Organic Seed Alliance puts the power of seed into the hands of growers. Our work promotes
an abundant and diverse supply of organic seed, tended in perpetuity by skilled, diverse, and interconnected communities of seed stewards. As the California Field Research Assistant, you will play a vital role in OSA’s work to grow organic seed systems that are democratic and just, support human and environmental health, and deliver genetically diverse and regionally adapted seed to farmers everywhere.
As we work with farmers and program partners from across the country and the globe, the research we conduct for our California-based projects serves as a testing ground and model for organic plant breeding, variety improvement and seed production for the California region and for seed systems everywhere.
Your primary responsibility will be to manage organic seed field trials at our trial field at the College of the Redwoods (CR) Sustainable Agriculture Farm in Shively, CA. The primary research project will be the OSPREY project, with smaller research emphasis on SCOPE, TOMI, and partner organization seed growing projects.
Responsibilities:
Research Project Coordination:
- Manage organic vegetable seed field trials including crop establishment, maintenance, data collection, harvesting, and seed cleaning for tomatoes, broccoli, squash, and lettuce.
- Coordinate with CA Research Associate and Research and Education Director regarding timing and protocols for data collection, trial management, and data reporting.
- Implement standardized research protocols and ensure data integrity and quality.
Field Operations:
- Independently perform daily cultivation and maintenance of trial plots, including bed preparation, planting, irrigation, fertilization, weeding, harvesting, and coordinating with College of the Redwoods staff as needed.
- Maintain detailed field and harvest records.
Outreach and Education:
- Participate in and support field days, workshops, and other Organic Seed Alliance outreach events.
- Engage with project partners and collaborators from College of the Redwoods and the broader organic farming community.
Qualifications:
- Commitment to a values-based work culture emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Prior experience and familiarity with organic/ecological farming or gardening practices required.
- Experience in agricultural research and data collection preferred.
- Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Reliable vehicle and willingness to commute to the trial site in Shively, CA.
- Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions and lift at least 50 pounds.
Please see the full job description linked below for more details.
To Apply:
Please send a resume and one-page letter of interest to Jared Zystro at jared+fieldassistant@seedalliance.org.
