Pay: $16.00-18.00 per hour
Job Type: Seasonal, Full-Time (Approx. 32-40 hours/week including all weekends in peak season except for July 4th/5th)
Season Duration: May 19th through August 7th 2026
About the Role:
Plainly Elegant Lavender is a working farm dedicated to sustainable and high-quality botanical products. We are seeking a Farm Operations Assistant to join us for the 2026 harvest.
This is a unique opportunity that combines hands-on agricultural work with professional skill development. You will be working in the field and trained to operate specialized machinery, manage retail inventory, and process botanical crops.
Who Should Apply:
We value work ethic and reliability over a "perfect" resume. We strongly encourage applications from:
- Individuals returning to the workforce after a gap in employment.
- Career changers looking to learn a new trade.
- Veterans and service members transitioning to civilian life.
- Recent graduates looking for hands-on experience.
What You Will Do (The Job):
- Machinery Operation: Under supervision, learn to safely operate and maintain farm equipment, including a John Deere 420 tractor and the Besel Lavender Processor.
- Harvesting: Perform manual harvesting using traditional scythe techniques, ensuring optimal bloom stage and crop health.
- Processing: Assist with the drying, threshing, and cleaning of lavender bundles to create market-ready products.
- Retail Support: Assist in the farm stand with customer service, Point-of-Sale (POS) transactions, and inventory restocking.
- Field Maintenance: Perform general field tasks including weeding, planting, soil and irrigation checks.
What We Provide (The Training):
We are committed to upskilling our team. You will receive approximately 400 hours of structured, on-the-job training in:
- Agricultural Safety & Ergonomics
- Small Farm Machinery Operation (Loader & PTO implements)
- Botanical Crop Processing
- Agri-Business Retail Operations
Requirements:
- Age: Must be 18+ years old (Required for insurance coverage on heavy machinery).
- Driver's License: A valid driver's license with a clean record is required.
- Mechanical Aptitude: Must have prior experience operating basic equipment (e.g., riding lawn mowers, zero-turn mowers, skid steers, or similar). You do not need to be a tractor expert, but you must be comfortable learning and servicing mechanical systems.
- Reliability: The harvest schedule is dictated by nature. Punctuality and reliable transportation to the farm are strictly required.
- Availability: Must be available to work weekends (Saturday/Sunday) during the peak harvest window in June and July.
Physical Demands & Working Conditions:
- Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs repeatedly.
- Ability to stand, kneel, bend, and crouch for extended periods.
- Weather: This job takes place outdoors. You must be willing to work in all Michigan summer weather conditions, including heat, humidity, mud, and rain, while maintaining a positive attitude.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement:
Plainly Elegant Lavender is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
At-Will Employment:
This position is an at-will employment opportunity in the State of Michigan. Employment is for an indefinite period and may be terminated at any time by either the employer or the employee, with or without cause or notice.
