Reports to: Farm Manager / Head Gardener
Status: Full-time Seasonal (potential for year-round responsibilities depending on farm needs)
Location: Sanborn Mills Farm, Loudon, NH
Works closely with: Head Teamster/Herdsman, Senior Gardener, Garden Assistant, Summer Farm Assistants
Position Overview
Sanborn Mills Farm is a working Farm and craft school where agriculture, making, and education come together in a living, public-facing environment. We are not a museum-our work is active and rooted in practice. The Farm serves as a place of production, learning, and community engagement, where the process of growing, making, and sharing is visible and valued.
The Market Gardener is responsible for producing and marketing high-quality vegetables and fruits for outside sales, including farmstand offerings, partner outlets, and other external distribution channels. This role participates in all stages of production—from soil preparation through harvest, post-harvest handling, and sales preparation—using a blend of traditional, human-powered methods and practical modern systems. The position also works in coordination with the Draft Animal Team on bed preparation, cultivation, and the movement of compost and other materials, while also participating in essential Farm task such as irrigation setup, tool care, fencing, and general infrastructure upkeep. The Market Gardener also supports inventory, pricing, and communication around produce availability, ensuring that sales align with seasonal production.
Collaboration and one Farm integration are central to this role, requiring close partnership across departments – including kitchen, education, events, and operations – to support shared priorities and seamless workflow. Through this cross – department engagement and willingness to contribute wherever needed, the role actively strengthens a “One Farm” culture grounded in shared goals, collective responsibility, and unified daily work.
Key Responsibilities
Crop Production & Field Care
- Grow vegetables and fruits specifically for outside sales and external distribution
- Prepare garden beds using hand tools, walk-behind equipment, and draft animal support when appropriate
- Seed, transplant, cultivate, trellis, prune, and irrigate crops according to seasonal plans
- Monitor plant health and identify pests, diseases, and nutrient needs
- Implement organic, regenerative, and historically informed growing practices
- Maintain weed control through hand weeding, mulching, and mechanical cultivation
- Follow crop plans, succession schedules, and field maps developed with the Head Gardener
Harvest & Post-Harvest Handling
- Harvest produce to Sanborn Mills Farm quality and maturity standards
- Wash, sort, and pack produce for outside sales, partner outlets, and seasonal distribution
- Maintain clean, organized wash/pack spaces
- Follow food safety protocols and contribute to farm-wide compliance
Marketing, Sales & Brand Alignment
- Prepare produce for farmstand sales, partner outlets, and other external distribution channels
- Assist with inventory management, pricing, labeling, and display standards for produce sales
- Communicate availability, quality, and seasonal offerings to partner outlets and internal staff
- Support weekly sales planning, including harvest forecasting and product availability updates
- Participate in customer-facing sales activities when needed, representing the farm with professionalism and warmth
- Contribute to the development of sales strategies that align with crop plans and seasonal production
- Maintain an understanding of how product quality, presentation, and consistency contribute to revenue generation and the reputation of Sanborn Mills Farm
- Support the development of standards that reflect the Farm’s commitment to excellence in both production and customer experience
Record-Keeping & Planning
- Track plantings, harvest yields, inputs, and field observations
- Assist with weekly planning meetings and seasonal evaluations
- Contribute to crop rotation planning, soil health strategies, and long-term garden development
Community & Educational Support
- Engage with visitors, workshop participants, and volunteers in a welcoming, informative manner
- Demonstrate or explain traditional gardening practices when appropriate
- Support seasonal events, festivals, and demonstrations as part of the farm’s public-facing mission
Qualifications
- Experience in vegetable and/or fruit production, market gardening, or small-scale diversified farming
- Knowledge of soil health, organic practices, and seasonal crop cycles
- Experience or interest in produce sales, farmstand operations, or direct-to-consumer marketing
- Ability to work efficiently in all weather conditions and across varied terrain
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to produce quality
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Comfort using hand tools, walk-behind equipment, and working around draft animals (training provided)
- Strong communication skills and willingness to support a multi-department farm environment
- Valid driver’s license
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
- Outdoor, hands-on work in fields, gardens, greenhouses, and historic farm spaces
- Respond to changing seasonal conditions, program needs, and operational priorities with flexibility
- Remain open to feedback and collaborative problem-solving
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of systems, practices, and team coordination
- Regular lifting of 30–50 lbs.
- Repetitive tasks such as bending, kneeling, harvesting, and carrying
- Early morning start times and seasonal schedule variations
Compensation & Benefits
- Hourly wage based on experience
- Opportunities to learn traditional and historic gardening methods
- Hands-on exposure to draft animals and human-powered field systems
- Supportive, community-oriented environment at a working historic farm
- Professional development in sustainable agriculture and traditional skills