Seasonal Farm Assistant Job at Rodale Institute in Cornwall

The Seasonal Farm Assistant will support the Trailside Organic Farm operation with a range of farm, landscaping, and facility tasks. The scale of the farm is 2.5 acres, and a wide variety of produce, herbs, and cut flowers are grown on the farm property in Cornwall, PA. The Trailside Farm functions as a satellite production and education farm of the Rodale Institute. Rodale Institute conducts research, outreach and education for regenerative organic agriculture and our main campus has been a destination for inspiration to a large audience for several decades. The Trailside Organic Farm operates as a partnership between Rodale Institute and Cornwall Manor, a non-profit active senior living community in Lebanon County, PA. Cornwall Manor offers choices of apartments and homes as well as healthcare services to individuals aged 60 and over. Their mission is to provide the highest quality care, programs, and services for our residents. The focus of the Trailside Organic Farm is to grow fresh and local produce, herbs and cut flowers for residents and employees of Cornwall Manor, and this is all done on-site as farm-to-table. The farm is certified organic and adheres to strict organic growing practices. In addition to production, the Trailside Farm offers a resident volunteer program, workshops, events, tours, and a weekly farm market open to residents and employees.

The Seasonal Farm Assistant will play a critical role in the production of fresh, healthy farm products and to ensure that the site is maintained to the highest standards. Applicants should be driven, hardworking, and committed to organic agriculture practices. All candidates must be prepared to work in a professional environment, be respectful and outgoing toward residents, complete tasks carefully and in a timely manner, and work in all weather conditions. This position reports directly to the farm manager.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Seeding and transplanting crops
• Harvesting, washing, sorting, packaging, and delivering produce
• Working with cut flowers and herbs
• Pest scouting and management in the field, including applications of organic pesticides
• Installing irrigation, hoops, row covers, and insect netting in the field
• Trellising, pruning, and other field crop maintenance'
• Weeding
• Fertilizing and fertigating
• Running irrigation
• On-going landscaping, such as mowing, weeding, string trimming, planting, pruning, dead heading, etc.
• Assist with farm market sales, setup, and clean-up
• Willingness to engage with Cornwall Manor residents and discuss work
• Careful record-keeping for all field work, plantings, harvests, sales, and distributions
• Assist with facility maintenance such as painting, cleaning, washing, minor repairs, etc.
• Assist with establishing and maintaining ornamental beds and herb gardens
• Maintain, organize, and clean equipment, and storage areas
• Other duties and tasks as assigned
   

Preferred Experience & Qualifications:

• Previous gardening and/ or landscaping experience is preferred
• Experience with operating basic garden and landscape tools and equipment (rototillers, lawnmowers, string trimmers, pruning shears, etc.)
• Must be comfortable operating landscaping equipment
• Ability to work independently, multi-task and be a team player
• Must be comfortable receiving direction from senior farm operation staff
• Must be prompt, responsible and focused
• Willingness to work outside in all weather conditions
• Organized and attentive to detail
• Able to lift 50 pounds
   

Schedule: 

• Monday-Friday, April- October 2025
• Full-time or part-time opportunities available
   

Individuals must be committed to the farm’s success, and in turn, the farm will be committed to the individual’s success.

To learn more about Cornwall Manor, please visit: https://cornwallmanor.org/about-us/
 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, sexual identity or handicap.

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