our good friend Zoë asked us to pass along word that her farm is looking for a new farmhand! family owned, draft horses, veggies + fruits, and the glorious oregan countryside-- what are you waiting for?

Flora Valley Farm is a diversified fresh market farm in Langlois, Oregon, located on the (very) rural Southern Oregon Coast (70 miles north of California, 45 miles south of Coos Bay, 2 miles east of Hwy. 101). We grow over 100 varieties of vegetables, berries, flowers and orchard fruit for sale to local restaurants, retail stores, our 80+member CSA, and to u-pickers. Ours is a family operation, comprised of my mother (Betsy), my sister (Abby), and myself (Zoë). Zoë has a team of draft horses that she uses for tillage and cultivation on the farm, in addition to use of the tractor. The farm is not certified organic, but fully subscribes to organic growing practices and principles.
We are in search of a full-time employee who will work primarily with Zoë on the farm (see job description below), and who might also be employed by Valley Flora for bi-weekly produce deliveries.  The job will begin Spring 2010 (ideally early April). Ideally, we are looking for someone who wants to make a minimum two-year commitment to the farm and would prefer someone who could make at least a three-year commitment.

This is an ideal position for someone who has completed a farm apprenticeship or two, is passionate about farming, and wants to move up into a salaried, mid-range farm job. Part of our mission is create employment opportunities on the farm that fall into the “journeyperson” category – a job that is better paid with a higher level of responsibility than an apprenticeship, and well-suited to someone who wants to gain more skills and experience before starting their own farm. Our goal is to pay a living wage so that our employee can save a little, provide exposure to every aspect of running the farm business, and create a fun, rewarding workplace. We would love to find someone with the skill set listed below, but would also hire someone who has less experience and then provide them with more on-the-job training if they were willing to commit for a longer chunk of time.
We emphasize to all applicants that the farm is in a remote corner of the state, rich in natural beauty and wildspace but isolated from major cities (Eugene is 3 hours north, Portland is 5 hours north, San Francisco is 9 hours south). We have a wonderful little community in Langlois, but it’s probably not the place for someone who craves the thump and bustle of nightlife, high fashion, or city bling. Honestly, sheep outnumber people by the thousands where we live. Whoever comes to work with us needs to know that, and be good with it.
To apply, please email the following to [email protected]:

• A cover letter that describes why you want to work at Valley Flora, plus:
  • What's the hardest work you've ever done?
  • What stresses you out at work?
• Resume
• 2-3 references

 
Or send it by mail:
Zoë Bradbury
PO Box 91
Langlois, OR 97450
Application deadline is rolling, though we encourage folks to get us their applications early in 2010 while things are calm on the farm and we have more time to review candidates. We will accept applications until we find the best fit, so the sooner the better!