Lynn Assistant Grower
What We Seek
We seek 6 individuals (3 per region- North Shore and Greater Boston) with a strong desire for and full investment in maintaining excellence in all aspects of our summer youth program, Seed Crew. We hold high expectations for our youth and, in order to foster their potential, we require our Crew Leaders to be strong role models.
Ideal candidates possess enthusiasm for working with youth, a commitment to The Food Project’s mission, a strong work ethic, and a good sense of humor. While our organization is deeply committed to building a sustainable food system, we do not require Crew Leader candidates to be well-versed in agriculture or food production systems. We do require candidates to have some workshop facilitation experience.
We seek candidates who are open to learning and engaging with The Food Project’s mission. The Food Project strives to create and support culturally diverse leader teams and candidates from all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities
Farm and Greenhouse Operations
- Support Lynn Farm Manager to accomplish and or delegate farm tasks, with quality and efficiency, including composting, bed preparation, mulching, planting, cultivation, and harvest.
- Collaborate with the Lynn Farm Manager to implement and troubleshoot new farm systems
- Assist in all aspects of greenhouse production and distribution related to our spring seedling sale. Cover weekend greenhouse watering, on a schedule TBD with the Lynn Farm Manager (one weekend per month.)
- Manage, with training, aspects of harvest, wash and pack
- Support the farm team to plant, mow, cultivate and harvest on TFP acreage at Reynolds Farm in Wenham
Volunteer & Youth Engagement
- Lead small groups of dedicated Work-for-Share volunteers in farm tasks for one to two mornings per week throughout the spring and fall.
- Partner with youth development staff to lead farm work with youth in The Food Project’s Seed Crew- an intensive six-week summer job for teenagers.
- Root Crew (Summer): During July and August, partner with youth development staff and with Root Crew, our more experienced youth, to run market harvest, washup, and complete more advanced farm tasks.
- Dirt Crew and Root Crew (Academic): On Saturdays in the spring and fall, support the Dirt Crew and Root Crew in working on farms and building garden beds in Lynn.
Market & Distribution
- Work with the Lynn Food Access and Education Manager and Lynn Farm Manager to take leadership on running The Food Projects' stand at the Lynn Central Square market.
- Support and/or implement weekly harvest and deliveries to our distribution partners throughout the growing season.
Organizational Health
● Participate in our justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives. Employee Benefits
● Prepare and participate in structured, regular feedback sessions.
● Participate in all-staff meetings, team meetings, and provide cross-department support.
● Participate in annual planning, budgeting, and performance review processes.
● Perform other duties as needed, within capacity.
Qualifications
This position is ideal for an individual who is interested in both sustainable agriculture and community engagement. It is well-suited for someone with at least one full season working on a vegetable farm, who is ready to take on a leadership role as part of an urban agriculture team. Candidates who have a passion for market gardening, food justice, and youth development will be an asset to the team. Our farms are run in partnership with youth and community members, therefore a candidate must have a passion for teaching and leading others, particularly young people.
Our youth and neighbors reflect the tremendous cultural, racial, and socio-economic diversity of the city of Lynn and surrounding neighborhoods. Candidates with experience working in diverse settings are strongly preferred.
● At least one full-time season of experience on a production farm or educational farm.
● Excellent interpersonal communication skills and energy for engaging with other people.
● Dependable, responsible, flexible and open to learning.
● Ability to work a flexible 40-hour schedule: Tuesday-Saturday in the spring and fall, Monday-Friday in the Summer.
● 21+ years of age with a valid driver’s license and clean driving record (required for use of TFP vehicles)
● Ability to work both independently as well as in a team environment.
● Consistent work ethic and pace throughout the farming season.
● Enthusiasm for working with teenagers; prior experience teaching or leading youth in outdoor settings is a plus.
● Experience leading groups safely and productively.
● Experience working in multicultural community settings.
● Team-oriented with a good sense of humor; able to work independently.
● Knowledge of the Lynn community is a plus.
● Being bilingual in Spanish, Russian, or another language is also a plus.
● CPR and First Aid certified or willingness to be trained
● Able to pass a CORI/SORI background check
Location & Schedule
This is a full-time 40/hr a week, seasonal position from April 1st– November 21st, 2025, with a seasonally f luctuating Tuesday through Saturday/ Monday through Friday work week.
● Daily schedule will be 7:00-3:30 with a half hour unpaid lunch/rest break and a paid break time.
○ There is the possibility of starting at 6:30am and ending earlier during peak summer heat waves.
Recruitment Process
Please send resume and cover letter via email to: jobs@thefoodproject.org. In the subject line, write your name and the position for which you are applying, eg: “Jordan Smith – Full JOB TITLE”.
We will review all submissions, identify viable candidates, and contact ONLY those individuals selected to continue in the search process. The position will be filled when a desired candidate is found.
The Food Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to creating an inclusive organization. We actively seek a diverse pool of candidates for this position.