Listing Information
Currently Hiring
No, not at this time. Please check back next season!Number of Workers Sought
2Type of Farm
VegetableMarketing Strategy
Community Supported Agriculture, Farmers' Market, Restaurant, WholesalePaid
YesPay Rate
Pay rate is $12-$16/hr depending on experience.Do you have a website, social media account, or job posting anywhere else?
YesOnline Listing URL
https://www.hootowlfarm.net/jobsDescribe yourself, your family, background, farming experience, philosophy, goals and interests
Hoot Owl Farm is owned and operated by Bonnie and Rudy Geber. We believe in eating fresh healthy food whenever possible and bringing more local produce options to our community. We've gardened together in Libby since 2006 and began growing commercially in 2017. We grow organically, strive to improve the land and the ecology that we steward, and we value hard work and community involvement.Describe the physical setting of your farm and the nature of the community in which you live
Our farm is located 13 miles north of Libby on Hwy. 37. It's tucked right up into the hillside on a flat adjacent to the Kootenai River. We're very close to Libby Dam, Lake Koocanusa and the Fisher River, and the Cabinet Mountain Wilderness is on the other side of town. Libby is a small town, but does offer some wonderful restaurants, activities and events and you really can't do any better than our location if you enjoy the great outdoors.Describe your farm operation
We grow a wide variety of vegetables for restaurants, grocery stores, farmers markets, and our CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) members. We attend the Farmers Market at Libby on Thursday afternoons 3:00-6:30 PM. We utilize outside field space, two large unheated hoop houses, one heated greenhouse, and one heated plant nursery. Our main farm area is about 1 acre of growing space within a 2-acre fenced area and is worked using mostly hand tools and intensive market gardening techniques. We have high standards for production and quality; our goal is to be profitable on small acreage by providing high quality produce to our customer base as efficiently as possible.
Describe the work to be performed by applicant
All employees will participate in many aspects of on-farm activities - see below for details. A Full time Farm Worker will learn the ins and outs of the farm's operation and will become familiar with all aspects of our business from seed to sale. Part time Farm Workers will be more geared towards harvesting, washing and packing produce, but may assist in any farm related tasks.Farming is a job requiring many skills and responsibilities; time will be spent in start-to- finish vegetable production. Some or all of the following tasks will be required of the position:
Bed preparation, Transplanting and direct seeding, Cleaning and sanitizing of equipment, Irrigation management, Preventative management for weeds, pests, and disease, Customer Interaction and sales, Record keeping, Construction and maintenance of on farm infrastructure, Seedling production, Driving, Hoop house management (pruning and trellising), Harvest and storage of vegetables, Processing and packaging of vegetables for various points of sale, Order preparation and delivery, Mowing / weed whacking, Fencing, Moving tarps and sand bags
What do you expect of a worker?
We are looking for 2-3 people to join our team for the main growing season beginning in April and lasting through October (date range is flexible depending on positions filled). Full and part time positions are available. Hours will vary as the seasons change; full time farm positions will be 35-40 hours per week and part time positions will be 10-20 hours per week. The pay rate is $12-$16/hour, depending on experience.This is a very active physical position that is mainly outdoors in all weather conditions. It requires one to be moving, kneeling, lifting, pulling, bending and other strenuous tasks throughout the day. Good physical condition is therefore mandatory, we are hiring for a labor position on a production farm.
We expect the following:
Commitment to a full season in good faith
Lifting up to 50 pounds comfortably and safely
Ability to work independently
Good attitude in all working conditions
Reliable transportation to the farm
Valid driver’s license
Legal ability to work in the US
Workers are entitled to 5 un-paid planned days off during the season.
Vegetables will also be used as additional compensation.
Describe the learning and educational opportunities available to a worker
Workers will have a variety of learning opportunities. They will frequently work with one or both of the farm owners and are welcome to question and discuss the farm's history, processes, challenges and strategies. Workers will also work with peers as well as independently. The farmers are very hands on and will adapt teaching strategies to ensure that workers understand concepts and can work effectively and efficiently.Are you a full-time farmer?
YesDo you require a trial period or require a prospective worker to visit your farm before hiring?
YesTrial Period Description
We do not require that a worker visit our farm, though we may request that they do so if it's feasible for an interview. We will conduct phone or in person interviews prior to selection. There will also be a six-week probationary period starting at the hiring date.Explain the room and board arrangements or describe options in your area
No housing is provided. There are limited housing opportunities very near to the farm location, but in Libby (13 miles) there are rental locations.Please attach any photos of your farm and operation
Please share three things you think people should know about living with you.
We want to have fun AND work hard at the same time!We value open communication - if there's a problem bring it up.
Teamwork makes the dream work!