Full Time Grower role

Job Description 

This is a great opportunity to join the team at The Kitchen Garden People, a successful CSA  (established in 2016).  Our plot is based at FarmED, a Centre for Regenerative Agriculture in the Cotswolds, so there is plenty of opportunity to learn about and get involved in the wider regeneration farming movement.

 

The Kitchen Garden People comprises a small team with Dan, our lead grower working alongside Emma, Christine and seasonal staff and volunteers. We work closely as a team, each taking on a set of responsibilities, yet sharing the harvesting and growing tasks so that we rarely work a whole day alone and everyone gets their hands dirty. 

 

The plot is approximately 5 acres, with a field scale area (primarily no-till) and 900m2 of polytunnel space.  We grow a wide range of vegetables to supply 120 local families with a weekly veg box, and supply the FarmEAT café at FarmED and a local pub and restaurant with farm to fork produce.

 

Your role will involve all aspects of organic vegetable production. Working hours fluctuate depending on the season and while we work longer hours in the summer, you will enjoy reduced hours over winter (work over winter will include some non-vegetable production farm work  (e.g. coppicing, pruning, mulching, fencing) or the employee could reduce hours to persue other workor interests). 

 

This is an interesting and varied job and will suit someone with a wide range of practical skills who is excited by the prospect and challenges of commercial vegetable production. 

 

The prospects for future development in this role, for the right person, are very good. We have trained up several team members who have gone on to use the skills developed with us in their own ventures or leading other growing operations. We would support a candidate who wanted to work towards a work-based qualification, for example with the Biodynamic Agricultural College, with whom we are registered as a host.

 

The qualities and experience we are looking for include:

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• Experience of commercial growing or farming (or similar industry) on a similar scale. We will consider applications from new entrants or career-changers subject to demonstration of transferrable skills and commitment to our line of work.

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• An enthusiastic interest in the environment, soil, regenerative farming etc.

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• An efficient, productive worker who has stamina and enjoys physically active work in all weathers.

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• A good natured, cheerful and patient team player, despite what the day throws at you.

 

• An ability to adapt to established growing and harvest methods.

 

• Many of our field operations are done by hand but we rely on larger machinery on the farm for ground preparation and weed control so tractor/machine driving/maintenance experience would be a plus.

 

• An open minded attitude and willingness to work with staff and volunteers with different backgrounds and abilities.

 

See our Instagram for more information about The Kitchen Garden People.

 

Please apply with a brief covering letter and CV to thekitchengardenpeople@gmail.com before 31stJanuary 2025.

The next step would be a visit to the farm in West Oxfordshire to work with us for a day. We will close recruitment early if we find the right candidate.