Family Harvest Farm Apprentice 1
Family Harvest Farm—a program of John Muir Land Trust—is a thriving urban farm where young adults and adults participate in a local food system that encourages healthy living, nurtures the environment, and grows community. Family Harvest Farm employs transition-age foster youth as apprentices in a hands-on job-readiness program in regenerative farming, teaching marketable skills and offering a supportive community.
Apprentice 1 employees will be hired into a 6—12-month program designed to provide on-the-job training through a variety of farm tasks, including seed sowing and planting, bed preparation, irrigation, weeding, pest and crop management, harvest and post-harvest handling, bouquet making, and working with the public such as giving tours and leading volunteers on the farm. In addition, apprentices will participate in workshops focused on farming, life skills, and exploration of employment and educational pathways.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Apprentice workload and responsibilities will vary by season and include:
- Meet with staff to review the daily farm plan
- Participate in regular performance evaluations and leadership development meetings
- Participate in weekly classes to hone farming and leadership skills
- Support community engagement, including field trips, workshops, and produce distribution
- Perform farm tasks as a team with coworkers, volunteers, and individually
- Harvest crops and process crops for sale and donation
- Perform crop maintenance including weeding and thinning
- Dig, shape, and manage planting beds
- Direct seed new crops and plant seedlings in bed rows
- Maintain compost including cold compost, hot compost, and vermicompost
- Prep and cook fresh, healthy food using crops
- Set up, break down, and manage weekly farm stand
- Set up, troubleshoot, and repair irrigation lines
- Maintain a greenhouse including preparing soil mixes, sowing seeds, and watering
JOB REQUIREMENTS
- 18-24 years old with experience in foster care
- Engaged in ongoing direct support services from referring agency
- Actively participates and works in a safe and healthy community
- Participate in bi-monthly check-ins, quarterly reviews, skill building courses, and support from FHF staff
- Fully vaccinated against COVID-19; proof of vaccination required
- Resume
- Able to work outdoors on uneven surfaces, be on your feet all day & lift as much as 30 lbs.
- Interested in working outdoors
- Dependable, responsible, and willing to learn
- Interest in farming, culinary arts, landscaping/gardening, and/or environmental science
- Ability to work remotely; occasional remote work may be required
- Able to follow rules and policies of John Muir Land Trust and Family Harvest Farm
Additional Information
Referral is Required from: First Place for Youth , CASA, ILSP, Pacific Clinics, Youth Homes or a Social Worker of a referring agency.
Employment Type: Temporary part-time not to exceed 12 months
Schedule: 20 hours per week; Tuesday-Friday 9am-2pm; with occasional evening or weekend hours as scheduled. Reduced schedule available based on applicant’s need.
Reports To: Mary Cherry, Senior Farm Manager
Staff Contact: Gabriel Sumayan Garcia , Workforce Development Coordinator: 925-719-4762 or Gabriel@nulljmlt.org
Location: Family Harvest Farm, 1300 Power Avenue, Pittsburg, CA 94565
Compensation: $17.50 per hour
Download Farm Apprentice 1 position (pdf)