Farmhand

Position Summary:

The Farmhand supports daily farm production and sales while contributing to a collaborative, educational farm environment. This role is primarily hands-on, working alongside the Farm Manager, staff, and apprentices to grow, harvest, and prepare high-quality produce while upholding HIP Ag’s soil-centered and community-focused farming practices. The Farmhand plays an essential role in keeping the farm running smoothly, safely, and efficiently.

Key Responsibilities:

• Production & Field Work:
  
  • Assist with planting, cultivating, and maintaining crops across the market garden, orchard, greenhouse, and agroforestry systems
  • Support soil health practices including compost application, mulching, cover cropping, and crop rotation
  • Participate in harvesting, washing, packing, and preparing produce for Waimea Farmers Market, Kohala Food Hub, and local buyers
  • Help monitor crop health, irrigation, and weather impacts, and flag issues to the Farm Manager
• Post-Harvest & Sales Support:
  
  • Assist with harvest timing, quality control, and post-harvest handling
  • Help prepare produce for delivery and market days
  • Support accurate tracking of harvests and basic production data for farm records and organic compliance
• Team & Learning Environment:
  
  • Work alongside staff and Residential Apprenticeship Program (RAP) participants in the field
  • Contribute to a positive, respectful, and supportive learning environment
  • Follow direction, ask questions, and engage in learning new techniques and systems
  • Support safety, organization, and good communication on the farm
• Tools, Equipment & Infrastructure:
  
  • Use hand tools, irrigation systems, and farm equipment safely and properly 
  • Help with basic maintenance, cleaning, and organization of tools, greenhouse, and work areas
  • Report equipment or infrastructure issues to the Farm Manager
• Community & Farm Culture: 
  
  • Occasionally assist with farm tours, educational days, or farmers market activities
  • Help uphold HIP Ag’s values of land stewardship, reciprocity, and community care in daily work 
  • Represent HIP Ag respectfully when interacting with visitors, customers, and partners

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Qualifications:

• 1–3+ years of hands-on farm experience in organic, natural, or regenerative agriculture
• Experience working in at least one of the following: market gardens, orchards, agroforestry systems, or greenhouse production
• Experience working on a farm team, with interns, apprentices, or in a collaborative field setting
• Willingness to learn and grow within a diversified tropical farm environment

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Skills & Attributes:

• Strong work ethic, reliability, and attention to detail
• Ability to follow direction while also working independently when needed
• Positive, collaborative communication style
• Curiosity and openness to learning new farming methods and systems
• Basic understanding of organic farming principles and food safety standards
• Comfort working with hand tools, irrigation systems, and basic farm equipment
• Alignment with HIP Ag’s values of community health, reciprocity with the land, and respect for indigenous knowledge

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Work Environment:

• Must be able to lift 50 pounds and work outdoors year-round in varying weather. 
• Must be able to work 8-hours in the field performing physical activities.

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Terms & Compensation:

This is a full-time position beginning ideally in February 2026. Compensation is an hourly rate of $20–$24, commensurate with experience. On-site housing is available. If interested, 8 hours of weekly farm work will be applied toward housing, with the remaining 32 hours paid. 

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Application Process:

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and the contact information for three references via email to programs@hipagriculture.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please include “Farmhand – [Your Name]” in the subject line.