Wildland Cooperative is seeking multiple candidates to join us in growing on our Green Bluff farm and serving beer, wine and other local goods in our market space.
*About Wildland Cooperative:*
Wildland is a worker-owned cooperative located on Green Bluff with a mission of cultivating our connection to the land through four main pillars of our business:
* Organic, ecological farming
* Operating a winery and brewery serving beverages crafted from local ingredients
* Retail market space for creative goods and farm-fresh produce
* Land conservation and rewilding projects
A cooperative is a business structure that seeks to make decision making and ownership more democratic. Each member owner of the cooperative is entitled to one share of the business and has one vote in matters of decision making. Additionally, if the business is profitable, member owners share these profits equally based on the number of hours they have worked. We believe that shared ownership and shared decision making allow organizations to thrive.
New team members must work 500 hours before they are eligible for membership in the cooperative. Once they work those 500 hours during a full season, the cooperative then decides to offer membership where the team member can then choose to join the organization as a member owner.
As Wildland Cooperative is a multi-faceted business with group ownership, we encourage team members to learn about the different aspects of the operation in order to better serve our customers and be stewards of the overall vision.
*Farm Hand & Farmers’ Market Lead Position:*
We are looking for one reliable and knowledgeable person to join our farm team! They would be working directly with the farm manager from late-spring through late-autumn. This position will float from on-farm work to leading farmers’ market initiatives.
*About the Wildland Farm:*
Our farm is atop the beautiful Green Bluff agricultural area in Colbert, WA. At Wildland Cooperative, our farming philosophy revolves around diversity, ecological connection, and proper soil health. Team members are enthusiastic to build community around fresh, nutritious food as we strengthen our local food system.
Our small scale market farm is about one acre of in production land with over 100 different varieties of summer and fall vegetables, as well as culinary herbs and flowers for a u-cut flower season. We grow high quality produce with organic practices and minimal soil disturbance to be sold direct to consumer at local farmer’s markets, the Wildland Taproom and Market, and through our CSA program, which serves around 40 people. We feel honored to participate in stewarding the land and positively contributing to Spokane’s food system (and beyond)!
*Position Summary:*
The Farm Hand will be involved with planting, weeding, harvesting, wash & pack, along with everything in between (seasonal maintenance, trellising, fertilizing, up-potting, laying drip irrigation, setting up/closing down u-cut flowers, and so much more. We are also still in the early years of establishing our farm; the right candidate will be deeply involved with infrastructure projects, such as high tunnel construction to extend our growing season. They will be consistently bending, crouching, and carrying >40lbs, potentially working through challenging weather. They ultimately share our passion for small-scale, chemical free agriculture and wish to treat our one and only beautiful Earth with compassion and care.
As the Farmers’ Market Lead, they shall attend and represent Wildland at both participating farmers’ markets: Perry Street Thursday Market and Liberty Lake Farmers’ Market on Saturdays.They will load all Wildland offerings (beer, wine, merch, and produce), along with all market supplies into the van, drive to each market, set-up the booth, engage customers, seasonally distribute CSA boxes, take down, and unload. Both markets run from May through October.
*Date and Time Commitment:*
* The position starts in May (ideally May 7th) and will go through November (tentatively depending on the season) - _must_ commit to one full season with opportunity to return the following year and be offered worker ownership per our Worker Owned Cooperative bylaws state.
* Part Time to start with additional hours guaranteed once “in season”.
* Part Time: 2-3 days/week (Thurs-Sat)
* In season: 4 days/week (Wed-Sat)
* 2 on-farm days: exact hours fluctuate
* 2 farmers’ market days: Thurs, 12-8:30pm & Sat, 6:30am-2:30pm
* On-farm hours vary seasonally, but are typically 8am-4pm; you can anticipate getting an earlier start to the day like 7am in the peak heat of summer. Exact hours are communicated the week prior.
* As required by law, employees get a paid 10 minute rest break in the middle of their shift for every four hours worked. Shifts lasting 5 hours or more include a 30 minute uninterrupted meal break (unpaid).
