Details

Posted: Thu, December 4, 2025

Compensation: $18/hr start with raises depending on performance and profitability of the farm, CSA box of vegetables, opportunity to participate in on-farm cooperative hog and broiler raising operation. Ithaca, New York job

Phone Number: 301-525-5188

Email: hannahhelfert@gmail.com

Nook and Cranny Farm is a small-scale, intensive, highly diversified, and community-oriented organic vegetable farm located 12 miles from Ithaca, NY. For many years the farm has supported a 100-member CSA as well as sales at three or four farmers markets per week. We grow over 50 types of vegetables on about 3.5 acres of cultivation, including hundreds of different varieties. We strive to increase soil fertility through addition of rock amendments and compost to permanent beds, diverse cover cropping, and significant mulching with hay. This is not a large-scale organic farm, but an intimate affair on a human scale and guided by agroecological principles. We farm primarily by hand and with smart use of two-wheeled BCS tractors and implements. Over the past 25 years of stewarding this land, we have built rich soils teeming with life and high levels of organic matter, developed a strong on-farm community, and financially supported ourselves while serving our local food system through a three-season CSA and partnerships with many local food equity and access organizations.

The farm is currently in the midst of a multi-year evolution of our business model. Ultimately, we hope to continue the for-profit production farm under a group-managed cooperative model. Although we will always primarily be an intensive vegetable farm, we hope to expand to include rotational livestock raising. We are also working on developing a not-for-profit endeavor that will focus on teen employment and sustainable regenerative ag-education, as well as continue to build partnerships with community food pantries and food equity organizations. The farm is growing, and we are open to including the right person in its evolution.

We are currently looking for one (possibly two) full-time farmers for the 2026 season. As well as being employed, this is an educational position, with significant direct instruction in the field, greenhouse, or at markets to learn all techniques needed to run the farm. The farmer/apprentice will be involved with all aspects of small-scale organic vegetable production, including greenhouse work, bed preparation, field planting, cultivation, trellising, pest management, harvesting, hoop house construction, irrigation system set-up, poultry and hog management, CSA share distribution, market and retail sales, customer service, crew management, and business planning. Expect a fast-paced work environment with an ever-changing set of priorities to keep up a hyper-managed small farm that sends out $4 – $6000 of vegetables a week and employs up to 12 people some days. Be open to learning new ways of doing things and to teaching other crew members farming techniques.

No farming experience needed but desirable. No formal education required but completion of a college degree or military service is desirable. Must be able to work up to 40 hours a week over 4 or 5 days, including at least one day of attendance at a local farmer’s market. Must have a clean New York State Driver’s License (or get one shortly after arriving if coming from out of state). Must be an open-minded, personable, and friendly crew member. Must love working with people (of all ages), plants, and animals. Must thrive on hard physical labor. Must be committed to eating real food, living simply, and being waste and energy-conscious.