CSA Box Contents Week of May 3rd

CSA Box Contents Week of May 3rd

Medium Box
Cabbage, Green
Carrot, Orange
Greens, Collards
Greens, Kale, Curly
Herb, Basil
Herb, Fennel
Leek
Onion, White
Potato, Sweet
Squash, Zucchini

by Megan Winfrey

I just returned from an absolutely amazing long weekend in West Texas with one of my very best friends. Four days of camping, hiking, swimming, driving, and letting this amazing state completely take our breath away. Hiking Guadalupe Peak, the tallest summit in Texas, was a huge accomplishment for me - and I couldn't have done it without the following recipe. This zucchini bread was tasty, filling, and easy to pack for an overnight hiking and camping excursion. I even made an extra loaf, wrapped it in foil, put it in a large ziploc bag, and froze it for when I got home!

Zucchini Bread

• 3 cups flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 3 tsp. cinnamon
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped
• 2 cups grated zucchini

Preheat oven to 325ºF

Oil and flour two 8x4 inch bread pans. Sift flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon together in a medium bowl. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, oil, vanilla, and sugar together. Add the dry ingredients and beat well. Fold in the zucchini and walnuts, then pour the batter into the bread pans. The batter will be quite thick, which will lend to a dense, moist bread.

Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool for 20 minutes, remove from the pans, then let cool completely before slicing or freezing. This bread will stay fresh at room temperature for over a week.

by Megan Winfrey

Surprise! I've got a double hitter for y'all this week. While I was out west, my husband was in California participating in ACT Today's 5k for military families affected by Autism, and our baby girl was with the grandparents. It was the longest we'd been apart since our girl was born, and I missed them both terribly! When we got home, there were two priorities - spending time together and eating a good, home cooked meal. I needed something simple to make, but packed with hearty nutrients since we all know that food on the road isn't always the best. The following recipe was just what the doctor ordered.

Braised Chicken Thighs with Artichokes, Potatoes, & Leeks

• 2 lbs. boneless chicken thighs
• 1 tbs. olive oil
• 2 tbs. butter
• salt and pepper
• 4 baby artichokes
• 1 sweet potato, peeled and sliced
• 2 leeks, chopped
• 2 garlic scapes, chopped
• 1 tsp. dried tarragon
• 1 tsp. whole grain mustard
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1/2 cup buttermilk or half and half

Preheat the oven to 425ºF

First, prepare the artichokes. Tear off the prickly outer leaves until a tight, soft, green choke remains. Use a peeler to remove the rough stuff from the base and stems, then quarter them and set aside.

Heat a large dutch oven to medium high heat. Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Add the oil and 1 tbs. butter to the pan and sear the chicken skin side down first until brown, flip, and then brown the underside. Remove the chicken and set aside.



Add the other tbs. of butter, artichokes, sweet potatoes, leeks, and scapes. Saute on medium high heat for about 10 minutes, until they just begin to soften. Season with a good amount of salt and pepper. Add the wine to deglaze the pan and reduce by half. Add stock, buttermilk, mustard, and tarragon. Stir, bring to a simmer, and nestle the chicken down into the broth, skin side up. Roast in the oven for 20-30 minutes, until golden. Broil for a few minutes if needed, to get the chicken extra crispy. Serve immediately!

Broccoli crowns are looking great! Photo by Scott David Gordon

This week has been a bit overshadowed by the big task of our greenhouse repair. We're evaluating damage and slowly clearing the area to rebuild as soon as we can, while all the while continuing to plant, cultivate, and harvest lots of spring and summer vegetables for you.

We have a great volunteer opportunity this Monday, May 9th. We need your help painting the other half of our newest JBG truck! Email ada@jbgorganic.com for more details or to RSVP - we'll make sure you go home with your arms full with organic vegetables!



Eat your broccoli before it gets too hot for this plant to grow! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Transplanting okra this week. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Beets out in the field. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Green cabbage - we're harvesting for markets this weekend! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Savoy cabbage too. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Up close with basil. Photo by Scott David Gordon

The tomato field is really filling in. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Harvest manager Vicente on his new tractor. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Cilantro harvest. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Peppers and tomatoes, with our greenhouses in the background. Photo by Scott David Gordon

The results of last Friday's storm. Photo by Scott David Gordon

We're slowly clearing the greenhouse pads to start rebuilding. Photo by Scott David Gordon

 

Farming, perhaps more than any other profession, is a delicate dance with the weather, the seasons, and the individualities of a piece of land. As farmers, we love the dance and we hate the dance all at the same time. We rejoice when the weather works in our favor, and duck our heads and start over when the elements bring us down. "Make hay while the sun shines," they say, but what do you do when the storms just won't let off?

This past Friday night, heavy winds and a massive storm dealt the farm a huge blow. Ripping through our farm, these winds flattened our four greenhouses, ripping off the poly covering and bending steel to the earth. This is a devastating loss for the farm, and we are again in awe at the power that the elements have over our livelihood.

"Before." Photo by Scott David Gordon

After Friday's storm. Photo by Scott David Gordon

It has just started to feel like we are catching up on the losses suffered with two major flooding events in 2015. We had a great, mild winter and good rains this spring, and so this blow comes during a very delicate recovery period. One thing that we have to be grateful for is that this destruction happened right a the end of a busy transplanting season. So now we have a small window of time to rebuild before we start seeding for our early Fall successions in June. At this point, we're just trying to salvage what we can from the ruins and start building. What else is there to do?

Our communities support is what helped us to make it through tough times last year. So again, we are swallowing our pride and asking you - our community - for help to get through this next hurdle.  After salvaging what we can, we're still looking at over $50,000 in materials and repairs to get these greenhouses back in working order.

Want to help?  Here are a couple of ways:

CSA Box Contents Week of May 3rd

Consider a Long-Term CSA Subscription.

The single most impactful way you can support the farm is to join as a long-term member. If you've been a member of our CSA for a while, and know that you'll be eating our veggies for the coming months, a 6- or 12-month subscription to our Community Supported Agriculture program would provide immeasurable support, providing capital upfront for us to rebuild and prepare for a bountiful Fall season.  Call the farm at 512-386-5273 if you'd like to make the switch to a long-term subscription and be sure to ask about the discount benefits you qualify for.

Plus, now is a great time to join our CSA! Spring and summer crops are both coming in these days, and during this overlap in seasons your shares are fuller than ever. Plenty of great crops are on the horizon - tomatoes, melons, peppers, cucumbers and more!

Photo by Scott David Gordon

Shop Your Local Farmers Market.

Luckily, our field crops were unaffected by the massive storm this past weekend. We've got bountiful market tables right now and every purchase you make from the farm is going to go directly towards rebuilding our greenhouses.  Thank you to all of our customers for choosing to spend your dollars locally at farmers markets - it makes a huge difference. See all of our weekly market locations at jbgorganic.com/markets to find one near you.

Got a friend who might want to shop with you? Our Gifts Page has Market Bucks and gift certificated for the farm as well. Mother's Day is this weekend, so why not cook mom a yummy, locally sourced meal?

