Open positions

Open positions for 2023

If you are interested please email a resume and cover letter to upriverorganics at gmail or check our indeed.com page and apply there

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We are a small farm 30 minutes east of Springfield along the beautiful McKenzie River. We actively manage 8 acres of annual vegetable crops, ¾ acre of greenhouse crops, and 5 acres of perennial fruits, mainly blueberries. We employ a large team of skilled farmers, drivers, marketers and support staff that all work towards a common goal of growing a large amount of exceptional food for our community. 

We market our produce through a small number of grocers, a farmers market in Eugene, a farm stand at the farm and our weekly produce shares (CSA) 

We farm 3 unique parcels all within 3 miles in our narrow river valley. We farm a diverse range of fruits and vegetables with an emphasis on carrots, cucumbers, blueberries, winter squash and tomatoes. We also farm some interesting crops such as asparagus, melons, strawberries, cauliflower, figs and much more. 

We have a mature farm with developed systems and set expectations. That being said, we have lots of potlucks, shared desserts, and a strong social community surrounding the work. 

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2023 Farm Equipment Operator-–Part time to Full time  

We are seeking a skilled individual that can operate our assorted equipment, with the flexibility to step into irrigation, our field crew for harvests and/or infrastructure projects as time and weather allows. We farm on three parcels of land, 4.5 miles apart, with 3 different irrigation systems. This position works solo 2-3 days a week but interfaces with other crew leads and works with the field crew on harvests at least two days a week. 

Equipment Operations  (+/- 50% of time)

• Equipment

  • Operation of 3 field tractors, 2 cultivation tractors, manual transmissions, riding mowers, string trimmers, 1-ton trucks, and trailer towing.

 

• Implements:

  • Manure spreader, spin spreader, chisel plow, tiller with bed shaper, plastic and drip layer, bed lifter, loaders, mid mount and rear cultivators.

 

• Duties

  • Coordinates daily/weekly tasks with farm owner.

  • Field prep: includes chiseling, tilling, spreading compost, spreading amendments, bed shaping, plastic and drip laying, plastic lifting.

  • Mechanical Harvesting: operating bed lifter, potato digger and potentially other harvest equipment.

  • Cultivation: Maintain fields free from weeds using basket weeders, shovels, etc. 

  • Berries/orchards Management: Mulch & compost spreading, brush pickup, mowing, weeding. 

  • Material Handling: Trucking, loading and unloading of produce, equipment etc.  

 

• Basic maintenance and troubleshooting for equipment listed above.

• Potentially helping coordinate and lead an equipment/irrigation Apprentice

 

Irrigation Operations (+/- 10-15% of time):

• Work with Irrigation Operator lead to assist in running irrigation. 

• Run and perform basic maintenance on 3-4 different pumps, sand filters, suction and discharge lines at three field locations

• Install, maintain and operate drip tape and hand lines for overhead irrigation (3 & 4” aluminum pipes) on 8 acres of mixed vegetable crops.

• Assist to maintain and operate drip tubing on 5 acres of berries and other perennials. 

 

Other Field work (+/- 25-30% of time):

• Setup/remove trellising for crops

• Fix or repair infrastructure

• Work with field crew on harvest, weeding, transplanting, etc. 

 

Skills and experience

• 2+ years experience with operating various tractors and implements is required. 

• Basic maintenance of equipment knowledge is a must

• Ability to problem solve in the field is a must. 

• Farming experience is desired 

• Organic fruit and vegetable farming desired but not required

Start Date:  July

Schedule:

• Full-time, seasonal

• Mainly Monday-Friday; Some weekend work irrigation work, usually 4-6 hrs,1-2x month during height of summer, depending on weather & irrigation needs, shared with Farm Owner. 

• Some other farm work on weekends if weather allows no other option. 

 

• Possibility of winter/year round work depending on skills, flexibility and availability.

 

April-May: 24-40 hrs/week, weather dependent

June-October: 32-40 hrs/week

November-December: 32 hours per week

January-March TBD

 

Compensation

$16.50./hr 

$1 minimum raise earned every 2,000 hrs/worked

 

Benefits

Farm store 25% discount as well as access to lots of produce

$250 educational stipend

After 2 years employees qualify for retirement with 2-3% employer match.

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Farm Stand Staff

We have a small farm stand located in the suburbs of Leaburg. We are hiring one staff member for a seasonal, part time position. 16-32hrs/week. This position will run from  May 24th September 4th.

 You must know your fresh vegetables and be great with visual displays. Keeping things fresh, clean and well displayed is essential. This position also requires strong customer service skills. Experience in retail and cash handling is a must. Experience in a produce department, natural food store, cooking experience, gardening, etc are all helpful. 

 

Qualifications

• Cash Handling Experience

• Produce handling

• Merchandising/displaying

• Customer Service experience.

 

Roles

• Opening and closing farm stand

• Stocking produce

• Making attractive displays

• Assisting customers with their purchases.

• Quality control of fruits and vegetables

• Packing special orders

• Processing produces for freezing, drying and juicing. 

• Packaging value added items. 

• Grounds maintenance around the farm stand. 

• Field management of U-pick fields. 

 

Compensation

• $15/hour

• 25% Discount Off Farm Stand goods. 

• IRA with matching contributions after two years.

• Lots of free produce. 

If you are interested in applying for this position. Please send a resume and cover letter to upriverorganics@gmail.com.

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