Every year Growing Home recruits promising individuals to work as interns with our organic agriculture business.  If you’re interested in the local food movement and jobs in agriculture, landscaping and/or food service, you may be a good candidate for Growing Home.

Our employment training program is 14 weeks. The first cohort (session) runs from April 3, 2012 to the end of July. The second cohort runs from July 10 through October. Recruitment for the first cohort will begin in February and in May for the second cohort.

Essential Duties

• Provide operations support  for certified organic farm sites such as planting, weeding, watering, transplanting, and harvesting crops;
• Efficiently weigh and package produce for CSA boxes;
• Care for established lawns and walkways; plant ornamental flower beds, prune and trim trees, shrubs, bushes, and hedges
• Se t up market stand and display at farmers’ markets and farm stands;
• Transact sales, stock display, and record inventory at markets;
• Educate customers on nutritional value and preparation methods of Growing Home produce;
• Represent Growing Home at community events

Minimum Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast paced, outcomes oriented setting;
• Ability to  learn tasks quickly, demonstrate new skills, and take on increasing levels of responsibility;
• Highly conscientious about quality of their work;
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and duties;
• Physical capacity to work outdoors in various weather conditions and to dig, bend, lift, and stand for sustained periods of time;
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule at different farm/market sites including some early mornings, Saturdays and late afternoons;
• Basic math, reading, and computer skills
• Willingness to fully engage in training and classroom sessions;
• Serious commitment to achieve educational and employment goals;
• High level of motivation, enthusiasm, and potential to complete the program successfully;
• Experience in growing vegetables, landscaping and/or food preparation preferred but not required;
• Valid driver’s license a plus
• Chicago resident

The Application Process

All individuals interested in applying with Growing Home MUST attend an information session to be eligible to receive an application. Information sessions will consist of a detailed overview of Growing Home’s program as well as the application and hiring process. Information sessions will be held at Growing Home’s Wood St. Farm -5814 S. Wood St. Chicago, IL. 60636 -between 9:00 a.m.-10:30 p.m. on the following dates only:

February 27, 2012
March 5, 2012
March 12, 2012

Cohort 2 (begins July 10, 2012) Information sessions:
June 4, 2012
June 11, 2012
June 18, 2012