Donate Materials.

If you have the means, and would like to help the farm in this effort in a more direct way, we are also accepting materials donations to rebuild these greenhouses. You can call the farm directly at 512-386-5273 or email at farm@jbgorganic.com to talk to Ada about what materials are currently needed.



As always, we want to thank all of our customers for their continued support of the farm. We have such an incredible community, and regardless of what obstacles the weather puts in our path, you awesome folks make it worth it - we truly love this work.  We are going to spend the next few months rebuilding, and with your help we will make it through this difficult period.

 

Position Title: Planting Crew 

Location: Garfield, TX                                                                                

Position Summary: We're seeking field workers to help transplant crops into the field. No previous farm experience necessary - we'll train.

Responsibilities:

• Work with Farm Manager and Greenhouse Manager to make a direct seed and transplant schedule
• Plant vegetable transplants by hand or with tractor-operated transplanter
• Direct seed by hand
• Greenhouse work including soil preparation and seeding
• General farm cleanup

Requirements:

• Ability to repeatedly lift 50lbs
• Ability to repeatedly kneel, bend, and squat
• Ability to withstand exposure to varying weather conditions
• Ability to withstand prolonged sitting, standing, and walking
• Experience driving tractors
• Experience with team management

Schedule: Full-time; Typically Monday-Friday 6:45 AM-3:45PM with Saturday work based on seasonal needs. 

Compensation & Benefits: Compensation is dependent on experience. Expected salary range is $10.50 per hour. Paid bi-weekly. Full time employees receive a weekly CSA share + eggs on a bi-weekly basis. 

Directions for Applying: Please call our office at 512-666-3460 to schedule a working interview. If you should call and get the voicemail, please leave a message. 

The responsibilities & duties listed above are intended to communicate general priorities of this position, but should not be understood as an exhaustive list of all work requirements to be completed at JBG Organic. Farms require flexibility! We are committed to training, developing, and promoting from within the company based on performance.

JBG Organic provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, or sexual orientation.

 

 

 

CSA Box Contents Week of May 9th

CSA Box Contents Week of May 9th

Medium Box
Beet, Red
Cabbage, Savoy
Carrot, Orange
Greens, Dandelion
Greens, Kale, Curly
Herb, Cilantro
Herb, Fennel
Onion, Red
Potato, Red
Squash, Zucchini

 

by Megan Winfrey

Basil is back! Summer squash is back! Tomatoes are almost here! What an exciting time for produce. Summer is my absolute favorite time for fresh, organic, simple food. And don't y'all know it, it's gotta be that way in this Texas heat. Here is a very simple recipe showcasing my favorite way to use basil - PESTO. It's perfect to make ahead of time and enjoy for lunch on a muggy day.

Basil Pesto Zucchini Tortellini

• 1 bunch of JBG basil (about a cup, packed)
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1/4 cup walnuts
• 1/2 olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper
• 2 large or 3 small zucchinis, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 package of pre-made tortellini pasta

Start by preparing the pesto. Add the basil, walnuts, garlic, and parmesan cheese to your blender or food processor. Turn it on and slowly drizzle in the olive oil as it blends, salt and pepper to taste.

Heat some olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat and sauté the zucchini and tomatoes until they become soft, about 8 minutes.

Prepare the tortellini pasta per the package instructions, or get really crazy and make your own!

Once cooked, drain the pasta into a large bowl and add the vegetables. Slowly add the pesto, mixing and tasting as you go. The recipe makes more pesto than you need, and it can become overbearing if used too liberally. Enjoy this dish hot or cold...I actually prefer it cold!

We aren't quite done painting our new truck - but Ada got excited for tomato season and partially painted this side.

Joy 'n a jar! Tomatoes are coming! We're bringing the first red (and some green) tomatoes to market this weekend, and we are so excited about it.

We still need help on this year's Tomato Crew - work on an Austin organic farm this summer with JBG! This is a fun and fast paced, seasonal job working during the exciting summer season at the farm. We are hiring for crew members and leadership positions. Check out the details at jbgorganic.com/jobs. Got a friend who might be interested? Make sure to send it their way!

Also, be on the lookout for JBG's annual Tomato Sale coming in June. Get your canners ready, it's going to be a good year.

Lots o' leeks. Photo by Scott David Gordon

The workload is really picking up in week 19! We're seeing a big flush of summer crops - cucumbers, early tomatoes, peppers, okra and lots more. We've been taking down the damaged greenhouses, finishing out our harvest trailers, and harvesting the bounty that Texas has to offer in May. Thanks as always to photographer Scott David Gordon for capturing the week in photos!

"8-ball squash." Photo by Scott David Gordon

A patty-pan variety of squash this week. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Scrap metal salvaged from our greenhouse debacle. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Jason looking for his keys in some new eggplant. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Our first okra this year! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Harvesting leeks. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Our leeks this year are some of the best we've ever grown. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Loading up onions to bring to Hergotz. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Purple bell peppers. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Serrano peppers - summer crops are here!

A close up on a Zinnia flower. Photo by Scott David Gordon

We're bringing the first green tomatoes of the year to market this weekend! Photo by Scott David Gordon

A view through the tomato cages. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Tomatoes. Photo by Scott David Gordon

A patty-pan type squash - we're harvesting loads of interesting varieties this week. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Things are really picking up at the farm this week! We're coming into our first big flush of summer crops and everyone is remembering how much lifting we have to do here in the summertime. Summer squash (we're harvesting some cool heirloom varieties in addition to the green and yellow squash you're familiar with), green beans, cucumbers, onions, and some early tomatoes are all coming out of the fields this week. And believe us - these crops are HEAVY!

Luckily, we've just put the final touches on our harvest trailers - shaded roofs. I know I talked about these trailers a few weeks ago, but seeing them in action as the heavier summer crops come in is really an awesome sight. Instead of walking full bins of veggies to the ends of our fields, the harvest crew is now able to harvest right into their bins that are sitting on the trailer! This saves loads of lifting and carrying (something we could all use a little less of out here) and allows us to harvest up to 5 beds at a time. In addition, the shaded cover on the trailer means that we can get your produce out of the sun faster, which should improve overall quality on the farm. I just keep thinking, why didn't we build these sooner?

Our harvest trailers are now shaded! Photo by Scott David Gordon

We're still working to take down the steel structures that were our greenhouses until last week. Once the pads are cleared, we will be able to start rebuilding. A huge thank-you to our CSA community for your support during this time. Thanks to those who have committed for long-term CSA subscriptions with the farm, and those who have offered materials donations. We still have a lot of work ahead of us - if you can support the farm in any way as we move into a great harvest season, it would help us get these greenhouses up before we have to start seeding again in late June!

We're taking down the damaged sections of greenhouses this week. Photo by Scott David Gordon

As the workload picks up at JBG, we are all putting in the extra hours to make sure everything gets done. Some of us have found that plugging in our headphones makes the work go by faster. JBG Greenhouse Manager Brandon recently shared his list of agriculture podcasts with some of our staff, and we loved his suggestions and wanted to share them with you. Got any food/farming podcasts you like to listen to? We'd love to hear about them in the comments.

