BIODYNAMIC HERB FARM TEAM MEMBER
Do you enjoy physical work, both outdoors and indoors, and working with the earth and plants? Do you have an interest in herbs and organic/biodynamic production horticulture?
A new opportunity exists to join our Farm Team and help us grow the medicinal herbs that we use in all areas of our natural medicine business. This position is not suited to seasonal or temporary workers. You must be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident.
We are looking for someone who:
* has a keen interest in gardening and organic/biodynamic production horticulture
* has an interest in herbs and herbal medicine
* has a strong work ethic, strives for excellence and productivity
* has an eye for detail and is willing to learn, take directions and apply instructions
* is strong and robust, with good physical fitness and endurance
* is happy working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, and also enjoys working indoors
* has a caring attitude, is considerate, and can integrate and work closely with a small team in a collaborative workplace culture
Primary Duties and Tasks
* Soil care, ground work and preparation to organic and biodynamic standards
* Crop propagation by seed or division and seedling planting (by hand)
* Weeding and crop maintenance (much by hand, using various hand tools and some mechanical equipment such as the rotary hoe)
* Ongoing harvesting of various herb crops from October to July (by hand or using various hand tools such as reaping hook, scythe, flower comb, digging fork) and washing root crops
* Drying herbs and processing of dried herbs, including screening, milling and packaging
* Maintaining quality control for each process and ensuring consistency of product
* Participating in record keeping, crop planning, ordering and stock management to supply the Apothecary with dried herbs and tinctures
* Compost making on a large scale using the tractor with frontend loader and hand layering of ingredients; spreading compost onto crops
* Basic hand tool operation and maintenance; maintaining and cleaning premises and equipment
* Setting up, operating and maintaining irrigation (gravity‐feed dam water to mostly sprinkler irrigation system)
* Operating tractors and other machinery in a mindful and safe manner (training will be provided)
* Assisting with ongoing farm maintenance and development, including fencing, machinery maintenance and repair, drainage, cultivation, mowing etc.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
* Genuine interest in the work and the farm, including experience in organics/biodynamics/biological growing methods
* Appreciation of herbal medicine and a love of plants
* Good manual skills and the ability to learn a wide range of new manual tasks and techniques
* Ability to perform a large variety of tasks in a complex workplace
* Current driver's licence and reliable transport
* Ability to operate, or learn to operate, farm machinery – tractors, rotary hoes, mowers – safely and productively for extended periods
* Ability to work with supervision, guidance and feedback, yet capable of working independently and participating in collaborative decision making and management of the farm
* Keen to work within the farm's organic and biodynamic practice model and paradigm
* Computer literacy – competency with Excel desirable
Desirable
* Horticultural training and qualification – an advantage, but not essential if the applicant has relevant experience
* Previous experience of commercial organic or biodynamic growing and/or horticultural farmwork
* Sound knowledge of basic herb varieties
* Other farm‐relevant skills or experience (e.g. welding, farm machinery maintenance and repairs, fencing etc.)
Pay and Working Conditions
* Must be available to stay on an ongoing, long‐term basis
* Work 4 to 5 days a week – average 32 to 38 hours per week
* Generally, 8:00 am to 8:30 am start – around 5:30 pm finish; longer hours may be necessary during busy periods
* Willingness to take no significant holiday breaks and be available for occasional weekend work from the beginning of September to the end of February, as this is the farm's busiest time
* Pay rate: In accordance with the Horticultural Award 2020 – Casual Level 1 $30.35 hr, Level 2 $31.19 hr, Level 3 $32.04 hr. After 6 months, conversion to a permanent position would be available
Location: Allens Rivulet, Southern Tasmania. Goulds Natural Medicine Biodynamic Herb Farm is a 20‐hectare certified biodynamic property that includes 1 hectare of medicinal herbs.
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