[Kirstin Lamotte]

Kirstin Lamotte

02/03/2021 at 4:17 pm #48518

Due to a change of plans we are re-advertising this role, a little later than we would have hoped.

Guardswell Grows is a market garden based in rural Perthshire, Scotland. Guardswell Grows has been producing veg for the local community for the past 2 seasons- and has a particularly interested and supportive customer base. Guardswell Grows fills the brilliant honesty box farm-stand at Guardswell Farm, as well as operating a successful box scheme, attending local farmers markets and supplying a few local shops/restaurants.

We are looking for an enthusiastic head grower/growers, who are keen to take over the already established chemical-free, mixed vegetable farm- and run with it for a 6 month period over the 2021 summer season. The head grower(s) will run all aspects of the farm including sowing, planting, plant care, harvesting, packing, sales etc. This is a brilliant opportunity for anyone who has been working on farms for a few years, and is keen to take the next step towards running their own.

The farm is located over two sites – at Grange and Kinnaird (approx. 5 miles apart)– with a large 21m x 30m glasshouse, a large 9m x 44m polytunnel as well as half an acre outdoor growing space, plus a small kitchen garden with beautiful greenhouse. Guardswell Grows is part of the exciting brand and agritourism business, Guardswell Farm – and the growers will be part of the existing Guardswell Farm team (very friendly!) for the duration of the project.

The ideal candidate(s) would be passionate about growing good food (for both us and the world), motivated, physically fit and have experience in growing veg organically (ideally with 2 seasons experience). They would also need a car as the growing is split over two sites.

This is a contracted project role, for 1-2 self employed individuals- however, we do feel that it would ideally suit two friends or a couple. The farm will be run on a project basis- where there will be a fixed payment for the project, based on a financial objective for the season, plus the opportunity of a bonus at the end of the season based on exceeding the financial objective.

The project will run from mid April to mid October- including a handover period with the previous head grower. The previous head grower will also provide weekly meetings throughout the season and is always happy to be at the end of the phone.

As this role is advertised for mid April and the season is underway – we have already sown plenty of seeds, as well as having created detailed bed plans which we can share – the new growers may wish to adjust these and make their own plans. There are also some existing crops in beds (i.e. garlic and winter greens).

The role includes accommodation for the duration of the project- including bills -in a lovely farm cottage.

For more information please drop an email to farm@guardswell.co.uk

Instagram: @guardswellgrows/@guardswellfarm
Website: http://www.guardswell.co.uk

Application closing date: March 19th 2021.