Permaculture Voices

The Permaculture Voices podcast founder Diego interviews folks in all aspects of the regenerative agriculture spectrum. This includes urban farmers, rural legends like Joel Salatin, soil experts, mycologists and more. This podcast explores the important balance between an agricultural business that cares for the earth with respect but also yields a profitable and sustainable lifestyle for the farmer. They are also a great resource for anyone interested in learning more about the principles of permaculture.

Recommended episode: Biodiverity is Biosecurity- Strengthening Foodwebs using Mycological Solutions

Photo by Scott David Gordon

Farmer to Farmer Podcast

Chris Blanchard's Farmer to Farmer is probably on the more technical end of this list of podcasts. Expect to hear real farmers discussing varieties, bed and row spacing, record keeping and more. Don't miss the episode a few weeks ago when Chris talked with Brenton about the farm!

Recommended episode: Eliot Coleman on the Importance of Observation, and Making the Soil Work for Your Farm

 

Homesteady 

From hunting to mushroom foraging to building a chicken coop, this podcast explores self-sufficiency topics for the aspiring homesteader. If you've dreamt of using your backyard as a market garden, want to know how to build a chicken coop, or don't know what to do once you've shot your first whitetail, look no further than Homesteady!

Recommended episode: Can you Make Money Selling Farm Fresh Eggs? Chickens, Eggs, and Homestead Business

Zinnia flowering at JBG this week. Photo by Scott David Gordon

More of Brandon's favorite podcasts:

Get Growing with Farmer Fred - Backyard gardeners! Farmer Fred is a long time Master Gardener in California whose podcast is a wealth of tips for organic backyard gardeners on soils, pest management, and plenty of great tips to help your garden thrive.

Farm Marketing Solutions - Lots of small farms fail despite the fact that they are great at growing food. Farm Marketing Solutions aims to help the farmer trying to grow the business an insight into great marketing techniques.

Homesteading and Permaculture by Paul Wheaton - Tons of information on permaculture design and techniques, good conversations with a variety of guests, and an entertaining (and sometimes foul-mouthed) host.

The Urban Farm Podcast With Greg Peterson - These shorter podcasts (30-45 min) discusses topics revolving around the art of urban food production systems and the potential that exists to grow food in metropolitan areas.

Chicken Thistle Farm CoopCast - Coopcast is based at Chicken Thistle Farm in Walworth, NY. Kelli and Andi raise pigs and chickens and give advice and hilarious stories in each week's podcast.

Sow Edible Permaculture Podcast - Join first-time farmers Stacy and Amy as they build their permaculture self-sufficient farm and off grid house.

Sustainable World Radio - Jill Cloutier has been producing this show since 2004, and each week cover topics ranging from permaculture to herbal remedies. Nature-based solutions to make this world a better place.

The Beginning Farmer Show with Ethan Book - Ethan from Crooked Gap Farm tells his own entertaining story about "the good, bad, and ugly of starting a farm from scratch". His enthusiasm is contagious and his storytelling is really captivating.

We hope you enjoy this list - let us know which podcasts we missed in the comments section!

Photo by Scott David Gordon

Position Title: Cooler Inventory/Packing Crew 

Location: Hergotz                                                Department: Packing Shed                                         

Reports To: Farm Manager; Operations Manager    Supervises: n/a

Position Summary:

Johnson’s Backyard Garden (JBG) is seeking a highly organized and hard-working individual to fill the position of Cooler Inventory Assistant. The Cooler Inventory Assistant will work closely with the Cooler Inventory Manager and Wholesale Packing Crew to ensure that all departmental needs are met and that harvest and sales are coordinated and allocated among the appropriate outlets (Farmers Market, CSA, Wholesale) quickly and effectively.

 

Responsibilities

• Assists the Cooler Inventory Manager in the completion of all essential tasks
• Unloads 2 or more harvest trucks daily from our Garfield Farm into the coolers at our Hergotz Farm
• Maintains organization of produce in all coolers, and ensures that produce is being stored at the proper temperature and humidity
• Helps pack distribution orders when needed
• Ensures that all coolers and storage facilities are kept sanitary; maintains a regular cleaning and temperature log
• Reports any facility maintenance and repair issues to the Farm Mechanic in a timely fashion
• Fills in as necessary with other departments

 

Qualifications

Required

• Highly organized individual with excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Self-directed and independent worker that can also lead and motivate a team as well as collaborate with other departments
• Evidence of problem-solving skills in prior employment
• Solid understanding of produce quality and storage conditions, as well as best practices
• Ability to work comfortably and appropriately in cross-cultural interactions
• Willingness to work additional hours during seasonal peaks due to demands

Preferred

• Experience using a forklift and pallet jack
• Past experience in produce warehouse management, or other fast-paced, high-volume environment
• An interest in agriculture and the promotion of local and organic farming
• Spanish fluency or experience

 

Physical Requirements

• Ability to repeatedly lift 50 lbs
• Ability to repeatedly kneel, bend, and squat
• Ability to withstand exposure to varying weather conditions
• Ability to withstand prolonged standing or walking

 

Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday typically 10:30 am- 6pm.

Compensation & Benefits:

Compensation is dependent on experience. Expected salary range is $11 per hour. Permanent employees are eligible for Individual Health Plan benefits. 

Directions for Applying:

Please send an email to jobs@jbgorganic.com with the following format. Following specific directions is the first way to impress us!

• Subject Line should read “[Job Title]: [First Initial]_[Last Name]” … For example, “Planting Crew Coordinator: J_Smith”
• Email body should be short & sweet - help us notice you! Ensure that it contains your contact information.
• Attach three documents to your email, ensuring that their file names are clear: 1) Cover Letter 2) Resume 3) List containing contact information of two professional references

Thank you for your interest in JBG Organic! You will be contacted for further information if we find that you might be a good fit for this position.

 

The responsibilities & duties listed above are intended to communicate general priorities of this position, but should not be understood as an exhaustive list of all work requirements to be completed at JBG Organic. Farms require flexibility! We are committed to training, developing, and promoting from within the company based on performance.

JBG Organic provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, or sexual orientation.

 

Photo by Scott David Gordon

Position Title: Service & Maintenance Technician 

Location:  Garfield, TX                                        Department: Facilities                                             

Reports To:  Farm Administrator                         Supervises: N/A

Position Summary:

JBG Organic is seeking a service mechanic to assume responsibility for maintaining our fleet of 11 tractors and a large assortment of vegetable farm machinery. This position is also responsible for general farm facility repair and maintenance. This position reports to the Farm Administrator, but will also work closely with the Assistant Farm Manager, Farm Manager, Head Grower, and Harvest Manager to ensure proper scheduling of maintenance during our busy production time for performing repairs with minimal disruption to production schedules. 

