Jobs

Wellspring Forest Farm seeks Mushroom Production and Market Assistant(s)



About Us


We are a small farm in the Finger Lakes region of NY.  This is our fourteenth season stewarding 35 acres of pasture and woodlands. Our main commercial crop is mushrooms, which are produced outdoors and in our indoor facility. We seek an assistant(s) to join our team and support the production and sales of specialty mushrooms including shiitake, oyster, lion's mane, turkey tail, and others.  We make tinctures, grow bags and other mushroom products for sale as well.


Adjacent to the mushroom enterprise, we conduct agroforestry research, host educational events and tours, and produce a range of items on a small scale, including maple syrup, lamb in silvopasture grazing systems, elderberry, nursery and fruit trees, and broilers and laying hens. We also host short-term guests at our yurt and cottage rentals


We value community, honesty, integrity, hard work, and being in service. As we farm, we seek ways to address the intersections of climate change, social equity, and environmental restoration.  


Learn more about us at www.WellspringForestFarm.com



Job Description


We seek individuals who are self-driven, focused, detail-oriented, and skilled at honest and open communication. Curiosity and passion for growing mushrooms and for growing good food in relation to the earth is a must. 



Responsibilities


(60%) Production: During the warmer seasons, we manage outdoor shiitake logs and indoor production of oyster, lion's mane, and king oyster mushrooms. Weekly work includes harvesting, inoculating logs and blocks, composting spent materials, and a fair amount of cleaning and sanitizing production spaces! Expect repetitive tasks that demand your focus and derailed attention.


(40%) Markets: We sell at the Ithaca Farmers Market year-round and make weekly deliveries in the warmer seasons to our CSA and restaurant customers. The Assistant is expected to work one weekend day at the Farmers Market during the summer market season (April - November), taking responsibility for an attractive set-up of the booth, providing friendly and knowledgeable communication to customers, and organizing the take-down of the booth. The Assistant must develop an understanding of our products and be personable and approachable to customers.




Hours and Schedule


This is a part-time position that fluctuates during the seasons as listed below with these averages:  


Avg hours/week


Jan & Feb

10 - 15 


April - Nov

15 - 20 


Nov & Dec

10 - 12


The applicant must be able to commit to a minimum of one full season. Someone who lives locally and is interested in long-term employment is ideal, however, we are also always willing to try to fit the schedule needs of an applicant and the needs of the position, so reach out to talk more.  


Work Tasks

Mushroom farming is very different from other types of cultivation. We share this list of specific tasks so applicants get a sense of the job:



Daily


Weekly


Occasional


Compensation & Benefits

$19/hr. Workers comp is provided as dictated by New York State Law. We are committed to providing above a living wage as defined by the Tompkins County Workers Rights Center.


Employees receive a weekly share of mushrooms, a full vegetable share we pay for from a local farm (June - Nov), and free access to our online courses and on-farm workshops as they occur during your tenure. 


Sick and vacation days are also offered, exact number TBD when an employment offer is made. 



Skills & Qualifications




Commuting vs Living


Unfortunately, there is no public transportation to our farm. Employees must have their own vehicle.


There is the option to camp on-site for the summer (May-Oct) free of charge in your own housing, as many previous employees have done. We have an outdoor hot shower, compost toilet, and swimming pond on site. These facilities are shared with others when we are conducting educational programs and must be maintained and kept clean throughout the season. We have had past employees bring their camper or tiny house, which we can negotiate. We cannot provide housing.


Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Wellspring Forest Farm provides equal employment opportunities to applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.


As white people holding the deed to land still home to the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫʼ, we recognize our privilege and power and are committed to actively exploring issues with openness and honesty, to dismantle racism and discrimination in our work, business, and the larger world. We encourage people of all backgrounds and races to consider applying.  



TO APPLY:


We are accepting applications on a rolling basis and will schedule interviews ASAP until the position(s) are filled. 


Please send the following items to stevegabrielfarmer@gmail.com:





Send files to: stevegabrielfarmer@gmail.com with "JOB APPLICATION" in the subject line. 


We review applications as they are received and will start interviews ASAP until position(s) are filled.