2026 FarM camp staff
Farm Camp Instructors
Pay: $19.00 - $21.00 per hour
Job description:
Do you love teaching kids in a hands-on, outdoor environment? We’re looking for creative, collaborative, and dynamic educators to join our team as Farm Camp Instructors at Common Ground Farm. Instructors guide camper groups through hands-on experiences in gardening, nature exploration, food, art, animals, and outdoor skills—helping campers connect directly with the farm and surrounding environment. Much of the day takes place outdoors in the garden, field, and woods.
Each instructor leads a camper group of approximately 12–14 children and works in partnership with a counselor. Together, they support the group throughout the day and help ensure campers Instructors will be provided with lesson plans and materials for weekly STEM and art projects and will lead activities such as gardening, cooking (including over the fire and with induction burners), and nature exploration.
During orientation week, instructors will learn how to teach these lessons. They will also be given simple, adaptable recipes and shown how to use them to teach cooking skills based on what is available to harvest. They will also be shown basic gardening skills—such as planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting—and how to teach these skills to children.
Instructors are responsible for implementing activities with campers and adapting them as needed based on weather and available materials.
Afternoon choice time is also a great opportunity for instructors to share a particular interest or skill set. Instructors will plan and lead an afternoon choice activity (for example: art, sports, outdoor skills, crafts, or games).
Educators with experience or interest in gardening, outdoor and environmental education, art, cooking, or science, are especially encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities:
Learn and teach our lesson plans in areas such as art, STEM, cooking, and gardening
Lead and support a consistent camper group of approximately 12–14 children with your assigned counselor
Create and lead afternoon choice time activities
Manage supplies and maintain inventory by keeping materials organized, returning items to their designated storage areas, and noting supply levels so items can be restocked as needed.
Work with your counselor to make sure campers are supported and having a great time
Set up and prepare materials before each day’s activities
Help clean up each day, including sanitizing and pitching in with setup and takedown
Participate in short, twice weekly staff meetings
What We’re Looking For:
Teaching experience
Interest or knowledge in gardening, nature, food, art, science, or outdoor education
Comfortable learning and implementing lesson plans across several subject areas (art, STEM, cooking, gardening, and nature exploration)
A collaborative team member excited to work with other educators, counselors, and farm staff
Schedule:
Camp Dates: June 29 – August 21 (8 weeks)
Orientation: June 22–26
This position is 36–40 hours per week onsite, with the option of additional hours during before and after care.
Location: Wappingers, New York, Common Ground Farm
To Apply:
Please send a cover letter, resume, and three references to Kate Sanderson at education@commongroundfarm.org. Please write Farm Camp Instructor in the subject line.
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary, Seasonal
Work Location: In person
Farm Camp Counselors
Pay: $16.00 - $18.00 per hour
Job description:
Farm Camp Counselors support campers in all of their daily needs and play an important role in helping campers participate fully in camp activities—from welcoming them and ensuring they 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.
Counselors are assigned to a camper group and work closely with an instructor to support the group throughout the day.
Responsibilities:
Monitor the safety of campers including sign in/sign out procedures, remaining aware of campers’ locations, assisting campers with safely crossing the farm road, and following safety practices on the farm
Offer start and end of day activities for campers as they arrive and are picked up from camp, and activities during lunch and transition times
Ensure that campers’ needs are met, including managing bathroom and water breaks, helping campers with snacks and meals, applying sunscreen and bug repellent, and helping to resolve minor conflicts between campers
Manage campers’ belongings
Assist instructors in daily activities, including making sure names are on projects, distributing supplies, and assisting campers in completing projects
Assist in setup and cleanup 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 biweekly staff meetings
What We’re Looking For
Experience working with children
Organized and energetic individuals who enjoy spending time with children
Interest or experience in gardening, nature, art, cooking, or outdoor activities is a plus
Schedule:
Camp Dates: June 29 – August 21 (8 weeks)
Orientation: June 22–26
This position is 36–40 hours per week onsite, with the option of additional hours during before and after care.
Location: Wappingers, New York, Common Ground Farm
To Apply:
Please send a cover letter, resume, and three references to Kate Sanderson at education@commongroundfarm.org. Please write Farm Camp Counselor in the subject line.
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary, Seasonal
Work Location: In person
2026 Farm Crew
Position Description
The Farm Crew will report to the Farm Manager and the Assistant Farm Manager. They are responsible for vegetable production using organic methods and general farm upkeep.
All Farm Crew members will participate in the following:
Propagation and care of greenhouse seedlings.
Transplanting and direct seeding.
Setting up field irrigation.
Setting up and maintaining row cover over crops to protect against pests and frost.
Routine weeding and targeted weed management.
Applying soil amendments.
Weed-whacking and maintaining farm aesthetics on a weekly basis.
Harvesting, washing, and packing produce in a timely, well organized manner.
Daily and weekly farm chores to maintain a tidy, organized environment.
Maintaining farm records for propagation, harvest, and donation, among others.
Delivering produce to community partners.
Winterizing the farm and cleaning out the fields in the fall.
Job Schedule
Farm Crew positions are seasonal. The position runs from March 30, 2026 through November 1, 2026. The schedule will be Monday through Friday. Over the course of the season, we shift hours in order to maximize daylight and avoid the hottest part of the day.
From March 30 - May 3: 7:30am - 4:00pm
From May 4 - August 14 : 6:30am - 3:00pm
From August 15 - October 4: 7:30am - 4:00pm
From October 5 - November 1: 8:00am - 4:30pm
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.
Prior farming experience is not required, but interest in learning farm systems is a must.
Strong work ethic.
Ability to work efficiently together as a part of a team while under pressure.
Attention to detail and commitment to upholding quality standards.
Ability to self-evaluate the quality of your work through the lens of self-improvement. For example, with task pacing and harvest quality.
Ability to receive feedback well in relation to the quality of your work.
Dedication to your own professional growth and skill development as a farmer.
Ability to work in all weather conditions, including bitter cold, sweltering heat, rain, and wind.
Ability to lift 50lbs.
Valid Driver’s license for making deliveries (preferred but not required).
Willingness to undergo background check (required to work with Green Teens).
Commitment to creating a safe and welcoming work space.
Compensation
This is an hourly position, paying $18-$19/hr depending on experience at 40 hours a week. Any hours worked over 40 will be paid at time and a half. Benefits include 40 hours paid vacation, paid holidays, 40 hours of paid sick time, a monthly health care stipend of $350, access to farm produce, and a farm crew care package that includes work-attire of your choice, personal care items throughout the season, and professional development.
Application Process
Send a 1-page resume, cover letter, and 3 references to Rhys Bethke, Farm Manager, at farm@commongroundfarm.org, with the subject “Farm Crew 2026.” Please also include your schedule availability. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
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.