 

Responsibilities:

• Communicate with field managers for scheduling of maintenance
• Perform preventative maintenance on all farm vehicles and equipment. This includes tractors, trailers, trucks, implements, and any small engine equipment.
• Maintain current vehicle inspections and registrations.
• Ensure proper fluid levels; replacement of air and oil filters; greasing bearings, etc.
• Maintain inventories of tools, fluids, and parts; communicate needs to Farm Administrator.
• Obtain estimates for supplies, repair parts, and equipment.
• Respond to emergency maintenance requests as they arise.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment at all times.
• Oversee general farm facility repair and maintenance.

 

Qualifications Required

• Skilled in the use of hand and power tools
• Knowledge of basic gas diesel and small engine troubleshooting
• Electrical knowledge through testing and replacing electrical components and wiring
• Ability to troubleshoot various forms of equipment
• Maintain detailed records of repairs made and parts used

Preferred

• Spanish fluency
• Flexible scheduling needed to fulfill needs of the farm

 

Physical Requirements

• Ability to repeatedly lift 50 lbs
• Ability to repeatedly kneel, bend, and squat
• Ability to withstand exposure to varying weather conditions
• Ability to withstand prolonged standing or walking

 

Schedule: Full-time, Typically Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM

Compensation & Benefits: Compensation is dependent on experience. Expected salary range is $13. Paid bi-weekly. Permanent employees are eligible for Individual Health Plan benefits.

 

Directions for Applying:

Please send an email to jobs@jbgorganic.com with the following format. Following specific directions is the first way to impress us!

 

• Subject Line should read “[Job Title]: [First Initial]_[Last Name]” … For example, “Planting Crew Coordinator: J_Smith”
• Email body should be short & sweet - help us notice you! Ensure that it contains your contact information.
• Attach three documents to your email, ensuring that their file names are clear: 1) Cover Letter 2) Resume 3) List containing contact information of two professional references

 

Thank you for your interest in JBG Organic! You will be contacted for further information if we find that you might be a good fit for this position.

 

The responsibilities & duties listed above are intended to communicate general priorities of this position, but should not be understood as an exhaustive list of all work requirements to be completed at JBG Organic. Farms require flexibility! We are committed to training, developing, and promoting from within the company based on performance.

 

JBG Organic provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, or sexual orientation.

 

Photo by Scott David Gordon

Position Title: Wholesale Sales Manager

Location: 9515 Hergotz Lane, Austin

Department: Wholesale

Reports To: Owner, Operations Manager

Supervises: Works together with Restaurant Sales Manager and Wholesale Packing Manager to supervise Wholesale Drivers and Wholesale Packing Crew

Position Summary:

Johnson’s Backyard Garden (JBG) is seeking a Wholesale Manager to join our Sales Department. This position coordinates closely with the JBG Restaurant Sales Manager, Harvest Manager, wholesale packing crew, wholesale delivery drivers, and wholesale customers. This position must maintain and expand relationships with local grocery stores and produce retailers as well as distribution centers. The ideal candidate will have previous produce sales experience and/or retail produce experience, be able to work independently and cooperatively, and have excellent communication, negotiation and organization skills.

Responsibilities:

• Maintains and expands relationship with wholesale customers
• Shares the daily duties that support the sales process – answering phones, sending emails, modifying and emailing our price list, compiling invoices, running and distributing daily sales reports
• Develop new sales outlets and pursue prospective customers
• Seek to improve sales revenue in line with established sales targets
• Communicate daily with harvest crew, packing crew and drivers to ensure orders are packed and delivered while maintaining the highest quality product
• Promptly resolves customer complaints by investigating problems; developing solutions; preparing reports; making recommendations to management
• Manage rental delivery materials, inventory of packing supplies, and orders barn supplies as necessary
• Work with wholesale customers and distributors to analyze demand and gaps in the local market, and work closely with Assistant Farm Manager and Farm Administrator to ensure planting are in line with customer commitments
• Together with Cooler Inventory Manager, identifies and assesses crop and storage surpluses; develops projected movements for all departments to ensure profitability

Qualifications:

• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively
• Experience in commercial farming or the produce industry highly preferred
• College degree in related field highly preferred
• Must be highly organized and be able to multitask effectively
• Must possess good communication skills and work well under pressure
• Excellent sales and negotiation skills
• Strong writing skills and comfort with Microsoft Office

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to repeatedly lift 40 lbs

Schedule:

• Full-time, Monday - Friday

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary commensurate with experience

Directions for Applying:

Please reply to this post with the following format. Following specific directions is the first way to impress us!

• Subject Line should read “Wholesale Sales Manager: [First Initial]_[Last Name]” … For example, “Wholesale Sales Manager: J_Smith”
• Email body should be short & sweet - help us notice you! Ensure that it contains your contact information.
• Attach three documents to your email, ensuring that their file names are clear:1) Cover Letter 2) Resume 3) List containing contact information of two professional references

Thank you for your interest in JBG Organic! You will be contacted for further information if we find that you might be a good fit for this position.

The responsibilities & duties listed above are intended to communicate general priorities of this position, but should not be understood as an exhaustive list of all work requirements to be completed at JBG Organic. Farms require flexibility! We are committed to training, developing, and promoting from within the company based on performance.

JBG Organic provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, or sexual orientation.

CSA Box Contents Week of May 16th

CSA Box Contents Week of May 16th

Medium Box
Bean, Green
Beet, Golden
Cabbage, Green
Carrot, Orange
Greens, Kale, Curly
Herb, Cilantro
Onion, White
Parsnip
Potato, Yukon Gold
Squash. Summer Medley

Daniel hard at work! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Position Title: Office Assistant

Location:  Hergotz Lane / River Road           

Department: Administration Reports To: Farmer; Operations Manager    Supervises: n/a

Position Summary:

JBG Organic is seeking a part-time office assistant for the daily farm operations. Qualified applicants should be detail-oriented, flexible, and willing to take on a wide variety of tasks. They will work closely with both the Farmer and other farm members to ensure proper completion and streamlining of necessary responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Assisting Farmer with the management of email and schedule, in both professional and personal realms, including travel arrangements. This includes filtering emails.
• Assisting Farmer with prioritization of tasks and with writing letters, emails, and other correspondence or publications
• Assisting Farmers Market Packing Manager with input of market numbers into spreadsheet and database each week and stocking of merchandise in market bins on a weekly basis
• Assist CSA program in management of customer service system and other tasks
• Coordinating task list for Vehicle Maintenance & Service Technician, and identifying priorities with guidance from Farmer and Operations Manager
• Coordinating with Vehicle Maintenance & Service Technician for purchase & acquisition of parts and supplies, including
• Communicate with Farm Administrator to streamline processes between two farm locations and assist with Human Resources responsibilities such as hiring and onboarding
• Assist with answering phones, running deliveries, and other miscellaneous tasks designated by Farmer, Operations Manager, and other administrative staff

Qualifications Required

• Excellent organization, prioritization, and communication skills
• Strong writing skills
• Flexible personality
• Willing to work at either the Hergotz or River Road location depending on daily tasks
• Reliable transportation
• Capable of self-starting, using independent judgement to achieve greatest levels of efficiency

Preferred

• Prior administrative and/or farm experience
• Experience in conflict mediation

Physical Requirements

• Ability to repeatedly lift 30 lbs
• Ability to repeatedly kneel, bend and squat
• Ability to withstand exposure to varying weather conditions
• Ability to withstand prolonged standing or walking

Schedule: Part-time. Expected hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Compensation & Benefits: Compensation is dependent on experience. Expected salary range is $13 / hour. Paid bi-weekly. Permanent employees are eligible for Individual Health Plan benefits.

