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Wanted: Self-employed grower 

We are looking for a self-employed grower to join our vegetable growing team. Hours available are dependent upon the agreement of tasks to be completed each week/ month. However, generally during the growing season (March – October) this approximately requires up to 20 hours per week, and during the winter it generally requires up to 10 hours per week work. The rate of pay is £12 p/h. 

Community Harvest Whetstone is a small community supported agriculture (CSA) scheme on the outskirts of Leicester, founded in 2009. We are a members’ co-op, supplying a weekly veg share throughout the year to a membership of up to 50 households. The team of self-employed growers is jointly responsible for all aspects of crop management and harvesting to ensure the weekly share is varied, but seasonal and has as even a quantity of produce as possible through the year within the limitations of the UK seasons. Our crops are produced in both a triple span polytunnel and with the potential of over an acre of field veg.  

Whilst working within a tried and tested system, the daily/weekly/seasonal responsibilities will involve aspects such as polytunnel opening/ closing at appropriate times, seed selection and crop planning, sowing (modules and direct drilling) and propagation, transplanting, adhering to crop rotation, composting, fertility building, weed control, irrigation, pest and disease management, storing of crops overwinter, as well as taking part in community days and engaging with our crop sharers. Most of the work is done with hand tools, with a small tractor and rotavator for soil preparation. An experienced team member operates the tractor, with the option of giving tractor lessons.

The job is physically demanding so stamina and strength are required.

Being committed to regenerative agriculture and natural growing systems, and the ethos of community supported agriculture is important. 

There are many days where the work may need to be done alone, so self-motivation is vital where much of the work is outdoors in all weathers. However, you will also need to work as an effective and reliable team member where regular and clear communication is essential to ensure the success of this community venture.

Being eager to learn the growing/ land management system so that you can complete the tasks required within those parameters, whilst also being effective at adapting to changing conditions e.g. weather is important. Advice can be sought from established members who are familiar with the site and system. Contributions for how the project can improve are also important and welcomed. 

You will need to build on your previous experience of growing vegetables, be able to adapt to the different priorities of the working day and have a willingness to work with the methods appropriate to working at this scale. 

This is a self-employed position. The hours, the working week and division/sharing of responsibilities is established by discussion with the other team members and is flexible, dependent upon the tasks required in any given week/ month. 

Please submit a CV to info@community-harvest-whetstone.org.uk if you would like to apply or email us if you have any further questions about the role.