*Responsibilities:*
* This includes all primary farm tasks, which are mostly done by hand both independently and with a crew.
* Harvest, washing, packing for markets on-site, off-site and into boxes for CSA and sanitizing throughout
* Bed preparation including cutting out all old plants, hand weeding, broad forking, spreading compost, raking beds
* Weeding, hoeing, trellising, hilling, plant maintenance, dead heading, plot border establishment, seed collection, did I mention weeding
* Direct sowing with the use of a JANG seeder and Earthway seeder
* Transplanting
* Record-keeping, reporting to manager
* Uphold health regulations in accordance with laws regarding food safety
* Laying and repairing drip irrigation
* Watering seedling in the propagation house
* Seasonal construction projects
* General tool maintenance
* Take farm photos throughout the season and collaborate with team on social media content
* Stock Wildland Taproom and Market with veggies and monitor
* Operate a mower and weed wacker
* Market set up and take down - safely load all beer, wine, produce, tables, tents, etc into the farm van and figure out that puzzle; drive to the market and set up in our assigned spot
* Ability to merchandize our offerings during setup and are knowledgeable with what offerings are available each week as they often rotate
* Keen eye and attentiveness for making sure produce is always stocked and looking great, spritzing and rotating when necessary
* Apply sales strategies to draw customers in
* Charge all electronics and sign in and out of each “Square location”; be able to operate the Square point of sale processing cash, card, SNAP, FMNP, and market money transactions
* Ability to create a welcoming and friendly environment
* Ability to multitask and acknowledge all who approach the booth
* Ability to manage the line and accurately check guests out
* Welcome CSA subscribers picking up at the market always trading for last week’s empty bin
* Knowledge of all offerings we bring to market including produce, our signature wine line up, rotating canned beer, and the happenings in the taproom to share with folks
* Ability to pour samples of both wine and beer (we will pay for you to get your WA MAST Permit)
*Desired Qualifications:*
Wildland Coop is seeking a Farm Hand and Farmers’ Market Lead who is extremely detail oriented and motivated to participate in an efficient and human powered market garden.
* Clear and direct communication and cohesion within the crew is highly prioritized
* Team members must be able to listen to one another and collaborate together
* Ability to work on a team and maintain speed and efficiency without distraction
* Ability to focus and work independently, follow instructions and ask questions when needed
* Knowledge of organic farming systems
* The work is mostly physical; anticipate standing for long hours, lifting and carrying at times over 40lbs, bending, crouching, walking, etc.
* Work in all weather conditions
* Experience with customer service and interaction, farmers’ market experience would be great
* Ability to always be on-time and ready for work
* Ability to commit to the full season
* Responsive to feedback from peers
* A reliable method of transportation, valid driver’s license and clean driving record required
* Good math skills to manage till and give correct change
* Applicant must be 21 years of age or older
* See yourself working within a Worker Owned Cooperative and take on the responsibilities that follow
*Benefits:*
* Pay at $18-20/hour depending on experience + share of tip pool
* Weekly paychecks
* Paid sick time accrued per hour worked as required by law
* Potential to become a Worker Owner after the season where you can then begin receiving patronage dividends
* Farm food and on-site beer and wine is available throughout the season, as is a discount that can be used within the Wildland Taproom and Market for art, merch, dry goods, and more
*Wildland Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity of expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We highly encourage those who identify as BIPOC, queer, and refugee status to apply.*
*If you are looking to positively connect with our community, impact our local food system, gain connection to the land, and be a part of a growing, diverse, worker owned business,*_ *please send us a cover letter and resume, as well as an optional one or two recommendations*__*by April 10th to taproom@wildland.coop. Please indicate in the subject line the position you are applying for. *_
*We will begin reviewing applications on April 10th, 2025.*
*Thank you for your interest; we are excited you are here!*
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour
Schedule:
* 8 hour shift
* Every weekend
Work Location: In person