Directions for Applying:

Please send an email to jobs@jbgorganic.com with the following format. Following specific directions is the first way to impress us!

• Subject Line should read “[Job Title]: [First Initial]_[Last Name]” … For example, “Planting Crew Coordinator: J_Smith”
• Email body should be short & sweet - help us notice you! Ensure that it contains your contact information.
• Attach three documents to your email, ensuring that their file names are clear: 1) Cover Letter 2) Resume 3) List containing contact information of two professional references

Thank you for your interest in JBG Organic! You will be contacted for further information if we find that you might be a good fit for this position.

The responsibilities & duties listed above are intended to communicate general priorities of this position, but should not be understood as an exhaustive list of all work requirements to be completed at JBG Organic. Farms require flexibility! We are committed to training, developing, and promoting from within the company based on performance. JBG Organic provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Daniel hard at work! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Position Title: Office Assistant

Location:  Hergotz Lane / River Road           Department: Administration                                   

Reports To: Farmer; Operations Manager    Supervises: n/a

Position Summary:

JBG Organic is seeking a part-time office assistant for the daily farm operations. Qualified applicants should be detail-oriented, flexible, and willing to take on a wide variety of tasks. They will work closely with both the Farmer and other farm members to ensure proper completion and streamlining of necessary responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Assisting Farmer with the management of email and schedule, in both professional and personal realms, including travel arrangements. This includes filtering emails.
• Assisting Farmer with prioritization of tasks and with writing letters, emails, and other correspondence or publications
• Assisting Farmers Market Packing Manager with input of market numbers into spreadsheet and database each week and stocking of merchandise in market bins on a weekly basis
• Assist CSA program in management of customer service system and other tasks
• Coordinating task list for Vehicle Maintenance & Service Technician, and identifying priorities with guidance from Farmer and Operations Manager
• Coordinating with Vehicle Maintenance & Service Technician for purchase & acquisition of parts and supplies
• Communicate with Farm Administrator to streamline processes between two farm locations and assist with Human Resources responsibilities such as hiring and onboarding
• Assist with answering phones, running deliveries, and other miscellaneous tasks designated by Farmer, Operations Manager, and other administrative staff

Qualifications: Required

• Excellent organization, prioritization, and communication skills
• Strong writing skills
• Flexible personality
• Willing to work at either the Hergotz or River Road location depending on daily tasks
• Reliable transportation
• Capable of self-starting, using independent judgement to achieve greatest levels of efficiency

Preferred

• Prior administrative and/or farm experience
• Experience in conflict mediation

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to repeatedly lift 30 lbs
• Ability to repeatedly kneel, bend and squat
• Ability to withstand exposure to varying weather conditions
• Ability to withstand prolonged standing or walking

Schedule: Part-time. Expected hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Compensation & Benefits: Compensation is dependent on experience. Expected salary range is $13 / hour. Paid bi-weekly. Permanent employees are eligible for Individual Health Plan benefits.

Directions for Applying:

Please send an email to jobs@jbgorganic.com with the following format. Following specific directions is the first way to impress us!

• Subject Line should read “[Job Title]: [First Initial]_[Last Name]” … For example, “Planting Crew Coordinator: J_Smith”
• Email body should be short & sweet - help us notice you! Ensure that it contains your contact information.
• Attach three documents to your email, ensuring that their file names are clear: 1) Cover Letter 2) Resume 3) List containing contact information of two professional references

 

Thank you for your interest in JBG Organic! You will be contacted for further information if we find that you might be a good fit for this position.

The responsibilities & duties listed above are intended to communicate general priorities of this position, but should not be understood as an exhaustive list of all work requirements to be completed at JBG Organic. Farms require flexibility! We are committed to training, developing, and promoting from within the company based on performance.

JBG Organic provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, or sexual orientation.

by Megan Winfrey

I'm a big fan of the loaded potato. So versatile and easy to make, I could have one for dinner any night of the week and be an extremely happy woman. But I'll admit, I haven't looked outside of the box much with this dish - I tend to go for the old classics like chili or pulled pork, sour cream, chives, etc. This recipe is genius in that it is a total party for your tastebuds and it's not what you'd normally expect from a loaded potato. Get ready to add this one to your weekly roster.

Brussels Sprouts Stuffed Potatoes

• 2 large russet potatoes
• 1 box of JBG brussels sprouts
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup ranch dressing
• 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1 tbs. butter
• 1 tbs. olive oil
• salt and pepper

 

Preheat the oven the 425ºF.

Scrub the potatoes clean, wrap individually in foil, pierce with a sharp knife in several places, and bake for about 40 minutes or until tender when squeezed with an oven mitt.

While the potatoes bake, prepare the brussels sprouts by chopping off the base and removing the outer layer of leaves. Quarter each sprout and set aside.

Heat the butter in a heavy skillet over medium high heat. Add the brussels sprouts and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the onions and garlic and cook for another 5-8 minutes, until everything begins to soften up nicely.

When the potatoes are done, allow them to cool for a few minutes until you can handle them. Slice a thin layer off the top and discard. Scoop the flesh of the potatoes into a medium sized bowl - you'll end up with empty potato skins that look like canoes.



Add the brussels sprouts mixture and ranch dressing to the bowl and combine. Salt and pepper to taste.

Now, fill the potato skins with the mixture. You can really pack it in there and even let some overflow. It should all fit!

Reduce your oven to 350ºF. Top the potatoes with the mozzarella cheese and pop back into the oven until the cheese melts, about 10 minutes.

Washing carrots for market this weekend. Photo by Scott David Gordon

The farm is a muddy mess this week! We got so much rain on Thursday that we had to sent everyone home by 9am. We're working odd hours to make sure everything gets ready for market this weekend - let's hope the sun comes out soon! We could definitely use some sunshine and heat to dry out and warm up our tomato plants - we are a little bit worried that the fruits won't have enough heat to turn red as soon as we would like. Summer really is here now, and we're harvesting tomatoes alongside the first okra, sweet and hot peppers, and loads more summer squash!

Our greenhouses are now leveled to the ground. We should be able to salvage the vents and fans, but everything else will need replacing. This is going to be a huge cost to the farm - if you want to help us in this time of need, please read our post on the issue. If that wasn't enough, our green bean picker broke this week, right as the bean harvest came ready! Our harvest crew is truly amazing, and have been picking beans by hand all week. A huge thanks to the crew for their dedication!

