2023 Farm Crew Application

Full Time Applicant Schedule: 

 Monday -Thursday, + Saturday (Sunday and Fridays off, with occasional 3 day weekends rotating Saturday market position) 40 hours a week. 8-10 hour days (depending on peak season v shoulder season) 8-5 with a one hour unpaid lunch

April- mid of November

June-October ( positions available as well) 

ABOUT US:

Mama Bird Farm is a 5 acre organic vegetable farm located on San Juan Island in Washington State.

We specialize in growing heirloom tomatoes and baby greens, with a smaller focus on mixed veggies and cut flowers. Mama Bird is managed by Mara and Lars (3 year old daughter Otana), with 3-5 seasonal farm crew positions. We are a family farm, with Mara’s parents and sister living close by. There are dogs, horses and a good movement of kind friends and family surrounding the work environment. San Juan Island is a beautiful place to live with a close community, tourist town in the summer, and gorgeous ocean and sea life surrounding. 

We are looking for someone who wants to farm on a produce and flower farm! Ideal candidates have high stamina and can work quickly and efficiently. Are highly motivated, positive, detail oriented and a strong team member. Ideal candidates can work hard physically inside a warm hoop house as well as outdoors in all weather, work alone or on a team, aware of surroundings and job details, work while they talk, and values a positive work environment. 

Responsibilities:

This position is a field crew/ post harvest washing/ packing/ delivery position.

• Pruning/ harvesting tomatoes
• Planting/ harvesting/ washing baby greens
• Field preparation/ transplanting/ harvesting cut flowers 
• Irrigation, drip, over- head and spraying with organic spray (pyganic) 
• Assist at weekend farmers markets 
• Deliver produce to local restaurants and grocery stores
• End of year clean up 

Requirements:

• Ability to lift 30 pounds repeatedly
• Valid Drivers License (transportation to get you to work)
• Ability to take direction, stay on task, work quickly and efficiently
• Ability to work and talk at same time 
• Attentive to the care of equipment and all life on the farm 
• Communication skills and ability to transfer information to others
• Social skills/ kindness- while on delivery and farmers market
• Work alone and in a team
• Note: farming is physically demanding and requires repeated bending, lifting and standing. We do require that you are able to take care of your body and physical needs as an individual by dressing properly, hydrating, practicing good ergonomics, and taking time to eat snacks. We also require that you are able to take care of your emotional and mental needs as individuals by communicating with us and your team and being honest with your goals and limitations. Once the season begins,  we are all in this together!

Compensation:

An hourly rate $16 starting wage (raises given throughout season if employee demonstrates proficiency)

Employees are allowed and encouraged to take home all produce and flowers from the farm. With 

Employees who return for multiple seasons will receive an annual performance-based raise 

A bonus is typically given to employees who work the entire duration of the season. This is not promised, but strived for 

Work Schedule/ details:

• Work starts at 8:00am to 5:00 pm with an unpaid 45 min to hour lunch break.
• Show up ready to work, breakfast on your own time. 
• Bring your own lunch and snacks
• Hat, water bottle, sunscreen etc.
• Clothes to get dirty in, clothes for all weather, clean clothes for washing and delivery
• Timeliness. We ask that you are on time and ready to work by 8 am

No- thank you’s:

• No dogs at work - don’t ask please
• No drinking or drugs on job
• No SMOKING- cigarettes cause disease problems for tomatoes ( you cannot smoke cigarettes at all if you apply for this job)

Housing: 

We don’t offer housing at this point, however can help set you up with finding a spot for the season. 

To Apply: 

Complete the Field Crew Application for Employment. If you have a letter of recommendation, even better! 

email:

mamabirdfarm@gmail.com

Or mail to: 

Mama Bird Farm

404 Hoot and Howl Lane

Friday Harbor, WA, 98250

Field Crew Application for Employment Mama Bird Farm

Please send this application to the above web or mailing address. Applications will be reviewed and responded to ASAP

Today’s Date:_______________________ 

Full Name:_____________________________________________________________

Address:______________________________________________________________

PhoneNumber(s):_____________________________________________________

Email:__________________________________________________________ 

How old are you?____________________ 

Are you eligible to work in the United States?_____________________ 

1. Where did you hear about possible employment opportunities at Mama Bird Farm?

2. Why do you want to work at Mama Bird Farm and why do you think you would be a good fit? 

3. Are you able to work the days and hours indicated above? Please indicate if a certain day will not work for you. 

4. Are you flexible with the hours that you work, if some weeks we have more or less, will that be an issue? 

5. Do you have any vacations planned? If so when?

6. Do you have farming experience? if so when, what were your jobs and where? 

7. What education have you completed? 

8. Do you have experience doing repetitive tasks for long periods of time? If so, what was the job? How would you rank your efficiency when it comes to doing repetitive tasks? 1-5 (1 = low, 5 = high) 

9. How do you do working outside in extreme weather conditions (ie. Rain, Hot Greenhouse? 

10. Briefly describe any customer service experience you have. Do you enjoy customer service? 

11. What do you think will be the most challenging aspect of working at Mama Bird Farm? 

12. Do you have any health conditions, recurring injuries, recent accidents, etc. that would prevent you from doing strenuous physical labor? Please list all of them below. 

a) Can you repeatedly lift 50 lbs? 

b) Can you repeatedly bend over and stand up, without getting dizzy or straining yourself? 

c) Can you kneel for long periods of time? 

d) Can you stand in one place for long periods of time? 

13. Do you have reliable transportation and a current driver’s license? 

14. Are you willing to commit to the farm for the season?

16. Where are you from and what have you been up too? Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Please provide the following information for your three most recent employers or people of reference 

Business Name: 

Supervisor’s Name City, ST: 

Phone: 

Begin & End Dates: 

Job Title: 

Why Left: 

Business Name: 

Supervisor’s Name City, ST: 

Phone: 

Begin & End Dates: 

Job Title: Why Left: 

Business Name: 

Supervisor’s Name City, ST: 

Phone: 

Begin & End Dates: 

Job Title: 

Why Left: 

15. Please list contact info for three professional references: 

16. Please include additional information (skills, aptitudes, interests, hobbies etc.) that would be useful to know as we consider your potential employment. 

______________________________________ _______________ 

Applicant’s Signature                                                  Date