Ferry Boat Seeds is currently hiring for the 2024 season! We're in search of one Assistant Farm Manager (full-time/year-round employment offered but less is also possible) and several part-time Field Hand positions.
Ours is a small crew where every member counts. We care about our employees’ wellbeing and strive to create a welcoming and safe work environment where roles are aligned with the individual skill sets and preferences.
Do you have a passion for seed, excellent attention to detail and experience in commercial agricultural production? Please consider applying to work with us.
Scroll down for job descriptions and application instructions.
Please note: housing is not provided and employees must have, or be able to secure, housing prior to starting. We can offer introductions and ideas to support the search for housing.
Ours is a small crew where every member counts. We care about our employees’ wellbeing and strive to create a welcoming and safe work environment where roles are aligned with the individual skill sets and preferences.
Do you have a passion for seed, excellent attention to detail and experience in commercial agricultural production? Please consider applying to work with us.
Scroll down for job descriptions and application instructions.
Please note: housing is not provided and employees must have, or be able to secure, housing prior to starting. We can offer introductions and ideas to support the search for housing.
Assistant farm manager
Location: Friday Harbor, WA
The Assistant Farm Manager will help run our certified-organic farm operation, working alongside the owners to manage the production and cleaning of a range of vegetable and flower seed crops on six acres at our home farm, as well as 3-5 off-site locations. Tasks will include, but are not limited to, helping plan, manage and execute crop production tasks, seed harvest and cleaning, crop and seed inspection and detailed record keeping. At times, this position will also be responsible for managing a small (1-4 member) team of part-time field crew.
WORK SCHEDULE
Year round (except February); 32-40 hours per week; Monday through Friday. Our typical workday is 9am to 5pm with a 30-minute paid lunch and work-breaks, with potential for flexibility in schedule.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Help plan and execute seed crop production activities including:
REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
COMPENSATION
The Assistant Farm Manager will help run our certified-organic farm operation, working alongside the owners to manage the production and cleaning of a range of vegetable and flower seed crops on six acres at our home farm, as well as 3-5 off-site locations. Tasks will include, but are not limited to, helping plan, manage and execute crop production tasks, seed harvest and cleaning, crop and seed inspection and detailed record keeping. At times, this position will also be responsible for managing a small (1-4 member) team of part-time field crew.
WORK SCHEDULE
Year round (except February); 32-40 hours per week; Monday through Friday. Our typical workday is 9am to 5pm with a 30-minute paid lunch and work-breaks, with potential for flexibility in schedule.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Help plan and execute seed crop production activities including:
- Greenhouse transplant production
- Direct seeding and transplanting
- Field prep (mostly using tractor and plow, disc, harrow, and rototiller)
- Manual weeding
- Mechanical weeding with walk-behind and cultivating tractors
- Setup and management of drip and overhead irrigation systems
- Careful cleaning of field equipment to reduce risk of transporting crop disease and weed seed between sites
- Crop inspections and pest management, including application of organic-approved pesticides; being aware of the importance of good sanitation and other practices to prevent plant pests and diseases
- Seed harvest, including manual and mechanical swathing and threshing
- Mechanical and manual threshing
- Cleaning seed utilizing a variety of equipment including air-screen cleaner, draper, gravity table, decorticator and Winnow Wizard
- Maintaining a clean working environment and ensuring equipment is thoroughly cleaned between seed lots
- Keeping careful records
- Inspecting seed to ensure it meets quality standards; preparing seed samples for moisture, germination and purity testing
- Packing and shipping seed
- Keep detailed daily records of activities
- Tool and equipment maintenance including small engines and seed cleaning equipment.
- Infrastructure improvement, including basic carpentry
- Farm maintenance (mowing, weed-whacking, general cleanup)
- This position will require flexibility as business needs and tasks vary with season, crew availability, weather and general growing conditions.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Positive and collaborative attitude
- Excellent attention to detail
- Ability to work independently, in close collaboration with the owners, and with a small crew
- Ability to prioritize and complete tasks efficiently
- Ability to accept direction and respond to feedback
- Ability to manage a crew of 1-4 team members in basic production tasks, including providing direction and feedback in a constructive manner
- 1+ years experience working in production agriculture
- Basic tractor operation skills and familiarity with farm equipment
- Ability to work outside for extended periods in hot, cold, dry, wet, windy, dusty (but often also very pleasant!) weather conditions
- For seed cleaning, applicants must be comfortable working inside for extended periods in a loud and dusty environment (appropriate Personal Protective Equipment is provided)
- Ability to repeatedly lift 30 lbs
- Ability to stand, bend, crouch and squat for long periods of time
- Ability to use spreadsheets for record keeping and keep detailed notes of activities throughout the work day
- Valid driver’s license for travel to offsite locations and supply runs
PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience with seed production and long-term interest in the seed industry
- Experience with farm equipment maintenance and repairs
- Research or academic background in plant breeding, agronomy, botany, plant pathology, or related field.
