Please email a cover letter, resumé, and the contact information for three references as a single PDF to [email protected] – include the name of the position in the subject line of your email. Applications may also be mailed to: Seed Savers Exchange | Attn: Human Resources | 3094 North Winn Rd. | Decorah, IA 52101.

Farm Coordinator

Compensation: $17/hour

FLSA Status: Non-exempt
Position Status: Regular, Full-time
Reports to: Farm Director
Supervisory Role: No

Seed Savers Exchange is a non-profit organization based in Decorah, Iowa focused on conserving and promoting America’s culturally diverse but endangered garden and food crop heritage for future generations.

Primary Role:

This position supports Seed Savers Exchange through the work of onsite seed productions of open-pollinated, heirloom varieties. With a focus on assisting with field preparations, transplanting, field maintenance, seed harvesting, and seed processing, this year-round position also includes propagation in the greenhouse, as well as seed packaging and supporting with order fulfillment duties in the winter months.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Sowing, watering, fertilizing, and transplant maintenance in a greenhouse setting
Transplanting and direct sowing of seed bank and catalog production crops
Mulching with hay, landscape fabric, and black plastic to maintain soil health and decrease weed pressure
Maintaining production areas by mulching, weeding (manual and mechanical), weed whipping, and intercropping with cover crops
Hand watering with a water tank as needed
Monitoring crops for disease and insect pressure
Following organizational protocols to ensure genetic purity and varietal maintenance of production crops
Performing wet and dry seed harvesting and processing; this includes seed extraction, seed cleaning, threshing, winnowing, and conditioning
May be required to direct staff and/or be a point person on specific farm activities throughout the season
Maintaining accurate field planting and harvest records
Occasional weekend care of greenhouse crops
Tearing down fields at the end of the season, including trellises, fencing, landscape fabric, isolation cages, etc.
Other duties as assigned by the Farm Director or Field Coordinator

Seed House Duties & Responsibilities: November through April

Picking and packing seed packet orders for shipment
Fill retail seed packets by hand, as well as assist with machine packing

Physical Requirements

Ability to work in varying weather conditions
Ability to stand, kneel, walk, climb, push, and pull for extended periods of time
Ability to lift up to 100 lbs. (assisted) and lift/carry at least 50 lbs. (unassisted)

Qualifications

Experience with organic vegetable, flower, and/or herb production preferred
Applicant must be an enthusiastic, detail-oriented, flexible team player
Ability to keep accurate, detailed records in a fast-paced work environment
Applicants must have reliable transportation to and from work
Applicants must have a valid driver’s license
Demonstrated self-direction and ability to work alone
Demonstrated teamwork and ability to do group tasks
Ability to follow specific protocols and safety procedures

Benefits

PTO & Holidays
Life insurance and long term disability (paid for by the company)
Employee merchandise discounts
Medical, dental and vision insurance available
Retirement benefits with company match
Wellness program with annual stipend and paid wellness day

Seed Savers Exchange is an equal opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to apply. Seed Savers Exchange does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, mental or physical disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or any other basis prohibited by law.