[Common Ground Cooperative]

Common Ground Cooperative

15/12/2019 at 12:18 pm #23871

Berry Farm volunteer grower position
Feeling the need to create a better world from the grassroots? Interested in starting a box scheme, or joining a community? Passionate about the politics behind food production and developing agro-ecological alternatives to conventional agriculture? Apprenticeship grower opportunity for the 2020 season. Work and learn with us at our co-operative-run farm in the Waveney Valley. Own space, board, £50pw pocket money and all the veg you can eat.

Berry Farm is a co-operatively owned and run 20 acre mixed holding in the Waveney Valley. We run a veg box scheme (approx. 30 boxes plus a restaurant), have orchards, cattle and woodland. This year we’re hoping to continue expanding our veg box scheme and start up a small glamping site. We’re looking for someone keen to join us for the growing season (1st April-mid November) to work on all aspects of the veg box scheme, from sowing and growing, to harvesting and marketing. There will also be opportunities to work with our cattle and in the woodlands throughout the year, and to learn to drive a tractor and use different implements.
Opportunity to stay and become a full co-op member at the end of the season for the right person.
Deadline for applications: 1st Feb
Email: Becky at info@greengrow.org.uk
http://www.greengrow.org.uk

We’re looking for someone who:
– has some (but not necessarily lots) of growing experience and an interest in learning more;
– has a practical, problem-solving approach to working;
– has enthusiasm;
– is interested in working co-operatively;
– will work five days a week, core hours 9-3 (or 30 hours a week); .
– will lead work with wwoofers at least one day per week;
– is interested in agro-ecology and creating resilient local food systems;
– feels positive about becoming part of, and contributing to, our community.

What we’re offering:
– accommodation
– half-board and £50 week pocket money
– hands-on experience of working co-operatively to produce vegetables for sale;
– working with you to identify what skills you would like to develop and how we can support you in acquiring them (e.g. tractor driving, crop planning, marketing, polytunnel working);
– a friendly and supportive environment and the opportunity to get involved in wider aspects of our community;
– the opportunity to take on responsibilities in, and develop, your areas of interest on the farm.
– 12 days holiday across the period.

The post would be from the first week of April until the middle of November

Process
We’re asking people to come up with a couple of paragraphs about themselves, why they’re interested in joining us, and what they would like to get out of their time here. If you’re more comfortable talking on the phone than writing, get in touch and we can arrange a time to speak.
We will then invite people who look like they could be a good fit to come and do a trial couple of days. The aim of this is so we can get to know each other, they can see how we work, and how things are here with us, and we can work out whether we all suit each other. We aim to have someone chosen by the beginning of March at the latest.