Our barn crew washing lots of carrots. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Bins of dandelion greens. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Kayla shows off a beautiful bunch of dandelion greens. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Green beans! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Sorting and washing green beans at the barn. Photo by Scott David Gordon

It's a muddy day in the fields, let's hope the sun comes out to ripen these tomatoes soon! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Lots of tomatoes are coming! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Bunched mint in the field. Photo by Scott David Gordon

The mint really loves the rain, though! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Our new, COVERED, harvest trailer helps the crew harvest cabbage. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Photo by Scott David Gordon

Purple cabbage is in season right now. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Our summer squash harvest is rolling in - we've got them in all colors and shapes! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Thanks to the crew for braving the rains this week! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Photo by Scott David Gordon

You know summer is here when... tomatoes start coming in! We wanted to write a blog post celebrating this little bundle of summer flavor - the tomato certainly has a unique and colorful history, spanning continents and centuries!We just harvested our first ripe, juicy Juliet tomatoes for the SFC Triangle Market this Wednesday, and couldn't be more excited that tomato season is finally here. So here's to you, Solanum lycopersicum, for brightening up a rainy week here at JBG.

History

Wild cultivars of the tomato originated in South America - what is today Peru, Bolivia, Chile and the other Andean nations. Native tomato plants produced small, cherry-sized fruit that likely ripened to yellow (not red!). Though it was used as a food product, the tomato was not an important crop and was one of the last Solanum family plants (other include chili peppers, potatoes, and tobacco) to be brought north to Central America during cultural migrations. To this day, a number of wild tomato cultivars can still be found growing across South America!

The Aztec culture is credited with domesticating the tomato and incorporating it into their cuisine - way back in 500 BC. The tomato lived a fruitful, but quiet life until the sack of the Aztec capital Tenochtitlan by Hernan Cortez in 1521. Tomato seeds, among many other treasures, made it back to Europe following the seizing of the city. This jet-set really opened the doors for the future of tomatoes as a global food crop.



Across the Atlantic, the tomato underwent extensive breeding, most notably by the Italians, who created new varieties with all kinds of wonderful colors, shapes, and sizes - these fruits probably looked like what we call "heirlooms" today. Interestingly enough, these fruits were first bred as ornamentals, not as a food source! The first appearance of tomatoes in a European cookbook were published in Naples, Italy in 1692.

And who better to bring the glorious tomato back to America than Thomas Jefferson? The Jeffersons grew and bred tomatoes at Monticello, and along with a few other American botanists - most notably a man names Alexander Livingston, the number of tomatoes varieties around the world grew into the thousands! Jeffrey Campbell is another big player in the tomato game, making it a staple in the American household with his condensed tomato soup idea - he wanted to save money on shipping by removing some of the water weight, resulting in the iconic Campbell's Tomato Soup can.

Photo by Scott David Gordon

Folklore

There are loads of myths, legends, and stories centered around the tomato. The Pueblo nation believed that those who ingested the seeds of a tomato would be given powers of divination, while many people in colonial times believed tomatoes to be poisonous fruits. It was said that eating the fruit of a tomato plant would turn one's blood to acid. Sounds nasty! This misconception may have come from the fact that many toxic members of the nightshade family - mandrake, belladona, and poison nightshade - all look like their cousin, the tomato.

You can't keep a good veggie down though, and by the late 16th century, tomatoes were recognized as not just nonpoisonous, but delicious! The tomato earned a reputation as an aphrodisiac, with nicknames such as pomme d'amour - French for "love apple." In the 1920s, beautiful women were sometimes referred to by the slang phrase "hot tomato."

Photo by Scott David Gordon

Heirlooms, Hybrids, and more!

With literally thousands of cultivars all over the world, how does one decide how to grow the best tomato? Heirloom tomatoes are famous for having much better flavor (and beautiful shapes and colors) compared with most commercial varieties. Why is that?  A natural gene mutation resulted in the "u" gene - u for uniformly ripening. Once discovered, it was bred into some commercial varieties for that perfect, all-red tomato you see at big-box grocery stores that taste like cardboard. Unfortunately, tomatoes with this trait also produce less sugar, by about 10-15%.

Luckily, lots of tomatoes with better flavor exist - in reds, purples, yellows and more! If you want to save seed from your home tomatoes, be sure to get an heirloom, or at least an "open-pollinated" variety, as their offspring will look the same as the parent plant. If you buy new seeds from year to year, also consider browsing hybrid varieties - botanists cross-pollinate tomatoes to produce varieties with amazing traits - flavor, sweetness, vigorous growth, disease resistance and more. Some breeders are currently working on increasing disease resistance by hybridizing modern-day favorites with wild Andean cultivars - a plant's way of saying that [great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grand-]mother knows best!

Bonnie Plants has a great explanation of the differences between heirlooms, hybrids, and genetically modified varieties that's worth a read.

Heirloom Varieties:

• Cherokee Purple (read NPR's story of this tomato!)
• Yellow Pear - a gorgeous cherry
• Striped German - big, yellow and red beefsteak
• Amish Paste - the best sauce tomato

Hybrid:

• Sungold - everyone's favorite cherry.
• Big Beef - a red hybrid tomato that has definitely been bred for great flavor!
• Lemon Boy - cute, round salad tomatoes in a great shade of yellow

Photo by Scott David Gordon

Fun Facts

Why do we call tomatoes a vegetable, when they are really a fruit? You might blame the Supreme Court - in 1887, Nix v. Hedden determined that tomatoes should be subject to the 10% vegetable tariff that importer John Nix was protesting by importing this exotic "fruit".

In Arkansas, the tomato is both the state fruit AND the state vegetable!

Those hairs on the stems of your tomatoes? Each one has the potential to turn into a root if the stem is placed on the ground. This is why gardeners are encouraged to plant their tomatoes deep.

The town of Buñol, Spain, hosts an annual festival culminating in a giant tomato fight, called La Tomatina.

Photo by Scott David Gordon

Be on the look out the week of June 1st for our annual Tomato Sale to get rolling! We'd love to hear what you're planning on doing with this year's bounty - sauces? Salsa? Chutney? Let us know! And let's all hope this rain slows up - we need the heat units to ripen up these tomatoes, stat!

CSA Box Contents Week of May 23rd

CSA Box Contents Week of May 23rd

Medium Box
Bean, Green
Beet, Red
Cabbage, Red
Carrot, Orange
Greens, Kale, Curly
Herb, Basil
Herb, Fennel
Onion, Red
Potato, Red
Squash. Summer Medley

by Megan Winfrey

Holy humid! Did someone kidnap me in my sleep and move me to Houston? Although we've been miserably sweaty and mostly bound to the house all week, we're always thankful for rain and can't wait to enjoy the greenbelt once the sun returns! In the meantime, we'll be eating our produce raw and cold. This recipe is perfect for this sweltering, heavy heat and it is also super delicious and healthy! I'm going to be making this all summer.

Herbed Summer Squash & Pearl Pasta Salad

• 2 zucchini, sliced into thin rounds
• 1 yellow squash, sliced into ribbons
• 1 box Basil & Herb Pearled Couscous
• 2 tbs. parmesan cheese, finely grated
• 2 tbs. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. lemon zest
• 1 tbs. rice vinegar
• 6 tbs. extra virgin olive oil
• 2 cups shredded kale leaves
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
• 1 cup basil leaves, sliced into ribbons
• salt and pepper

Prepare the Pearled Couscous according to the instructions. Set aside and let cool.

