Speaking Seasonal Farmer:

Gael Roots Community Farm in Livingston Manor, NY is hiring a Seasonal Farmer to join our small team to help with field production for our 2026 season (May - October)

Gael Roots is a nonprofit organization working at the intersections of farming, agricultural education, food access, and expanding  fiber arts in the community. We are located on 150 acres of land encompassing pastures, forest, and new garden spaces. Operations include growing vegetables for our own pay-what-you-can farmstand and for a community food pantry we founded in 2025 with the Calliope on Main Foundation, growing dye-plants, raising heritage breed sheep for fiber, raising highland cows, and teaching workshops on agriculture, foraging, traditional folkways skills, and fiber arts. The farm is often bustling with neighbors, activists, artists, and community members. 

Now in our fourth year of operations, we are expanding the growing space to include a 1 acre fenced in vegetable field and build irrigation pond and system.  We are looking for the right person to join our vision and team! Do you share our values and of this unique environment. Previous farming experience is required. We encourage you to apply if you feel you are a fit.

Application deadline March 20, 2026. Position will be open until filled. 

Compensation:

• $18-$23/hour, commensurate with experience

• We’re looking for someone who can work close 35 hours a week during the season  

Key Responsibilities**

• General farm activities: Working with the farm team to grow vegetables and herbs, move animals, run the farmstand, and prepare for educational programs.

• Crop Production: Sowing seeds, transplanting, cultivating (weeding), harvesting and managing irrigation. 

• Pest, Disease and Soil Health Management: Using foliar sprays and soil amendments to grow nutrient dense vegetables.  Working with microbial life and building soil. 

• Planning & Record-Keeping: participating in the planting schedules, tracking crop performance, and managing inventory and production. 

• Farmstand and food pantry: making sure produce is harvested and prepared for the pay-what-you-can farmstand and food pantry. 

• May include weekend work at farmstand

• Continuing to create and build hoop house production, washing and packing station, vegetable cooling and food storage methods. 

• This is a management role (with mentorship for questions and learning),  and collaborating with the small farm team. Managing includes volunteers and part time interns and garden operations.  

• Season: May 1 to October 31st (negotiable)

Essential Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience: Proven experience on production-scale vegetable farms is desired. Educational or other food access nonprofit farms is a bonus. 

• Self Directed and Motivated: Being able to anticipate and follow through on necessary tasks, initiating work you see needs to happen is vital. 

• Physical Stamina: Ability to perform demanding, repetitive physical labor in various weather, lifting heavy items (at least 50 lbs such as compost bags or haybales).

• Knowledge: Understanding of crop cycles, soil health, green manures and organic growing principles 

• Collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively with the farm team, volunteers, and our high school interns  

• Work Ethic: Self-directed, detail-oriented, efficient, timely, with a strong work ethic and positive attitude.

• Can work independently, without supervision

• Must have a valid driver’s license and car 

• Communication Skills: Ability to communicate across generations and cultural differences.

• Not required but is desired, skills such as carpentry, masonry or background in education

Valuable:

• Has a passion for healthy food cooking and feeding others in a community learning setting 

• Interest in long-term community development

Benefits:

• Potential of a private, off-grid cabin for housing (to be discussed)

• Fresh Produce

• Ability to learn from very experienced farmers/mentors and activists 

• Great community of farmers and neighbors in the area

• Access to over 150 acres of land for exploring during spare time 

**This is a new position and responsibilities will develop throughout the season based on need, interest, and competence. We will contact you for an interview.