Specialty Crops Farm Assistant

Purpose:

To provide support to the Specialty Crops State Extension Specialist in farming operations. This position is responsible for installation, maintenance, and harvest of plant material under the direction of the Specialty Crops Extension Specialist and in cooperation with other program staff. The farm assistant is responsible for maintenance of grounds, including mowing and weed eating with the help of other staff members. Work efforts take place at the Finca EcoFarm and Native Plant Outdoor Laboratory on the Lincoln University campus and at the Finca Native Fruit Plots on the University's Alan T. Busby organic farm, in Jefferson City, MO.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provide ongoing maintenance of the grounds at the Finca EcoFarm and the Native Plant Outdoor Laboratory, and Native Fruit Plots at Busby Farm, all under the supervision of the State Extension Specialist.
• Operation farm equipment as needed at these locations.
• Clean and coordinate set up of facilities for functions scheduled in these facilities.
• Be part of a team to complete tasks including planting and harvesting of native plants and other edibles at the facilities mentioned above.
• Perform miscellaneous activities included in monthly plan of work for the program.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participate in educational events to accomplish the main of the Specialty Crops Program that is to promote non-conventional crops, especially native plants to generate income and to enhance food security.

Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Personal Characteristics

• General knowledge of agriculture and native plants.
• Ability to operate farm equipment, mowers, and weed eaters.
• Good communication skills.
• Ability to work outside for extended periods of time in inclement weather.
• Must have current valid driver's license.

Certifications, Licenses, Registrations:

• High school diploma or GED required.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift up to 75 lbs.
• Ability to work outside in extreme environmental conditions.
• This position requires typical physical demands for farm labor such as walking, standing, reaching, stooping, and squatting.

This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills required for the job and is subject to review and change at any time, with or without notice, in accordance with the needs of Lincoln University. Since no job description can detail all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time in the performance of a job, duties and responsibilities that may be inherent in a job, reasonably required for its performance, or required due to the changing nature of the job shall also be considered part of the jobholder's responsibility.

Current Openings for Specialty Crops Farm Assistant Jobs at Lincoln University of Missouri