Listing Information

Currently Hiring

Yes

Number of Workers Sought

5

Type of Farm

Hay & Forage, Grain, Vegetable, Fruit/Orchard, Other

Marketing Strategy

Wholesale, Education, Other

Paid

Yes

Pay Rate

$15/hr

What are the dates of your position?

*Start: between April-June End: August-October 31th. *these dates may be modified for the right candidate

Are you open to shorter periods of employment or do you prefer that workers stay the full season?

Shorter periods of employment possible

Explain the room and board arrangements or describe options in your area

Housing is the responsibility of the applicant. Property management companies, rooms for rent, etc.

Do you have a website, social media account, or job posting anywhere else?

Yes

Online Listing URL

https://agresearch.montana.edu/warc/Employment.html

Describe yourself, your family, background, farming experience, philosophy, goals and interests

Western Agricultural Research Center (WARC), situated on 29 acres of irrigated farmland in the Bitterroot Valley in Western Montana, is one of seven MSU Agricultural Experiment Stations (MAES). The MAES mission, established in 1893 by state statute, is “to conduct and promote studies, scientific investigations and experiments relating to agriculture, natural resources and rural life, and to diffuse information thereby acquired among the people of Montana.” Each center focuses on regionally specific aspects of Montana agriculture, providing evidence-based and unbiased outreach and education to Montana producers.

WARC is the only center focused specifically on horticulture, specializing in high-value specialty crops, fruit and vegetable production, local food security and increasing sustainability and economic returns for small acreage operations. The station also conducts important research on row and forage crops, labor and labor efficiency, the complexity of the small business aspects of value-added products and start-to-finish operations.

Describe the physical setting of your farm and the nature of the community in which you live

Western Agricultural Research Center (WARC), situated on 29 acres of irrigated farmland in the Bitterroot Valley in Western Montana, is one of seven MSU Agricultural Experiment Stations (MAES). The MAES mission, established in 1893 by state statute, is “to conduct and promote studies, scientific investigations and experiments relating to agriculture, natural resources and rural life, and to diffuse information thereby acquired among the people of Montana.” Each center focuses on regionally specific aspects of Montana agriculture, providing evidence-based and unbiased outreach and education to Montana producers.

Describe your farm operation

We are a research facility so different than a traditional farm. WARC is the only center focused specifically on horticulture, specializing in high-value specialty crops, fruit and vegetable production, local food security and increasing sustainability and economic returns for small acreage operations. The station also conducts important research on row and forage crops, labor and labor efficiency, the complexity of the small business aspects of value-added products and start-to-finish operations.

Describe the work to be performed by applicant

Job tasks vary depending on the season, weather, and research needs:

Collecting data in crop variety trials
Harvesting fruit, vegetable, and cereal crops
Pruning, grafting, and fertilizing fruit crops
Controlling weeds and pests
Managing irrigation
Maintaining lawn and landscaping
All seasonal employees must be able to perform the following essential functions:

Working independently as well as part of a team
Repeated stooping, bending, crouching, kneeling, and reaching high and low
Remaining standing or seated and stationary for long periods
Walking (up to several miles per day) to different parts of the property and in sometimes muddy fields
Lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 lbs across the length of a field
Using hand tools such as shovels, rakes, and hoes, and power tools such as weed whackers, drills, or reciprocating saws
Being exposed to extreme weather conditions (e.g., cold, heat, and sunshine—supervisory staff do their best schedule field work during the coolest parts of the day in midsummer and assign indoor tasks during inclement weather)
Driving farm vehicles, including trucks, tractors, and lawn mowers (appropriate training is provided for specialty farm equipment)

What do you expect of a worker?

Our workdays typically run from 8 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday with two 15-minute breaks and 30-minute lunch. Occasionally this schedule will shift depending on harvest needs and weather. Work here can be physically demanding, so we expect our workers to be able to stay on the move all day. We make reasonable decisions about tasks in heat or inclement weather.

Describe the learning and educational opportunities available to a worker

Western Ag is a branch research station for Montana State University. As such, we are happy to provide as many educational opportunities as possible for any worker interested. We encourage asking questions about the research goals to do a better job in your work.

Are you a full-time farmer?

Yes

Describe what other occupation(s) you have

Research and education

Please attach any photos of your farm and operation

Type of Farm (Other)

Agricultural Research Center

Marketing Strategy (Other)

We are an agricultural research facility & market our limited produce to value-added product producers