FARM COORDINATOR
Seed Savers Exchange, Decorah, IA, United States
Company Description
Seed Savers Exchange is a non‑profit organization based in Decorah, Iowa focused on conserving and promoting America's culturally diverse but endangered garden and food crop heritage for future generations.
Position: Farm Coordinator
Full‑time
Location: Decorah, IA | Category: Agriculture / Nonprofit
Job Description
This position supports Seed Savers Exchange through the work of onsite seed production of open‑pollinated, heirloom varieties. The role includes field preparations, transplanting, field maintenance, orchard work, seed harvesting, and seed processing. It also involves time in the greenhouse and, during the winter months, seed packaging and order fulfillment duties.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Assist the Greenhouse Coordinator with essential greenhouse production including sowing, watering, and transplant maintenance.
Transplant and direct seed the seed bank and catalog production crops.
Mulch with hay and landscape fabric to maintain soil health and reduce weed pressure.
Maintain production areas through mulching, weeding (manual and mechanical), weed whipping, and intercropping with cover crops.
Set up and maintain irrigation with drip lines, sprinklers, and water tanks for rural fields.
Monitor crops for disease, insect pressure, and off‑types.
Follow organizational protocols to ensure genetic purity and varietal maintenance of production crops.
Perform wet and dry seed harvesting, processing, and proper storage.
May be required to direct staff and/or act as a point person on specific farm activities throughout the season.
Maintain accurate field planting and harvest records.
Provide occasional weekend care of greenhouse crops.
Tear down fields at season’s end, including trellises, fencing, landscape fabric, and isolation cages.
Operate small engine equipment to complete field work – BCS walk‑behind tractor, string trimmers, and mowers.
Seed House Duties and Responsibilities (December–April)
Pick and pack seed orders for shipment.
Fill retail seed packets by hand and assist with machine packing.
Physical Requirements
Ability to work in varying weather conditions.
Ability to stand, kneel, walk, climb, push, and pull for extended periods.
Ability to lift up to 100 lbs. (assisted) and lift or carry at least 50 lbs. (unassisted).
Qualifications
Experience with organic vegetable, flower, and/or herb production preferred.
Enthusiastic, detail‑oriented, flexible team player.
Ability to keep accurate, detailed records in a fast‑paced work environment.
Valid driver’s license required.
Demonstrated self‑direction and ability to work independently.
Strong teamwork skills and ability to perform group tasks.
Ability to follow specific protocols and safety procedures.
Benefits
Paid holidays and PTO.
Long‑term disability and life insurance paid for by the company.
Employee merchandise discounts.
Wellness program with annual stipend and paid day off.
Medical, dental, and vision coverage available.
Retirement plan with company match.
Compensation
Hourly $15–20 per hour.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
Seed Savers Exchange is an equal‑opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to apply. Seed Savers Exchange does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, mental or physical disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by law.
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Seed Savers Exchange is a non‑profit organization based in Decorah, Iowa focused on conserving and promoting America's culturally diverse but endangered garden and food crop heritage for future generations.
Position: Farm Coordinator
Full‑time
Location: Decorah, IA | Category: Agriculture / Nonprofit
Job Description
This position supports Seed Savers Exchange through the work of onsite seed production of open‑pollinated, heirloom varieties. The role includes field preparations, transplanting, field maintenance, orchard work, seed harvesting, and seed processing. It also involves time in the greenhouse and, during the winter months, seed packaging and order fulfillment duties.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Assist the Greenhouse Coordinator with essential greenhouse production including sowing, watering, and transplant maintenance.
Transplant and direct seed the seed bank and catalog production crops.
Mulch with hay and landscape fabric to maintain soil health and reduce weed pressure.
Maintain production areas through mulching, weeding (manual and mechanical), weed whipping, and intercropping with cover crops.
Set up and maintain irrigation with drip lines, sprinklers, and water tanks for rural fields.
Monitor crops for disease, insect pressure, and off‑types.
Follow organizational protocols to ensure genetic purity and varietal maintenance of production crops.
Perform wet and dry seed harvesting, processing, and proper storage.
May be required to direct staff and/or act as a point person on specific farm activities throughout the season.
Maintain accurate field planting and harvest records.
Provide occasional weekend care of greenhouse crops.
Tear down fields at season’s end, including trellises, fencing, landscape fabric, and isolation cages.
Operate small engine equipment to complete field work – BCS walk‑behind tractor, string trimmers, and mowers.
Seed House Duties and Responsibilities (December–April)
Pick and pack seed orders for shipment.
Fill retail seed packets by hand and assist with machine packing.
Physical Requirements
Ability to work in varying weather conditions.
Ability to stand, kneel, walk, climb, push, and pull for extended periods.
Ability to lift up to 100 lbs. (assisted) and lift or carry at least 50 lbs. (unassisted).
Qualifications
Experience with organic vegetable, flower, and/or herb production preferred.
Enthusiastic, detail‑oriented, flexible team player.
Ability to keep accurate, detailed records in a fast‑paced work environment.
Valid driver’s license required.
Demonstrated self‑direction and ability to work independently.
Strong teamwork skills and ability to perform group tasks.
Ability to follow specific protocols and safety procedures.
Benefits
Paid holidays and PTO.
Long‑term disability and life insurance paid for by the company.
Employee merchandise discounts.
Wellness program with annual stipend and paid day off.
Medical, dental, and vision coverage available.
Retirement plan with company match.
Compensation
Hourly $15–20 per hour.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
Seed Savers Exchange is an equal‑opportunity employer and enthusiastically encourages people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences to apply. Seed Savers Exchange does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, mental or physical disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by law.
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