COMPENSATION
- This position is hourly; compensation varies DOE: $20.00 - $28.00
- 30 minute paid lunch break during regular scheduled workdays
- Paid vacation and sick time (each accrued at 1 hour per 40 hours worked)
- Access to Washington’s Paid Family Medical Leave benefit
- From time to time, free organic produce and flowers from the farm
- Ongoing training and professional development, including access to professional development funds
- $100 stipend for dedicated Ferry Boat Seeds footwear
Ready to apply? Click here!
fIELD HAND
Location: Friday Harbor, WA
Field Hands will assist with seed production and cleaning tasks to produce vegetable and flower seed crops on six acres at our certified organic home farm, in addition to 3-5 off-site locations. Tasks will include, but are not limited to, assisting with day-to-day crop production, seed harvest and cleaning, and detailed record keeping. Field Hands will work under the direction of the owners and Assistant Farm Manager, both independently and as part of a 2-4 member team.
WORK SCHEDULE
Seasonal (April-November); 8-32 hours per week; Monday through Friday. Our typical workday is 9am to 5pm with a 30-minute paid lunch and work-breaks. For this position there is considerable potential for flexibility in schedule including days and hours per week.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Help with crop production activities including:
REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
COMPENSATION
Field Hands will assist with seed production and cleaning tasks to produce vegetable and flower seed crops on six acres at our certified organic home farm, in addition to 3-5 off-site locations. Tasks will include, but are not limited to, assisting with day-to-day crop production, seed harvest and cleaning, and detailed record keeping. Field Hands will work under the direction of the owners and Assistant Farm Manager, both independently and as part of a 2-4 member team.
WORK SCHEDULE
Seasonal (April-November); 8-32 hours per week; Monday through Friday. Our typical workday is 9am to 5pm with a 30-minute paid lunch and work-breaks. For this position there is considerable potential for flexibility in schedule including days and hours per week.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Help with crop production activities including:
- Greenhouse transplant production
- Direct seeding and transplanting
- Manual weeding
- Mechanical weeding with walk-behind tractor
- Installing and tending of drip and overhead irrigation systems
- Careful cleaning of field equipment to reduce risk of transporting crop disease and weed seed between sites
- Seed harvest, including manual and mechanical swathing and threshing
- Mechanical and manual threshing
- Cleaning seed using a variety of seed cleaning equipment including air-screen cleaner, draper, gravity table, decorticator and Winnow Wizard
- Maintaining a clean working environment
- Ensuring all equipment is thoroughly cleaned between seed lots
- Packing and shipping seed
- Keeping detailed daily records of activities
- Maintenance of farm headquarters (mowing, weed whacking, general cleanup)
- This position will require flexibility as business needs and tasks vary with season, crew availability, weather and general growing conditions
- Depending on skill level, basic operation of field and cultivating tractors
REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Positive and collaborative attitude
- Excellent attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and in a small crew
- Ability to accept direction and constructive feedback
- Ability to prioritize and complete tasks efficiently
- Ability to work outside for extended periods in hot, cold, dry, wet, windy, dusty (and often very pleasant!) weather conditions
- For seed cleaning, applicants must be comfortable working inside for extended periods in a loud and dusty environment (appropriate Personal Protective Equipment is provided)
- Ability to repeatedly lift 30 lbs
- Ability to stand, bend, crouch and squat for long periods of time
- Ability to use spreadsheets for record keeping and to keep detailed notes of activities throughout the work day
- Valid driver’s license for travel to off site locations and supply runs
PREFERRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in commercial agriculture.
- Experience with seed production.
- Experience with tractor operation.
COMPENSATION
- This position is hourly; compensation varies DOE: $18.00 to $22.50
- 30-minute paid lunch break during regular scheduled work days
- Paid sick leave (accrued at 1 hour per 40 hours worked)
- Access to Washington’s Paid Family Medical Leave benefit
- From time to time, free organic produce and flowers from the farm
- $100 stipend for dedicated Ferry Boat Seeds footwear