2026 Senior Field Crew Members at Gaining Ground

Gaining Ground is a a nonprofit organic farm in Concord, Massachusetts that grows vegetables and fruit with the help of several thousand community volunteers and donates all of this fresh food to area meal programs and food pantries. We envision a future where everyone has equitable access to healthy, sustainably grown produce.

We are currently hiring for two additional Senior Field Crew Members for the 2026 season.

Positions & Timelines:

• 1 position from May – November 21, 2026
• 1 position from May – end of August (precise date TBD)

Schedule:

Average of 40 hours per week, Tuesday through Saturday, with up to one Sunday per month for greenhouse watering duties. Start times will fluctuate accordingly:

May through September: 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

October: 7:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

November: 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Responsibilities & Expectations:

• Involvement in all aspects of the farm, including: greenhouse seeding, transplanting, high tunnel work, field preparation, composting, mulching, cultivation, harvest, wash and distribution, pest management, barn and kitchen cleaning
• A high degree of leadership, including taking initiative, maintaining good workflow with the team, and guiding / mentoring the Apprentices and Summer Interns
• A high level of critical thinking and problem solving skills
• We encourage the increased leadership of specific areas of interest on the farm to our Senior Field Crew positions with discretion of Farm Management
• Lead 1-2 volunteer groups each week. This includes corporate groups, school groups, faith-based organizations, and individuals from the community. Farmers will educate volunteers about our growing practices, mission, and food security initiatives while working alongside them in the field
• Greenhouse and irrigation duties up to one Sunday per month
• Willingness to engage in critical discussions about our food systems with farm crew and staff
• Willingness to give and receive feedback in the field and during scheduled check ins
• Participate in skill and knowledge sharing via workshops, tutorials, and on the job guidance and training to expand farming knowledge in areas of interest, including, but not limited to season crop planning, greenhouse seeding, harvest leading, and building, repairing, and maintaining of farm tools and equipment, all within the discretion of Farm Management

Qualifications:

• Two years or more of farming experience
• Enthusiasm and ability to work with volunteer groups of all ages and abilities on a regular basis
• Positive and compassionate attitude towards colleagues, volunteers, donors, partners, GG Board, and all farm visitors
• Desire to learn and be curious
• Exceptional work ethic, reliability, and punctuality
• Excellent communication and listening skills
• Willingness to work outside in all weather conditions
• Interest in and/or experience with no-till farming practices
• Willingness to work cooperatively with Gaining Ground’s office team
• Ability to work with a team and independently
• Comfortable interacting with an engaged board of directors and our 17 partner organizations
• Ability to lift 30-40 pounds and perform repetitive physically taxing tasks
• Satisfactory background and reference checks
• A valid driver’s license
• Cell phone communication
• Reliable transportation

Please note that we are unable to provide housing as part of this position. Having your own means of transportation (car or bike) is strongly encouraged, as we are unfortunately not located close to public transport. A possible carpool may be available from Somerville.

Compensation:

• May – November crew position
  • $22/hour with paid lunch hour
  • $250/month health stipend (included in paycheck, taxed along with wages)
  • 5 days paid vacation and 6 paid federal holidays (3 floating)
  • 5 paid sick/personal days
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Fresh farm veggies

• May – August crew position
  • $22/hour with paid lunch hour
  • $250/month health stipend (included in paycheck, taxed along with wages)
  1. 5 days paid vacation and 3 paid federal holidays (2 floating)
  • 2 paid sick/personal days
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Fresh farm veggies

To Apply:

Please email a letter of interest, resume and 2-3 references to hiring@gainingground.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and we will begin interviewing as soon as possible. We look forward to hearing from you!

Gaining Ground’s Mission and Vision

Gaining Ground, a nonprofit organic farm in Concord, Massachusetts, grows vegetables and fruit with the help of several thousand community volunteers and donates all of this fresh food to area meal programs and food pantries.

We envision a future where everyone has equitable access to healthy, sustainably grown produce.

About the Farm

Gaining Ground is a non-profit, no-till, organic farm. At our flagship farm and satellite fields we actively cultivate 6 acres of land to grow over 50 varieties of vegetables, herbs, and flowers in fields interspersed with perennial hedgerows. We produce for 18 hunger relief organizations with the help of a community of volunteers and donate 100% of the food we grow. We grow over 150,000 pounds of produce, supplying more than 2,100 food-insecure households each week in the Greater Boston region. We welcome over 3,500 volunteers of all ages and abilities to the farm.

Gaining Ground uses farming practices centered around ecosystem health. We strive to farm alongside nature and to encourage biological diversity below and above the soil. We use practices like broadforking, heavy composting, organic mulching, cover cropping, and intercropping to care for the land. We believe that an equitable food system can only be built from sustainable and environmentally just growing practices.

Our grassroots organization thrives because of hard-working, committed, friendly individuals who support our mission with enthusiasm and a sense of humor. Our field crew, assistant growers, and farm managers work together in the field every day while teaching, learning with, and learning from our volunteers. All of our farmers strive collaboratively alongside our invaluable office staff in support of our hunger-relief mission and vision of an equitable food system.

Gaining Ground is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment of belonging for all employees. We welcome all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, or marital status.

Compensation:

• May – November crew position
  • $22/hour with paid lunch hour
  • $250/month health stipend (included in paycheck, taxed along with wages)
  • 5 days paid vacation and 6 paid federal holidays (3 floating)
  • 5 paid sick/personal days
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Fresh farm veggies
• May – August crew position
  • $22/hour with paid lunch hour
  • $250/month health stipend (included in paycheck, taxed along with wages)
  1. 5 days paid vacation and 3 paid federal holidays (2 floating)
  • 2 paid sick/personal days
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Fresh farm veggies

English fluency is required.