Farm Production Assistant

Location: Chicago, IL

Type: Part Time / Seasonal (depending on need)

About Southside Blooms

Southside Blooms is a social enterprise cut flower farm based on Chicago’s South Side. The organization focuses on sustainable urban agriculture, workforce development, and creating meaningful employment opportunities while growing high-quality flowers for local markets and events.

Position Overview

The Farm Production Assistant supports daily farm operations across flower production, harvesting, post-harvest handling, and general farm maintenance. This role is hands-on, physically active, and ideal for someone who enjoys working outdoors, cares about sustainable agriculture, and is motivated by community impact.

You will work closely with farm leadership and production teams to ensure crops are grown, harvested, and processed efficiently and to high quality standards.

Key ResponsibilitiesDaily Responsibilities May Include

Assisting with planting, weeding, irrigating, and maintaining flower crops

Supporting greenhouse and field production tasks across multiple growing stages

Harvesting flowers at proper maturity and handling them with care for quality preservation

Processing, cleaning, and bunching flowers for storage and distribution

Maintaining farm infrastructure, tools, and workspaces

Following established production schedules and crop plans

Helping with pest and disease monitoring under guidance

Supporting delivery preparation and occasional market/event prep

Upholding safety, cleanliness, and organization across all farm areas

Qualifications

Required:

Ability to perform physically demanding outdoor work in all weather conditions

Comfort with repetitive tasks, lifting (up to ~40 lbs), and standing for long periods

Reliability, punctuality, and strong work ethic

Willingness to learn and follow detailed instructions

Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

Preferred

Experience in farming, horticulture, landscaping, or greenhouse work

Familiarity with cut flower production or small-scale agriculture

Interest in sustainable agriculture, food systems, or community development

Work Environment

This role is primarily outdoors and in greenhouse environments. Conditions may include heat, cold, mud, rain, and fast-paced seasonal workloads. Work is hands-on and requires attention to detail, especially during harvest and post-harvest handling.

Compensation & Benefits

Training in flower farming and sustainable agriculture practices

Opportunity to grow within a mission-driven organization

Exposure to urban agriculture, distribution systems, and floral design workflows

Potential for advancement into lead farm or production roles

Equal Opportunity Statement

Southside Blooms is committed to inclusive hiring practices and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. We value lived experience, community connection, and a willingness to learn alongside formal agricultural experience.