*position filled* JOB VACANCY: Lead Flower Grower / Assistant Veg Grower MATERNITY COVER

Fixed-term maternity cover from 13 April to 18 December 2026 at Five Acre Farm, Backwell, North Somerset BS48 3BQ.

About the role

We are looking for a skilled cut-flower and vegetable grower with at least one season’s commercial experience in both areas to join our small regenerative-farm team. The role is 4 days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) from April to October, reducing to 2 days per week in November and December. One Sunday in four is required (with a weekday off in lieu). Time is split roughly evenly between flowers and vegetables.

This is an opportunity to step up and lead our flower operation—from propagation, bed prep and planting to harvesting, bunching, drying, and leading wreath workshops—while also assisting with all aspects of vegetable production. You will work alongside our florist and receive handover support plus an existing cropping plan from our usual flower grower. The role includes leading regular volunteer groups and offers chances to develop people-management and organisational skills.

We prefer one person to cover both flowers and vegetables, but we are open to applications from individuals who wish to focus solely on flowers or vegetables for 2 days per week; please state your preference clearly if this applies.

Responsibilities

Flowers

• Manage the flower patch and additional flower beds, including polytunnel crops
• Maintain a continual supply of flowers for pick-your-own, shops, and market
• Handle propagation, no-dig bed prep, and planting
• Perform weed and pest management, supporting, pinching, and deadheading
• Harvest, condition, and bunch fresh flowers
• Harvest and dry flowers for winter use
• Liaise with pick-your-own wedding-flower customers and provide guidance on cutting and conditioning
• Organise, prepare, and facilitate winter wreath workshops
• Coordinate tasks with the florist and oversee volunteers
• Keep clear records of sowing, planting, and harvesting timings

Vegetables

• Assist with all aspects of vegetable production and sales
• Handle propagation, no-dig bed prep, planting, harvesting, packing, weed and pest management
• Operate tractors for cultivation (training provided if needed)
• Contribute to practical decision-making, such as prioritising farm jobs and assessing produce availability
• Occasional Sunday staffing of our south-Bristol market stall, including transporting produce (if you hold a driving licence)
• Coordinate tasks with team members and oversee volunteers

Requirements

• Minimum one full season’s commercial experience in both flower and vegetable production
• Solid understanding of growing techniques and the particular requirements of a wide range of flower crops
• Reasonable standard of physical fitness and weather-hardiness
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and at a good pace

Desirable skills

• Full driving licence
• Tractor-driving experience
• Experience of floristry and flower-drying
• Familiarity with no-dig production methods
• Hunger to keep learning and developing horticultural and related skills
• Commitment to organic principles and enthusiasm for ecology
• Open communicator who enjoys collaborative decision-making
• Eye for detail and quality
• Enthusiasm for making processes more efficient
• Experience of managing volunteers

Schedule

• April–October: 4 days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday), typically 36 hours (7 am–4 pm)
• November–December: 2 days per week
• Occasional Sunday cover (1 Sunday out of 4, with a weekday off in lieu)