Farm Coordinator

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 legacy for present and 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: 

• Paid holidays & PTO
• Long Term Disability & Life Insurance (paid for by the company)
• Employee merchandise discounts
• Wellness program with annual stipend and paid day off
• Medical, dental and vision coverage available
• Retirement plan with company match

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.