Description
Position Overview:
This position is full-time with expected fluctuations through the seasons to account for planting, harvesting, and dormant periods. The farm manager reports directly to the Executive Director and is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the Seedleaf Headwater Community Farm. These activities include cultivation of vegetable, grain, and fruit crops for Seedleaf partners and programs, management of farm sales and other financial transactions, organization and maintenance of farm infrastructure and resources, and the creation and management of public-facing farm events. The farm manager will ensure all farm expenses stay within budget and manage the farm assistant and seasonal employees. The Farm Manager will oversee the Seedleaf Market Garden Program and will work to make all farm-based programming activities support Seedleaf’s mission of ‘Nourishing Communities by Growing and Sharing Food’ in Lexington.
Requirements
Primary Responsibilities/Essential Duties:
The Farm Manager (FM) will perform routine farm maintenance in a timely manner at Seedleaf Farm properties. This includes organization of the tool shed, maintenance of tools and equipment, care of fences surrounding growing areas and care of farm soils.
FM will work to maintain a tidy and orderly farm appearance
FM will ensure cultivation of Seedleaf production areas and develop seasonal land management practices in collaboration with the Farm Assistant that align with Seedleaf’s values for ecologically sound and sustainable agricultural practices.
The FM will oversee seasonal employees and farm assistants. This means they will manage and supervise daily work tasks and handle staff write-ups and terminations.
The FM will develop and implement farm safety procedures related to tool use, food harvesting, handling, and post-harvest washing and packing (Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs and the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA)).
FM will coordinate the Fall and Winter session of the MG program, including farm tours and on-farm work sessions.
The FM will supervise MG plots at Headwater Farm. This does not mean working in their plot, but serving as a resource and monitoring for lease violations.
FM will provide verbal technical assistance to MG plot holders/leasees upon request and if the context demands it, brief physical demonstrations. The FM will not perform labor associated with plot maintenance or harvest of MGs’ plots.
FM will develop, implement, and improve upon standard operating procedures for farm operations.
Finances:
The FM will work closely with the Executive Director in maintaining a farm budget.
The FM will be directly responsible for farm material purchases.
The FM will oversee all pathways for farm revenue- this includes direct-to-consumer, wholesale, and specialty sales.
The FM will act as a liaison with partner organizations in which Seedleaf shares grant-related obligations related to farm programming.
Programming:
FM will also act as an ambassador for the Seedleaf community farm, describing programming to visitors and neighboring residents, and coordinating on-farm events.
Requirements:
1.Applicant needs to have management and supervising experience in farm or agricultural settings (minimum of 3 years).
2. Knowledge of farm machinery operation including agricultural tractors, heavy equipment, and power tools.
3. Strong mechanical knowledge related to equipment repair, maintenance of farm machinery, MRO (maintenance, repair & operations) skills.
4. Demonstrated outdoor work experience involving manual labor tasks such as heavy lifting and manual handling.
5. Familiarity with safety standards in agricultural production environments.
6. Experience working with irrigation systems, organic horticulture practices, greenhouse management, and growing crops7.Applicants need to have at least 3 years of experience in commercial row crop production.
7. Experience with non-profits and community development is a plus.
8. Needs to be adept at using Microsoft Word, Google Drive, and Excel for record-keeping and data tracking.
