Farmer in Middletown, NJ

OASIS Therapeutic Life Centers, Inc is seeking a full-time farmer to help fulfill our mission to promote inclusion and acceptance of autistic individuals into their local communities by establishing environmentally exemplary farm centers that provide meaningful work, peaceful and healthy residences and community interaction.

We have created a farmstead model to provide services for adults on the autism spectrum. Our Program involves a two-step process that begins with a transitional program (after high school) offering instruction in the areas of independent living, social skills, language comprehension and usage and vocational training. The next step is to assist clients to move forward into their adult lives by providing residency and employment connected to the farm and farming activities.

We are seeking a skilled farmer to continue to develop our farms into operational sustainable farms and to grow our Community Supported Agriculture Program at which we can employ apprentices of our program. This position will require instructional and practical experience working directly with other staff to carry out the daily program activities for our clients as it relates to farming. This is a full time/ year-round position.

We have two sites with a combined total of 15 acres in Middletown, NJ, of which approximately a half an acre is fenced for vegetable production. In addition to our CSA, this position will ensure produce is also available for residents of the farm, weekly tea service or breakfast café, small scale on-site farm store, and of site for local restaurants and community partners.

Main Responsibilities include, but not limited to:

1. Select and purchase supplies and equipment such as seed, and farm machinery.
2. Install, maintain, and shift irrigation systems to irrigate fields evenly or according
to crop need.
3. Perform and oversee crop production duties such as crop planning, crop rotation,
soil preparation, surface tilling, seeding, seed starting, transplanting, application
of plant food foliar sprays, weeding, harvesting, produce handling and storage,
pruning, composting, cover cropping, pest management etc, all in an ecologically-
sensitive and organic-minded manner. 4. Manage fully operational CSA including communication with shareholders,
preparation of shared for pickup, data collection for OASIS tlc and governmental
agencies. 5. Operate a greenhouse to create a four- season growing environment.
6. Monitor crops as they grow to ensure they are healthy and are free from diseases
and pests.
7. Maintain Records for when and what applications are applied and other logs
relevant to farm food safety plan.
8. Work with our instructors to teach farming practices to our clients.
9. Obtain, train and supervise farm interns for summer operations.
10. Operate and perform minor repairs/maintenance of farm machinery to cultivate,
harvest, and haul crops. 11. Train staff and clients in the farm food safety, monitor compliance and
implementation of the farm food safety plan to meet governmental regulations
for OASIS’ farm operations. Update annually and as needed to meet changing
regulatory requirements
12. Complete Department of Agriculture and NJ Farm Fresh surveys related to crops.
13. Assist in marketing at local farmers markets and local restaurants and floral
shops
14. Provide end of season summary to include total yields, what worked, what failed
and why, and a summary of associated costs.
15. Work with the organization Board and Farm & Property Manger to coordinate
the years activities.

Qualifications
2-3 years in organic farming. Relevant further education subjects such as AgriculturalEngineering; Agriculture; Botany; Crop & Plant Science; Environmental Science; Horticulture; Soil Science. Experience working with individuals with disabilities is a plus but not required.

Special Requirements

Will require significant physical effort to operate farm.

As a provider of services to individuals with disabilities, there will be pre-employment training and background checks as required by the state.

Valid Driver’s License

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 – $20.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Health savings account
• Paid time off

COVID-19 considerations:
As a provider of services to individuals with disabilities, we are required to follow state mandates regarding COVID-19 precautions which are currently tied to the local infectivity rates. Screening is still required for staff and clients.

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Middletown, NJ: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• Farming: 2 years (Preferred)

Work Location: One location