Use a sharp knife or mandolin to slice the squash. I don't have a mandolin, so I used a sharp knife for the rounds and my vegetable peeler for the ribbons.

In a large bowl, combine the couscous, squash, kale, basil, and toasted almonds.

Whisk together the parmesan, lemon juice, zest, and vinegar. Slowly whisk in the olive oil and pour all over the salad. Incorporate well and top with more parmesan and lemon juice if desired. Salt and pepper to taste.

Serve warm or refrigerate and enjoy all week.

Beautiful close up of yellow squash. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Is it really already week 21?! Whew! This week we welcomed our brand new Tomato Crew to JBG. They spent Thursday out at our Garfield Farm picking tomatoes with the harvest crew before moving on to training at our packing shed. We're sure excited to have them on board - welcome, team!

We're really cranking out work on our greenhouse rebuild as well. We should have the new houses up in about 4 weeks, which will only put us a little behind on our seeding for Fall. For the meantime, we have plenty of work out in the fields as the heavy summer harvests keep coming in. Thanks to Scott David Gordon for his images of the farm this week!

Zucchini harvest on the trailer. Photo by Scott David Gordon

A striped yellow squash on the plant. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Look what we've got! Our very first table grapes. These probably won't ever make it off the farm - taste testing, you see.. Photo by Scott David Gordon

It's been one cloudy, humid week! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Bunching carrots. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Mm.. carrots. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Tomato field looking lush on a cloudy day. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Cherries and romas coming soon! Photo by Scott David Gordon

See that little bit of color? It'll be here before you know it! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Looking out over a field of cucumbers. Photo by Scott David Gordon

Time to bust our your Ball jars! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Have we mentioned how great these new harvest trailers are? Photo by Scott David Gordon

Happy flowers getting ready to bloom. Photo by Scott David Gordon

We're excited that flowers are back!!

Zinnias! Photo by Scott David Gordon

A sunflower just starting to open! Photo by Scott David Gordon

Photo by Scott David Gordon

And an onion flower for good measure.

We're rounding up news from around the web this week - what have you been reading that's stuck in your head this week? Recipes? Debates? Veggie memes? Share it with us in the comments!

What's it mean when a food label lists "natural" or "100% natural" ingredients? Well, turns out nobody is really sure, as the term is completely unregulated (unlike organic!). Activist website TakePart looks into "natural" labelling and discusses whether it should be banned on packaging.

Who wore it better? Donald Trump vs. sweet corn.

Austin CultureMap featured our partnership with MusicTechandFood! These folks are creating community bridging the tech and music worlds, with a mission to help the hungry. Pretty cool stuff - we were able to use money raised by MusicTechandFood for our Sponsored Share Program to deliver CSA shares to the Central Texas Food Bank (formerly Capital Area Food Bank).

Food waste is a huge issue in the US. This video PSA from Save the Food portrays the long, energetically-costly road of a single, uneaten strawberry from field to trash, to give you an idea of what resources go to waste when you don't finish your food.

Grounded Women is a blog that showcases the stories of women farmers on the east coast. Rad women, beautiful farms, diverse stories. This week, Kelly and the story of her first cow.

Joel Salatin on the amazing earthworm.

Local News: Giant food fight at Manor High School this week!

Bioversity International made the news for one of their project sites in the Bengas Valley in Nepal. Agro-biodiversity within a farming community is making these farmers and their surrounding habitats more resilient. Way to go!

Arrel just launched a Kickstarter campaign to bring a culinary innovation center/food laboratory to Austin. We're not 100% sure what that all means, but Eater Austin sure makes it sound like a project we would love to have in town!

What's on your reading list this week?

Photo by Scott David Gordon

Position Title: Bulk Crew Manager

Location: Hergotz Lane

Department: Packing

Reports To: Operations Manager

Supervises: Bulk Crew; Volunteers on Occasion

Position Summary:

The Bulk Crew is responsible for washing, processing, and packing vegetables harvested on the

farm, including preparing wholesale and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) orders. The Bulk Crew Manager is responsible for overseeing this team. This position is physically demanding, and is also responsible for ensuring produce quality and compliance with health regulations. The Bulk Crew Manager works closely with other managers (wholesale, CSA, etc.) and leads the Bulk Crew team to guarantee that operations and orders are completed correctly and in a timely manner. All farm employees are expected to be courteous, demonstrate a strong work ethic and attention to detail. We take pride on the farm in producing the highest quality vegetables through quality work.

Responsibilities

• Appropriately guide a team of workers to achieve greatest levels of efficiency and quality
• Receive, process, and package vegetables harvested on the farm
• Maintain a clean and sanitary working environment
• Ensure quality of all produce
• Prepare and package CSA orders
• Assist other crews in the completion of their essential tasks, dependent on sales or seasonal demands

Qualifications

Required

• An outgoing and friendly attitude! Ability to create a positive team dynamic is key, utilizing both interpersonal skills and maintaining excellent organization.
• Excellent judgment in prioritizing responsibilities and ability to multitask
• Self directed worker, effective in both independent and collaborative settings
• Willingness to work extra hours during seasonal peaks
• An interest in agriculture and promotion of local and organic farming

Preferred

• Previous farm or vegetable quality experience

Physical Requirements

• Ability to repeatedly lift 50lbs
• Ability to repeatedly kneel, bend, and squat
• Ability to withstand exposure to varying weather conditions
• Ability to withstand prolonged standing or walking

Schedule: Full-time. Monday-Friday 8am-5pm.

Compensation & Benefits: Compensation is dependent on experience. Expected salary range is $13/hr. Paid bi-weekly. Permanent employees are eligible for Individual Health Plan benefits.

Directions for Applying:

Please send an email to jobs@jbgorganic.com with the following format. Following specific directions is the first way to impress us!

• Subject Line should read “[Job Title]: [First Initial]_[Last Name]” … For example, “Planting Crew Coordinator: J_Smith”
• Email body should be short & sweet - help us notice you! Ensure that it contains your contact information.
• Attach three documents to your email, ensuring that their file names are clear:1) Cover Letter2) Resume3) List containing contact information of two professional references

Thank you for your interest in JBG Organic! You will be contacted for further information if we find that you might be a good fit for this position.

The responsibilities & duties listed above are intended to communicate general priorities of this position, but should not be understood as an exhaustive list of all work requirements to be completed at JBG Organic. Farms require flexibility! We are committed to training, developing, and promoting from within the company based on performance.

