NOW HIRING FOR THE 2025 SEASON

*Greenhouse help needed starting early March

*Market help needed starting early April

*Field crew needed starting May or June

*Preference given to those seeking 4-5 days a week

If you have a passion for fresh food, thrive working outdoors, are undaunted by physical labor, and want to spend your working hours making a positive contribution to your local community, consider joining our farm crew. We have a few open positions with varying start dates.

Rising River Farm is located in the Independence Valley of Rochester, roughly 35 minutes south of Olympia. We utilize 10 of our 20 acres to grow a wide variety of organic vegetables & culinary herbs, as well as vegetable, flower, and herb starts. Our products are sold through the Olympia Farmers Market, our CSA, SW WA Food Hub, Olympia Food Coops, and other local outlets.

OUR SEASON:
We are a year-round farm. Our main season is June-October. However, we do retain a smaller crew the rest of the year. Start and end dates will vary based on our needs and your availability. This is considered a seasonal job. The opportunity to return for multiple seasons (or stay on year-round) is a possibility if we are a good mutual fit. We are looking for folks that are interested in working multiple seasons.

HOW TO APPLY:
Send your application and resume to info@risingriverfarm.com. We will get back to you within 2 weeks if we wish to set up an interview.

COMPENSATION AND PERKS:

  • $17.50 starting wage with potential for performance-based raises plus end of season bonus for those who qualify

  • Free produce

  • Accrued paid sick leave and family leave as per WA state law

  • Set weekly schedule

  • Sustainable hours (32-40 hrs per week as mutually agreed upon)

ALL POSITIONS REQUIRE THE FOLLOWING QUALITIES:

  • Strong work ethic

  • Efficiency mindedness

  • Positive attitude

  • Excellent communication

  • Kind and respectful demeanor toward fellow crew and customers

  • Punctuality, dependability, and accountability

  • Ability to work alone and as part of the team

  • Ability to follow complex instructions and ask for clarification when needed

  • Ability to receive constructive feedback and instruction from owners and senior crew members

  • Ability to work in a wide range of weather conditions (cold, rain, heat, etc.)

  • Ability to lift 40-50 lbs. in a safe and ergonomic manner

  • Ability to be on your feet for prolonged periods

  • Ability to work on hands and knees for prolonged periods

    Farming on our scale is a physically demanding job that requires a strong back, knees, and wrists. You must also possess a reasonable level of flexibility and agility to perform the necessary tasks. If you have limitations in any of these areas, this job will not be a good fit.

JOB DESCRIPTIONS

FIELD HAND: You will work in cooperation with the other field crew to complete the day’s tasks in a quick and efficient manner. Attention to detail and maintaining our high quality standards are a must.
Field duties may include, but are not limited to:

  • Weeding

  • Transplanting

  • Harvesting

  • Washing/packing produce

  • Irrigation

  • Pruning/trellising

  • Packing CSA shares

  • Maintaining organization around the farm


GREENHOUSE ASSISTANT (+ FIELD HAND)
Greenhouse folks need to be focused, detail oriented, quick, and efficient. Must enjoy working alone for long periods of time and be able to stand for most of the workday. You will spend the most of time March-May working in the greenhouses and then slowly transition to field work as plant season winds down in June.

Greenhouse duties may include, but are not limited to:

  • Mixing soil

  • Seeding flats

  • Watering greenhouses

  • Potting up plants

  • Labeling and organizing flats

  • Assembling orders for store sales

  • Stocking plant racks for market

  • Helping maintain organization in the greenhouses

  • Potential of 1-2 market shifts per week in April and May (preference will be given to applicants who are willing to work at market during the plant sales season. See below for market duties).

PACK SHED (+ FIELD HAND)
If you have a penchant for order, organization, and getting into a flow of a smoothly running system AND can handle working alone for long stretches, this might be your jam. (You will also participate in general field hand duties when pack shed duties are complete or while waiting for more produce to come in.) For this position you MUST possess the following qualities: attention to detail, good communication, be efficiency minded, comfortable working alone for extended periods, able to stand for long periods of time, able to lift 40-50 lbs in a safe and ergonomic manner.

Pack shed duties will include but are not limited to:

  • Washing, packing, and labeling produce according to instructions provided

  • Over-see and maintain organization in the walk-in cooler and other produce storage areas

  • Maintain cleanliness and organization in pack shed and barn

  • Communicate quality control and quantity discrepancies to managers and harvesters

  • Follow food safety protocols

  • Wash and sanitize totes returned from CSA and markets

  • Update harvest logs and other records needed for Organic Certification

MARKET LEAD
Market staff are the face of the farm. You must be positive, engaging, patient, and helpful. This is a fast-paced position requiring hustle and ability to multi-task. Thursday-Sunday shifts available. We’d prefer that market staff work at least 2 days in the field in addition to market shifts to better educate customers about the farm. 

Duties will include, but are not limited to:

  • Drive market truck to and from market. (Must have a clean driving record and be able or willing to learn how to drive a 14 ft and 16 ft box truck.)

  • Set up, restock, and break down market display

  • Keep stand looking abundant

  • Ensure quality control

  • Handle cash, credit cards, and other market currencies

  • Be pleasant and engaging with customers and fellow vendors

  • Answer customer questions about plants and produce

  • Be able to lift 40-50 lbs in a safe and ergonomic manner

  • Be able to stand all day

 

MARKET HELPER
This position involves the same duties and responsibilities as the market lead. You will meet the lead at the market. On slower days, especially early in the season, you may not have a full day of work. (We guarantee a minimum of 4 hours.) We’d prefer the helper also work on the farm at least 1 day, but that is not required.