Build real farming skills while helping grow food for South Florida communities.

Location: Miami-Dade County, Florida + some regional travel

Job Type: Part-time, approximately 30–35 hours/week

Compensation: $20/hour | W-2 | Overtime eligible

Term: September 2026 – June 30, 2027

 

About Neighborhood Farms USA

Neighborhood Farms USA is a Florida 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to strengthen the connection between people, food, and the land, one neighborhood at a time. We build and support neighborhood-scale farms and gardens, train new farmers through hands-on agricultural education, and help move fresh, locally grown food to the communities that need it.

This year, we are establishing 11–12 growing sites across Florida, training 40 Floridians in hands-on food production, and expanding fresh food access for more than 1,000 residents.

 

About the Position

We are looking for a dependable, motivated Farm Assistant to work alongside our Head Farmer at the Neighborhood Farms USA Mini Farm at Florida International University and at growing sites throughout South Florida. This is a hands-on position for someone who wants to build real farming skills by doing the work every day. You will participate in the full growing cycle, preparing soil, starting seeds, planting, cultivating, irrigating, harvesting, washing, and packing, while also helping us build new gardens and support workshops and community events. If you are early in your farming or horticulture career and want a full South Florida growing season of practical production experience, this position is designed to give you that opportunity.

 

What You’ll Be Doing

• Prepare growing beds; seed, transplant, weed, trellis, cultivate, and maintain vegetable crops.
• Start seeds, care for seedlings, and help manage nursery plants through field planting.
• Help build new growing sites, including bed construction, soil preparation, irrigation installation, and first plantings.
• Monitor irrigation systems and assist with basic repairs and troubleshooting.
• Harvest, wash, pack, and prepare produce for distribution.
• Assist with workshops, farmer-training sessions, volunteer days, and community events.
• Travel with the Head Farmer to community gardens and other NFUSA-supported growing sites as needed.

Who We’re Looking For

• Some hands-on growing experience from a farm, community garden, serious home garden, horticulture program, volunteer position, or similar experience preferred.
• Genuine interest in learning production farming as a craft.
• Reliability and a strong work ethic.
• Willingness to work outdoors and perform physical farm work in South Florida conditions.
• Comfort using basic tools and willingness to learn bed construction, irrigation installation, and other practical farm skills.
• Good communication and ability to work as part of a small team.
• Valid Florida driver’s license and reliable transportation.
• A specific degree is not required. We care more about reliability, curiosity, willingness to learn, and your interest in doing this work well.

Experience That’s a Plus

• Previous farm, garden, nursery, landscaping, or horticulture experience.
• Interest in regenerative agriculture and local food systems.
• Irrigation or basic farm equipment experience.
• Community garden or volunteer experience.
• Food-safety or horticulture training.
• Spanish language skills.

Schedule, Location & Travel

Approximately 30–35 hours per week, primarily based at the NFUSA Mini Farm at Florida International University in Miami, with some travel to new and partner growing sites. Some flexibility may be required around planting, harvest, installations, workshops, and community events. Mileage and approved travel expenses are reimbursed. Some weekend availability for special events will be required.

 

Compensation & Benefits

• $20/hour.
• Three paid holidays.
• Five days of paid time off after a 90-day introductory period.
• Mileage and approved travel reimbursement.
• Health insurance is not currently offered.
• This is a grant-funded position through June 30, 2027. Continuation beyond the current grant period will depend on renewed funding.

Interested? We’d Like to Hear From You

Please email your resume to thais.thiesen@nfusa.org with “Farm Assistant Application” in the subject line.

Rather than a formal cover letter, please briefly answer these questions in the body of your email:

1. Why are you interested in this position and in learning more about production farming?
2. Tell us about any farming, gardening, horticulture, landscaping, nursery, or other relevant hands-on experience you have.
3. What are you hoping to learn or become better at through this position?
4. Please confirm that the location, travel, 30–35 hour weekly schedule, and starting compensation of $20/hour work for you.

 

A few thoughtful paragraphs are plenty. Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, and the position will remain open until filled.

 

Neighborhood Farms USA is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of every background and are glad to discuss reasonable accommodations at any point in the process.