2026 Groundskeeper

Gaining Ground is a no-till organic farm in Concord, MA. Our mission is to provide free, sustainably grown food to people who are experiencing food insecurity. We do this work with a diverse community of volunteers who work and learn with us on the farm.

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

We typically donate over half a million individual servings of produce to more than 10,000 people throughout Eastern Massachusetts each year.

About the 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 17 hunger relief organizations with the help of a community of volunteers and donate 100% of the food we grow. In the 2025 growing season we grew over 114,000 pounds of produce, supplying more than 2,100 food-insecure households each week in the Greater Boston region. We welcomed over 4,000 volunteers of all ages and abilities to the farm this past season.

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. The farm team works with our invaluable office staff to support 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.

We are now hiring for a Groundskeeper for the 2026 season. The position runs from April to November (precise start/end dates TBD).

• Up to 15 hours per week at height of season
• 2-3 days per week, hours can be flexible

Responsibilities:

• Work independently to maintain the farm’s grounds under supervision of the Director of Agriculture and the Farm Manager
• Mow farm roads and around Virginia Road property
• Weed wack fence line, farm field & hedgerow edges, and around structures and irrigation equipment
• Deer fence maintenance
• Removal and management of invasives
• Manage unwanted hornet/wasp nests ground or otherwise
• Fix and repair various farm tools and equipment such as garden carts, wheelbarrows, greenhouse tables, etc.
• Special infrastructure and hedgerow project participation
• Maintain all garden equipment and machinery

Qualifications:

• Interest in no-till farming practices and love of the outdoors
• Ability to work independently, as well as occasionally with a small number of volunteers
• Comfortable interacting with an active board, farm staff, and volunteers
• Ability to perform repetitive physical tasks in all types of weather conditions (heat, rain, cold etc.)
• Experience with riding and push mowers and weed wackers
• Experience operating a tractor
• Experience with power tools
• Experience with small construction projects and fixing farm tools
• Self motivated, organized, punctual and attentive to detail
• Focus on quality, speed and efficiency is important
• Open-mindedness and positive attitude
• 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 not located close to public transport.

English language proficiency is required.