Job Opportunities

PART TIME CSA COORDINATOR:

Common Ground Farm is a non-profit organization based in Beacon, NY with a mission to support and engage our community by fostering access and connection to fresh food and local agriculture. On the farm we do this by growing vegetables for donation, hosting a U-Pick CSA, partnering with local community organizations, and hosting on-farm education programs. We actively cultivate about 4.5 acres of annual vegetables, herbs, and flowers, following organic practices, on 6.5 acres of land in Wappingers Falls, NY.

CSA Coordinator Position Description

The CSA Coordinator will report to the Farm Manager and is responsible for the following:

  • Staff the CSA check-in table on Wednesdays from 3:00pm - 7:00pm (4 hr/wk total) and on Saturdays from 8:00am - 1:00pm (5 hr/wk total)

  • Set up, maintain, and take down the CSA check-in table and field signs 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after every harvest session.

  • Greet and interact with CSA members and their guests in a friendly, welcoming manner during their weekly farm visits

  • Act as the point of contact for CSA Members and their guests for the duration of their membership and relationship with the Common Ground organization, answering any questions or concerns that CSA members may have.

  • Work alongside the Farm Manager to understand the details of each weekly share. This will be facilitated by attending a weekly field walk with the farm manager once a week (1 hr/wk)

  • Coordinate with the farm manager about CSA add-ons and hand-off items to CSA members at the check-in table.

  • There is the potential for the CSA Coordinator to additionally draft the weekly newsletter that goes out to CSA participants each week, depending on candidate’s interest. 

Job Schedule

The CSA Coordinator position will work 12 hours a week, beginning on June 9, 2025 and ending on October 11, 2025 for a total of 18 weeks. The CSA Coordinator must be able to staff the CSA check-in table on Wednesdays from 2:30pm - 7:30pm and on Saturdays from 7:30am - 1:30pm. 

Required Qualifications

  • Committed to Common Ground’s mission to support and engage our community by fostering access and connection to fresh food and local agriculture through farming, education, and farmers’ markets

  • Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

  • Organized and efficient

  • Strong work ethic; must be a self-starter

  • Punctual–must arrive ahead of CSA pickup start time, ready to work

  • Ability to work in all weather conditions, including bitter cold, sweltering heat, rain, and wind

  • Commitment to creating a safe and welcoming work space 

  • Prior farming experience is not required. 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in a public-facing role 

  • Excellent customer service skills

  • A love for vegetables and sharing them with others

  • Enjoys interacting with children and families

Compensation

This is an hourly position, paying $18/hr. You will have free access to farm produce (subject to crop availability).

Application Process

Send a 1-page resume, cover letter, and 3 references to Rhys Bethke, Farm Manager, at farm@commongroundfarm.org, with the subject “CSA Coordinator 2025.” Please confirm that your schedule availability lines up with our CSA harvest sessions. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

ComMON GROUND FARM CAMP STAFF:

At Farm Camp, kids learn through collaboration, exploration, imagination, and discovery. Children engage directly with farmland and the natural world and make their own culinary, scientific, and artistic creations with their own hands. Campers spend time in the garden, at the pond, in the field, in the barn, and along our nature trails. Kids develop new skills, make new friends, and grow an appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the natural environment within which we live.

Farm Camp runs from 9am to 3pm Monday through Friday, June 30 through August 22 (no camp July 4) at Stony Kill Farm, 79 Farmstead Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY. 

This year, Farm Camp is open to children ages 4 to 9 for the first three weeks and is open to ages 4 to 12 for the last five weeks. Children will be grouped according to age.

Farm Camp Counselor

Counselors support campers in all of their daily needs, from helping them feel comfortable at drop off, to making sure they stay hydrated throughout the day, to supporting and encouraging budding friendships, to helping kids get their things together at the end of the day.

Responsibilities include: 

  • Monitoring the safety of campers including sign in/sign out process, remaining aware of campers’ locations, assisting campers with safely crossing the farm road and following safety practices on the farm

  • Offering start and end of day activities for campers as they arrive and are picked up from camp, and activities for during the lunch hour

  • Ensuring that campers’ needs are met, including managing bathroom and water breaks, helping campers with snacks and meals, applying sunscreen and bug repellant, and helping to resolve minor conflicts between campers 

  • Managing campers’ belongings

  • Assist instructors in daily activities, including making sure names are on projects, distributing supplies, and assisting campers in completing projects

  • Assist in set up/clean up responsibilities for both their own group and the camp as a whole (wipe down tables, put away supplies, take out garbage, etc) as needed and as assigned

  • Participate in weekly staff meetings 

Requirements:

  • Candidates must have experience working with children

  • Candidates must be organized and energetic

  • Candidates must enjoy spending time with children. 

This position is 36 hours a week on-site, with the option of additional hours during before and after care.

This is a 36 to 40 hour a week, seasonal, paid position for the weeks of June 30 through August 22 plus up to an additional three days of training the week of June 23 through June 27. Starting rate is $16 per hour.

To apply, send a cover letter, a resume, and 3 references to Kate Sanderson at education@commongroundfarm.org. Please write Farm Camp Counselor in the subject line.

Farm Camp Instructor

Instructors develop the programming for our morning and some afternoon sessions. Our instructors are able to effectively and joyfully teach groups of approximately 10 to 12 campers about nature, food, farming, art, and animals. Educators who can bring a special talent to share with the camp community--such as musical ability, artistic creativity, love of the outdoors, etc. is a plus.

Responsibilities include: 

  • Developing age appropriate and fun lesson plans based on weekly themes (Themes this year include: Creatures on the Farm, Plant Pros, Future Farmers, STEM on the Farm, Natural Navigators, Growing Artists, Making a Farmers’ Market, Field to Feast)

  • Creating a weekly supply list for supplies needed for the next week of camp

  • Coordinating with the counselor assigned to the group to ensure all campers’ needs are met

  • Prepping materials and spaces to conduct lesson plans

  • Assist with daily clean up.  Which includes: putting supplies away, sanitizing areas, cleaning up messes made,. and participating in camp set up/take down responsibilities as needed and as assigned

  • Participate in weekly planning meeting

  • Participate in weekly staff meeting

Requirements: 

  • Instructors must have teaching experience and feel comfortable working with a variety of ages

  • Instructors must be able to write dynamic, experiential-based lesson plans

  • We are looking for instructors with a collaborative spirit who are able to work together as a team with our farm crew, the other instructors, and our counselors. 

The position includes 36 hours on-site plus 4 hours each week to plan and prep for lessons.

This is a full time, seasonal paid position for the weeks of June 30 through August 22 plus up to an additional three days training the week of June 23 through June 27. The starting rate is $19 per hour.

We are also looking for instructors who have specialized skills in art, cooking, science or outdoor skills to work with our oldest campers full-time for one week of camp.

To apply, send a cover letter, a resume, a sample lesson plan, and 3 references to Kate Sanderson at education@commongroundfarm.org. Please write Farm Camp Instructor in the subject line.

Common Ground Farm believes we are strengthened by the diversity of our staff, our board and our community and welcomes such diversity, including race, gender identity or expression, educational attainment, disability, and veteran status. We welcome applications from people of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences.