Farmer Training Program Participant Position - Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming

Description:

Position Available: This is a paid position as a seasonal, part-time trainee in Groundswell’s
Farmer Training Program for the 2022 growing season, based in Ithaca NY
Application Deadline: Monday, December 13th, 2021 by 12pm ET
Position Start Date & End Date: March 14th - October 13th 2022 (7 months)
Employment Status: This is a part-time, 20hr/week position
Compensation: $20/hour, paid every two weeks

Benefits: 4 personal days, 4 paid vacation days on July 4th-7th, 2022. Participants are
provided with workers compensation. Health benefits are currently not available for this position.
Groundswell Center for Local Food & Farming is an agriculture education and food justice
nonprofit based in Ithaca, NY and serves the broader Finger Lakes area. Our core work, based
on goals outlined in our Equity Statement, is to foster a thriving next generation of sustainable
farmers and growers by addressing common barriers to land access, resources and business
ownership.

Launched in April 2021, The Groundswell Farmer Training Program was designed to create
an inclusive environment that addresses the needs of BIPOC beginning and aspiring farmers. It
was developed through a multicultural lens with our Advisory Committee and was revised based
on feedback from the 2021 program graduates.

COVID: Expectations and guidelines regarding COVID are subject to change based on
New York State & CDC requirements. Apprentice participants should anticipate wearing a
mask indoors at all times during the program, using PPE, and following social distance
precautions when feasible.

Travel & Accessibility: Groundswell can work with hired participants on a situational basis to
support transportation for all program-related travel. This includes transport to and from the
partner farms and on any field trips. Carpooling amongst the 2022 cohort is encouraged. The
main education site at the Incubator Farm (Rachel Carson Way, Ithaca NY) is accessible by
bus. At this time, we cannot accommodate housing, childcare, or translation services.
Summary of the Program: This is an introductory agriculture program with a focus on
hands-on vegetable production, basics of livestock farming, and exposure to various farm
enterprises in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. Through farm tours, speakers, and
discussion, the program will explore the social and environmental impacts of agriculture. The
program will also speak to some of the historical and present day structural issues that impact
the food system.

Is the Farmer Training Program right for me? This program is designed for someone with
little to no experience in agriculture, looking to explore different avenues into farming and the
food system.

Topics that will be covered over the 7-months include but are not limited to:
● History of land theft, slavery and racism in the food system
● Present day inequities in agriculture such as labor, access,and wages
● Soil and plant health
● Environmental impact relating to agriculture and various methods
● Vegetable and herb production
● Farm terminology and introduction to botany
● Food harvesting, handling, and distribution
● Livestock basics
● Introduction into various types of farm enterprises
● Practicing healthy mental and physical stamina
● Basic introduction to farm business through visioning and goal setting

Breakdown of Schedule:
The program will run for 20 hours per week, Monday-Thursday for 5 hours per day. Start time
will be between 8-9 AM and ending between 1:30-2:30 each day.
Each day trainees will have 30 minute unpaid lunch breaks, and a paid break in the morning and
afternoon. Trainees will be expected to bring lunch each day.
Example of a typical week:
25 % (5 Hours): Classroom Education & Field Trip Days
Typically on Mondays:
Days include: Classroom time covering key topics for the week, guest educators,
field trips, group and personal check ins and reflections
25% (5 Hours): Partner Farm Education Days
Typically on Wednesdays:
Days may include: Partner farm site maintenance ie. weeding, animals chores, observation
and exposure to partner farms practices and methods, trainee visioning and goal setting
50% (10 Hours): Hands on Training on Groundswell Farm Education Space
Typically on Tuesdays & Thursdays:
Days include: Hands on learning and maintenance in the farm education garden site, Planting
seedlings, weeding, Field walks, Harvest days, etc

What is expected of trainees?
● Fully commit and participate in the entire 7-month program and respect guidelines as
outlined in the first week of orientation
● Communicate if there is a reason why you are unable to attend
● Come prepared to work and learn each day, physically and mentally, and be ready for
any weather conditions
● Arrive on time and fill out timesheet on a daily basis
● Adaptable to being in a variety of different work and educational environments
● Provide regular verbal and written feedback on the program and engage with potential
future program development

People Best Suited for this Program Ideally:
● Are 18 years or older
● Have a strong desire to connect or reconnect to the land
● Are willing and able to work in tiring and imperfect weather conditions, do physically
repetitive tasks, and spend extended periods of time outside
● Have a strong desire to learn how about sustainable practices that replenish natural
resources, build soil health, and treating animals humanely
● Have a desire to learn about livestock farming and interest to be around animals
● Are open to participating in conversations around the historical context to our food
system as it relates to racism, land theft and colonization
● Are interested in working in the field of agriculture and/or food systems in the future
● Are open to learning about different farming practice, methods, ethics and lifestyles
● Have direct communication with others, able to express needs and concerns, and
provide feedback within a small cohort setting
● Respect a wide range of people, cultures and backgrounds

Find more information and the application on the Groundswell Center website .

Application Deadline: Monday, December 13th, 2021 by 12pm ET

Thank you for your interest in Groundswell’s Farmer Training Program
Website: Groundswellcenter.org - Email: [email protected] - Call: 607-319-5095