Traineeships 2023
Opportunity to learn market gardening, running a veg box scheme and farm shop and working in a cooperative
We are seeking two enthusiastic, hardworking individuals to join our team as market garden trainees. The successful candidates will be responsible for assisting with the day-to-day operation of our market garden including planting, harvesting, and maintaining a variety of crops as well as sales and marketing. This will provide the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of running a market garden, while working alongside experienced gardeners in a supportive team. We base our trainee learning schedule on the Land Workers Alliance Agroecology Traineeship curriculum to ensure all elements of market gardener are well covered.
Based in Spittalfield, Perthshire. Taybank Growers Cooperative is a 4 acre market garden situated on Blackhaugh Community Farm. We supply vegetables to the local community through wholesale, a CSA veg box scheme and our recently extended farm shop. Although not officially certified organic, we follow agro-ecological principles, good soil health and sustainable agriculture. Our operation consists of a 2 acre no-dig field with 3 polytunnels and 2 acres of mechanical field scale production. We are a small, friendly team supported by 8-10 weekly volunteers. We are based on a community farm and we share with other farm members in open days, work days, facilities and social events. We also fund-raise for and run community projects to increase the accessibility of our produce and educate on growing and eating healthy food.
Responsibilities
Assist with:
Propagation, planting, weeding, bed prep, harvesting and packing.
Maintaning equipment and facilities.
Administrative tasks and record keeping.
Production and distribution of marketing materials.
Pricing, sales and farm shop.
Qualifications
Strong work ethic
Positive attitude
Strong interest in sustainable agriculture/horticulture
Willingness to work in all weather conditions
Able to work independently and as part of a team.
Details
Trainees will work 4 x 6 hour days.
In exchange we offer food and board in our static caravan as well as a great learning experience.
Traineeship runs from April to October
How to apply
Please send an email to [email protected] explaining why you are interested in the apprenticeship, what experience – if any – you have in market gardening and what qualities you think you will bring to our team.
The deadline for applications is midnight 17 February 2023 and interviews will take place the following week.
Applicants can apply as a couple or individually
Applicants for the full period (April to October) will be priorities but applicants for shorter periods will be considered.
The LWA curriculum can be found at https://landworkersalliance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Agroecology-traineeship-programme-Curriculum_Online.pdf
Our trainee learning will deviate from this where we feel appropriate