Dayspring Farm Full-time Grower Job Description

We are looking to expand our core farm staff with another passionate full-time grower. This position offers steady employment year-round for someone who is looking to grow food as a career and be an integral part in operating Dayspring Farm. Prior farming experience is desired but not necessary. Those who are dedicated to sustainable agriculture and market growing will have a very rewarding experience in working with us.
Work Schedule: 5 days a week. Mon. - Fri. Normally 7am to 4pm. 40-45hrs a week
Starting pay at $17-20 an hour, with room for flexibility according to the applicant's experience and needs.

Full-time Grower Requirements:
Understands and supports the Mission Statement of Dayspring Farm. (Please read on page 2).
Passionate, committed, and efficient worker.
Ready and able to learn quickly.
Shows initiative and moves to the next task without being instructed to do so.
Proficient at problem-solving and overcoming obstacles as they arise.
Reliably on time for work and responsible for time use at work.
Able to communicate clearly and also able to pass on skills as learned.
Works well with a team or alone.
Able to prioritize and organize the tasks for each day effectively.
Enjoys working outside and can work well in the heat and cold.
Refrains from the use of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs while working at the farm.

Full-time Grower Responsibilities
Responsibilities will entail all aspects of sustainable market farming. Including, but not limited to:
Seeding, propagating, transplanting, weeding, mulching, trellising, pruning, harvesting, washing, packaging, storing, and delivering.
Operating the farm equipment: truck, tractors, walk-behind BCS, mower, trimmer, etc.
Setting up and operating irrigation.
Implementing organic soil health and pest management strategies.
General small business tasks: cleaning, taking trash and compost out, filling fuel cans, upkeep of grounds, helping with staff meetings, managing volunteers, staffing on-farm events, etc.
Farm field record keeping and crop notes.
Marketing and sales: generating invoices, cultivating customer relationships, and facilitating on-farm plant and vegetable sales.

Full-time Grower Benefits
2 weeks paid time off/vacation and unpaid days off as necessary upon request.
Worker’s Compensation Insurance.
Free access, for personal use, to all vegetables and fruits grown by Dayspring Farm
Flexibility in work hours throughout most of the year.
Family-friendly work environment free of all hazardous chemicals and other harmful substances.
Diverse education opportunities (e.g. marketing, food production, equipment operation, trade skills).

If this position interests you but certain qualifications or terms make you unsure if it would be a good fit, don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We would be more than happy to have a conversation about your concerns, and will strive to address any questions you may have. Also check out our part-time positions that are available at this time.
*Full-time Grower application Details on the next page*
Full-time Grower application Details
We will be accepting applications for our Full-time position from November 1st through January 10th!
Preferred start date before March 1st 2027. Early start possibility being 1st of the year.
Please send a letter of interest, resume, and three references to dayspringfarm@aol.com. We will then contact you to set up an interview. After your interview we will reach out to your references and if there is still sufficient mutual interest, we will ask you to come work with us for a day on the farm. We will then consider whether it is a good fit for both of us and if so, make you a job offer accordingly. We will give you two weeks to think it over and get back with us. Thank you so much for your interest and we look forward to hearing from you!
Dayspring Farm contact information: 942 Buena Vista Rd. Shacklefords, Virginia 23156
dayspringfarm.org - 804-785-9401 - dayspringfarm@aol.com

Mission Statement of Dayspring Farm

Dayspring Farm seeks to steward the land in an ecologically responsible and sustainable way as we provide excellent food and employment for ourselves and our community. We desire to honor the sacred in all living things, share our knowledge of the art of farming with others, create a place of health and love for our family, workers, and community as we contribute to a local, resilient food system. Dayspring also seeks to be a place for other expressions of artistic life including visual art, music, dance, and writing.

We seek to achieve this mission through:

Creating a work environment that attracts, nourishes and educates farmers committed to ecologically responsible growing practices that are sustainable for the land and the farmer. We do this through personal relationships, external farm networking and educational opportunities, and providing comfortable economic support for all our farm workers.

Using appropriate sustainable growing practices, both new and old, that align with our farm’s mission and supports a healthy lifestyle. These include caring for the soil, plants, and farmers through cover cropping, crop rotation, minimum tillage, intentional crop diversity, only using organic fertilizers and sprays, non-GMO seeds, and ergonomically conscious farming methods.

Employing honest, transparent, and relationship-based marketing that takes care of our customers and enables profitability for the farm.