Job Description

Assistant Farmer (6315)

Location: Friday Harbor, Washington

Job Number: 6315

Aurora Farms is a 31-acre polyculture farm in Friday Harbor, San Juan Island WA, in the stunning Salish Sea and Pacific Northwest. Using many time-tested methods including organic, biodynamic, intensive pasture management and rotational grazing, we raise Katahdin Sheep, Boer Goats, Berkshire Pigs, Wagyu Beef and a variety of pastured poultry for both eggs and meat. We are growing a wide selection of produce and cut flowers for farmers market, local chefs, and our busy on-site farm store. The farm offers educational hands-on farm-stays, farm-to-table dinners, and hosts other educational workshops and events. We closely hold the many aspects of ART in both earth and agriculture, and in all of our individual and collective missions of our farm work.
Do you love the work you do or want to be doing in agriculture? Would you like to own your position/job and be trained to benefit from it like it is your own business? Would you appreciate the opportunity to be yourself in an ever-changing dynamic hard working fun environment with delicious benefits? Would you like to be valued for not only what you bring to the job, but shown appreciation and gratitude for learning the many new things a polyculture farm has to offer, trained by one of the most highly regarded farmers and agrarians for over 40 years?
We are now seeking 1-2+ people to work closely with the farm owner/manager to develop further the current multiple enterprises and income streams. The ideal candidate(s) will have some or more farm/ing experience with both vegetable crops and livestock. Must have excellent communication skills, be current and able to contribute to our social media/computer needs, interested in photography/promotion, be willing to learn/take direction, record-keeping skills, ability to lift 50+ pounds, and a willingness to work long hours in all kinds of weather, with regular time off. Tractor and carpentry experience preferred, or desire to learn and apply. This position requires a capacity to take initiative and work independently while also taking direction and maintaining accountability to the farm owner/manager who brings over 40 years of experience to this venture committed to training farmers to farm in a changing world and regional climate.
Responsibilities include, but not limited to (individually and as part of the working farm collective…)…continue developing a profitable year-round vegetable and cut flower enterprise on 3 acres of permanent gardens including 2-120 x 20 greenhouses, 20’x 40’ hot house , and a 20’x30’ propagation house. This includes developing tight succession-based crop plans and sowing schedules, setting up and overseeing irrigation, weeding, pest and disease management, harvest and post-harvest handling; participating in development of market outlets for produce and meat. Established markets include CSA, farmers market, local restaurants, on-site farm store, farmer-chef events, and farm-stays. Work will also include shared livestock responsibilities as well as general farm work, including pasture and fence maintenance, small construction projects, landscape and building maintenance, and over-all farm beauty. We excel at teaching you new skills to add to those you have! There is also an opportunity for the right person to be involve with our excavation company, and developing compost business with Brien.
On-site housing can be provided if needed in addition to salary, based on experience/learning balance. This is an incredible opportunity for an individual, individuals, couple or other to partner in a beautiful, productive farm. Owner has other partner farming operations, a successful design business and is nearing semi-retirement and seeking a long-term arrangement/s.
Please send resume/experience pertinent to this offer, past recent references, and contact (phone and email) information. Send to farm@aurorafarms.org. Please include a short essay on why this offering struck a chord in you, and why Joel S. and Wendell B. would be proud of you to be committed to farming as your future, today, in new models that honor old traditions, yet innovate for todays needs. Thank you for considering this as your next opportunity in agriculture.

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