Market Farming

["Shelley Pasco" <whistle AT halcyon.com>]

Title: Farming Position available in WA

Thought I'd send this out in case anyone needs a job this year.
Shelley
Whistling Train Farm
Kent, WA

=====  A message from the 'wsffnet' discussion list  =====

Dear Friends,
Please circulate this around quickly. We would like to put someone on the
land by early March. The lawyers held up the cooperative agreement so we
are late in getting this out.
Steven

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

TITLE: Farmer (or farm couple/family)

LOCATION: The City of Edgewood is a small rural town just 10 miles
Northeast of Tacoma, WA and 30 miles South of Seattle. The Nelson Farm has
a 1925 3-bedroom home, out-building, and barn on a 10.4-acres. The farm is
surrounded by farms, homes, woods and wetlands and has a commanding view of
Mt. Rainier. The farm is part of the City of Edgewood parks program.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

A major threat to agriculture in the urbanizing counties of the Puget Sound
is the conversion of farmland to non-farm uses and development. One
response is the training of farmers in methods of agricultural production
and distribution that provide more money per acre such as organic direct
marketing and high value niche crops. Organic production can, among other
beneficial societal purposes, be more compatible with water quality
concerns in our area.

We are seeking an experienced farmer or farm couple/family to start a model
farm in the spring of 2000 at the Nelson Farm. The farm would demonstrate
methods of organic direct-market production for farmers, farmer ìwannabes,î
youth, and the general public. Most educational duties would be the
responsibility of the partner agencies: the Tahoma Food System, WSU
Cooperative Extension and the City of Edgewood rather than the farmer(s).

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Building raised beds, using drip tape or other low water input system.
2. Creating a diverse production schedule of vegetables, herbs, and small
fruits.
3. Creating value-added on-farm products and/or high value crops
4. Integrating chickens or other small livestock into the production.
5. Other duties as needed to create a small organic farm.

JOB EXPECTATIONS:
The successful candidate(s) will bring the most resources with them
including farm implements, years of experience and specific education,
number of hours available to work on the farm, etc. In exchange, the
farmer(s) will get to keep all of the proceeds from the farm. The house and
farm will be available rent-free with a lease agreement between the City Of
Edgewood and Tahoma Food System. Some utilities may have to covered by the
farmer(s) such as telephone, cable, etc.  Potential candidates need to
realize that the soil is not prime bottom land and would need some development.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Required:
1. At least three years experience in organic farming, preferably in direct
marketing. Strong  preference given to experience operating a Community
Supported Agriculture farm.
2. Good communication skills, hopefully including the ability and access to
e-mail.
3. Ability and desire to get along with lots of different folks. "Plays
well with others."

Desired:
1. Farm couple with both working on the farm (children are welcome).
2. Ownership of farm tools and implements.
3. Experience working with or for a public educational farm.
4. Some academic horticultural training.

APPLICATION SCREENING: Screening of application materials begins February
2000. The position to be filled in early March, 2000.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Apply by sending a letter describing how your
experience and training meets the qualifications for this position and
three current letters of reference to: Steven Garrett at sgarrett AT wsu.edu.