JBG Organic provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Photo by Scott David Gordon

Position Title: AM Wholesale Packing Manager Location: Hergotz Lane Department: Wholesale Reports To: Wholesale Sales Manager Supervises: Wholesale Packing Crew

Position Summary:

JBG is currently seeking a dependable and hardworking individual to manage our AM Wholesale Packing Crew. This crew is responsible for washing, processing, and packing vegetables harvested on the farm, with their primary focus being Wholesale orders. Efficiency is key in this position, though the team is also responsible for ensuring the highest level of produce quality, order accuracy, and compliance with health regulations. The AM Wholesale Packing Manager will work closely with the Wholesale Sales Manager and other department teams to guarantee that operations and orders are completed correctly and in a timely manner. This includes working as a team with other departments when the demands arise. All farm employees are expected to be courteous, demonstrate a strong work ethic and attention to detail. We take pride on the farm in producing the highest quality vegetables through quality work.

Responsibilities

• Ensure AM Wholesale Packing Crew completes the following daily:
• Receive, process, and package vegetables harvested on the farm
• Maintain a clean and sanitary working environment
• Ensure quality of all produce
• Prepare and package wholesale orders
• Communicate with other teams regarding workload and quality to ensure highest quality and improve systems over time

Qualifications Required

• No previous experience required, only a desire to learn farm work
• Keen sense of detail and ability to apply this to packing standards
• A mantra that “Teamwork doesn’t seem work!”
• Flexibility - hours and responsibilities may change due to seasonal demands or other farm happenings, and willingness to work late hours is essential

Preferred

• Previous experience in a warehouse setting, or with produce standards.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to repeatedly lift 50lbs
• Ability to repeatedly kneel, bend, and squat
• Ability to withstand exposure to varying weather conditions
• Ability to withstand prolonged standing or walking

Schedule: Monday through Thursday, starting at 8am-6:30pm or end of shift. Generally speaking, it is a minimum of 10 hours per day.

Compensation & Benefits: Payment is $12/hour, paid bi-weekly. Permanent employees are eligible for Individual Health Plan benefits. All JBG employees receive a weekly share of vegetables.

Directions for Applying: Please send an email to jobs@jbgorganic.com with the following format. Following specific directions is the first way to impress us!

• Subject Line should read “[Job Title]: [First Initial]_[Last Name]” … For example, “Planting Crew Coordinator: J_Smith”
• Email body should be short & sweet - help us notice you! Ensure that it contains your contact information.
• Attach three documents to your email, ensuring that their file names are clear:1) Cover Letter2) Resume3) List containing contact information of two professional references

Thank you for your interest in JBG Organic! You will be contacted for further information if we find that you might be a good fit for this position.

The responsibilities & duties listed above are intended to communicate general priorities of this position, but should not be understood as an exhaustive list of all work requirements to be completed at JBG Organic. Farms require flexibility! We are committed to training, developing, and promoting from within the company based on performance.

JBG Organic provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Photo by Scott David Gordon

Position Title: Greenhouse Manager Location: Garfield, TX Department: Planting Crew Reports To: Assistant Farm Manager Supervises: Volunteers; Assistant Greenhouse Grower or other crew, when applicable

Position Summary:

JBG Organic is seeking a Greenhouse Manager for our Garfield Farm. This position is responsible for the seeding, germination and careful care of plants which will later be transplanted into the fields, accounting for over 60% of the farm’s total production. The Greenhouse Manager plays an integral role in the farm’s year-round operation, working closely with the Head Grower, Harvest Coordinator, and farm administration. Given the importance of the position, qualified candidates should be able to demonstrate a high capacity to prioritize tasks, work on several different projects at once, pay attention to details, and, most importantly, an ability to learn. This position offers opportunity for job growth, and we are happy to train the right person.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with Assistant Farm Manager regarding greenhouse seeding plan, properly following verbal and written instructions when provided while also self-guiding workload when necessary
• Year-round plant seeding
• Mixing organic fertilizer and soil blends
• Assist with maintaining seed and supply inventories, monitoring for both quality and quantity
• Oversee regular greenhouse irrigation
• Ensure proper plant fertilization
• Supervise Assistant Greenhouse Grower or other crew (when applicable) in Greenhouse work
• Prepare for and manage annual Spring Transplant Sale
• Ensure compliance with organic and food safety standards
• Maintain a clean and sanitary work environment, organizing the greenhouse facilities to meet changing needs in most efficient manner as possible
• Adjust greenhouse plant arrangement to maximize growth and plant health
• Overall care of germinating plants to ensure greatest success rate and highest quality of transplants
• Greet & manage volunteers joining the JBG team at Garfield location

• Arrive promptly to ensure preparation for their arrival
• Lead individuals & groups for greatest level of productivity and safety, while also prioritizing their comfort and ensuring they have a positive and fun experience with JBG
• Work with appropriate peers to predict volunteer needs and communicate with staff at Hergotz to make sure appropriate numbers of volunteers are scheduled and to ensure volunteers receive vegetables as a thank you for their involvement
• Ensure all applicable equipment is maintained correctly
• Maintain proper documentation and inventories

Qualifications

Required

• At least 1 year horticultural experience, particularly in greenhouse setting or on organic farm
• Adaptive personality, able to adjust both work method and scale as the planting season fluctuates
• Self-directed worker with excellent ability to prioritize tasks and delegate work load, particularly in response to high demand
• Excellent communication and managerial skills
• Basic knowledge of crops, seedlings, and soil types
• Ability to work effectively in both independent and collaborative settings
• An outgoing and friendly attitude! Ability to create a positive team dynamic is key, utilizing both interpersonal skills and maintaining excellent organization.
• Willingness to work extra hours during seasonal peaks
• An interest in agriculture and promotion of local and organic farming

Preferred

• 3+ years of horticultural experience
• Spanish fluency
• Previous experience managing volunteers

Physical Requirements

• Ability to repeatedly lift 50 lbs
• Ability to repeatedly kneel, bend, and squat
• Ability to withstand exposure to varying weather conditions
• Ability to withstand prolonged standing or walking

Schedule: Full-time, Typically Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM with weekend work based on seasonal needs

Compensation & Benefits: Compensation is dependent on experience. Expected salary range is $14-15/hr.Paid bi-weekly. Permanent employees are eligible for Individual Health Plan benefits.

Directions for Applying:

Please send us an email with the following format. Following specific directions is the first way to impress us!

• Subject Line should read “[Job Title]: [First Initial]_[Last Name]” … For example, “Planting Crew Coordinator: J_Smith”
• Email body should be short & sweet - help us notice you! Ensure that it contains your contact information.
• Attach three documents to your email, ensuring that their file names are clear:1) Cover Letter2) Resume3) List containing contact information of two professional references

Thank you for your interest in JBG Organic! You will be contacted for further information if we find that you might be a good fit for this position.

The responsibilities & duties listed above are intended to communicate general priorities of this position, but should not be understood as an exhaustive list of all work requirements to be completed at JBG Organic. Farms require flexibility! We are committed to training, developing, and promoting from within the company based on performance.

JBG Organic provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, marital status, or sexual orientation.

CSA Box Contents Week of May 30th

CSA Box Contents Week of May 30th

Medium Box
Bean, Green
Carrot, Orange
Cucumber, Slicing
Greens, Kale, Dino
Herb, Spearmint
Leek
Onion, Red
Pepper Bell, Green
Potato, Red
Squash. Summer Medley