Knoll Farm is based in the Mad River Valley of central Vermont. We are in our 25th season of raising certified organic blueberries and purebred Icelandic sheep on our 140 acre hill farm. Also for 25 years, our farm has been a gathering place for social and environmental change makers, and for important conversations about land justice to flourish among leaders with diverse points of view. At The Refuge at Knoll Farm, the food from this land contributes to making a place where leadership, relationships, health and well being are given space to flourish. In addition to nourishing our residential community, our PYO blueberries and farm store are popular with local residents and summer visitors to Vermont. We are open to the public daily, and also hold concerts, workshops and other public events.
We're excited to train someone into this key leadership position of managing our seasonal farm store as well as our certified organic pick-your-own blueberry operation. Although our blueberry PYO is only 2 acres, it can attract hundreds of visitors on a weekend, and we also pick for a dozen local wholesale accounts. Our store stocks our own farm products as well as sourcing other local goods. This full-time seasonal position will be responsible for managing our farm stand, tracking inventory and sales, signage and outreach for the PYO, customer relations and wholesale accounts. We are looking for a “people person” who understands the art of selling products and loves beautiful organic food.
Job responsibilities include:
- orchard work: harvesting, weeding, mulching pruning, mowing
- harvesting berries and managing small crew of wholesale berry pickers
- managing our wholesale berry accounts - orders, delivery and fulfillment
- stocking and curating the farm store, taking inventory and placing orders
- managing shifts in the farm stand and helping customers and visitors
- occasional help with farm events, concerts and workshops as well as sheep and gardens
Hours are typically 8 am-3 pm or 10 am-6 pm, 3-4 days a week, including one weekend day.
Experience needed:
Experience with physical work on a farm and outdoors in all weather is important. We are looking for people who are physically fit and strong, and who can work steadily to do a job well. A lot of being successful on a farm is thinking about how to move efficiently and problem-solve when faced with a new task or problem. Good communication skills, engaging kind manner with customers and guests and a positive attitude are all also vital to this job. Experience with retail and experience with berry picking a huge plus. Finally, you will be part of a community of 8-10 staff and many residential visitors so we are looking for someone who enjoys people and collaborative teamwork. This is a very rewarding job in a beautiful setting.
To apply for this position, please send a cover letter, resume, and the names of three professional references to [email protected]. Put Farm Applicant in the subject line. Feel free to email with any questions about the application. Thanks so much!
We believe that one of the greatest strengths of a community is diversity of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and age. We have a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination in employment and is committed to helping all of its employees feel safe, comfortable, accommodated, and valued in our work environment.