Farm Crew

Description

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a Farm Crew in the EPR Department to be based at CBF's Clagett Farm located in Upper Marlboro, MD.

THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION

Established in 1966, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the largest regional nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to saving the Chesapeake Bay, its rivers and streams, and the wildlife that call it home through education, advocacy, litigation, and restoration. Since 2010, CBF has engaged in a focused effort to defend and implement the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint, a binding federal and state collaborative agreement aimed at reducing pollution to the science-based, legally-affirmed levels established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Blueprint is expected to be fully implemented by 2025. If the states and the federal government achieve Blueprint goals, the Bay will finally-after decades of failed efforts-be removed from the Clean Water Act's impaired waters list. Successfully implementing the Blueprint depends on a well-informed, engaged, active, and diverse constituency of members, advocates, and volunteers who speak up and take action to save the Bay.

CBF has a staff of approximately 230 employees working in offices in Annapolis, Maryland; Richmond and Virginia Beach, Virginia; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C. as well as 14 field education program locations. Our staff and volunteer corps work throughout the region educating students and adults, advocating for clean water policies, restoring waterways, and litigating when necessary.

CBF's headquarters office in Annapolis, Maryland is the Philip Merrill Environmental Center, the world's first U.S. Green Build Council's LEED platinum building. In 2014, CBF opened the Brock Environmental Center-one of the world's most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings-in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

CBF has an annual budget of approximately $30 million and is supported by over 200,000 members and e-subscribers. For more information on CBF, please visit cbf.org.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

Environmental Protection and Restoration

CBF's Environmental Protection and Restoration department defends and restores the Chesapeake Bay by protecting the Bay's natural resources from pollution and other harmful activities by fighting for strong and effective laws and regulations; restoring the Bay's essential habitats and filtering mechanisms; and involving citizens in CBF's environmental efforts by recruiting, training, and incorporating them as effective partners and leaders.

CONTEXT OF THE POSITION

The Farm Crew will work at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Clagett Farm, which is located just a few miles east of the D.C. Beltway in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. At Clagett Farm, we raise grass-fed beef cattle, native trees for stream restoration, organic vegetables and fruits. Farm crew members will work primarily on the vegetable operation. Every week for 6 months, we distribute about a third of our produce to food pantries. We sell the rest for our 250 members through a marketing system called Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). We rely on help from a large number of volunteers and people who work for produce.

Requirements

• Assist the Vegetable Production Manager in the sowing and tending of seedlings, and maintenance of field crops while using organic methods.
• Harvest of field crops in compliance with Farm Food Safety Plan and FSMA standards.
• Wash and display produce for our customers for on farm and remote CSA pick-ups. Assist with distribution.
• Help with questions and requests during customer pick-up.
• Guide seasonal farm staff and volunteers/groups with activities such as spreading straw mulch, weeding and harvesting.
• Use tractors to prepare fields, plant, cultivate and harvest.
• Keep records of activities, inputs and harvest weights to facilitate ongoing Organic Certification.
• Oversight of the Bruce Cleland herb and flower garden.
• Keep work areas clean and tools organized.
• Assist with overall farm operations as appropriate. Tasks will be delegated based on skillset, prior experience, and growth opportunities.

PREFERRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Experience in intensive, organic vegetable production; ability to lift 50 lbs. If no farm experience, other useful work experience can include any outdoor work in hot, difficult conditions, fast paced labor, such as in a restaurant, and working with volunteers and the public.