, on-site farm stand, U-Pick produce field, and native plant nursery. The farm welcomes school groups throughout the year and the farm property is open to the public free of charge.
Who we are
Hilltop Hanover Farm staff are a group of people who each bring unique and varying skills and interest and who all care deeply about the mission of the farm to support our community through shared work, food, and environmental stewardship. Our full time year round staff provide expertise in their respective fields and also work together daily to collaborate on shared projects. During the growing season, our staff team nearly doubles with the addition of seasonal crew members. Interns and volunteers help by filling in where needed. We value welcoming new friends, guests, and workers into our community and strive to make our farm a place where people from all backgrounds and identities can all learn, ask questions, and enjoy ice cream together. Our staff team is a reflection of the community we have built and are essential in doing the good work of farming! We acknowledge that everyone has different personal goals and we work to support individual growth while making sure the needs of the farm are also met.
Job Description
Field Crew Leaders work directly with the Farm Manager and Assistant Farm Manager to help ensure the farm is operating efficiently. Applicants should love getting dirty and take pleasure in a hard day’s work! This position is extremely physical, requiring long hours of repetitive motions and heavy lifting. The most successful Field Crew Leaders will know how to motivate and support their team in completing many essential tasks!
Responsibilities include directing Field Crew members to complete daily tasks, lead projects around the farm, and give feedback and instructions to staff and volunteers. Field Crew Leaders will receive training and be required to become proficient at our established systems in multiple specialties (ie direct seeding, livestock chores, transplanting, greenhouse procedures) in order to be able to train other staff members. Field Crew Leaders must have experience in leadership roles and at least 3 years of experience working on production farms.
Primary Responsibilities
- Become proficient in farm systems and practices in order to direct staff, volunteers, interns on tasks like weeding, harvesting, pruning
- Lead the Farm Crew and/or Harvest team at least 1-2 days per week
- Do animal chores including mucking and watering of animals
- Work alongside volunteers, interns, and students
- Maintain a positive attitude and team mentality!
Skills and Qualifications
- At least 3 seasons of experience working in agriculture or horticulture required
- Ability to work in all weather conditions while maintaining self-awareness of personal needs and safety
- Detail oriented
- Ability to be flexible with daily tasks
- Clear communication skills, open to receiving feedback
- Strong commitment to organic and sustainable farming practices
- Comfortably able to lift 40lbs
- Valid NY Driver’s License
- Background Check and Pre-Employment Drug Testing required.
- Retail experience is a plus
We try to keep a regular schedule, however hours will shift throughout the season, based on the weather and needs of the farm. Work may start as early as 6:30 am during the heat of the summer and some weekend work may be required. We are unable to provide housing or transportation at this time.
This position is available starting ASAP and runs as late as mid-November. Available positions range from 20-35 hours per week and may vary throughout the season, based on need.
To apply: Send an email to farmmanager@hilltophanoverfarm.org with a letter of interest, resume, and a list of 3 references, including ‘Field Crew Leader’ in the subject line. Please include your earliest possible start date and if you are looking for full or part time work in your cover letter.