Assistant Organic Farm Manager Job in MI

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UNIQUE ASSISTANT ORGANIC FARM MANAGER POSITION AT THE MARTIN FAMILY FARM IN MICHIGAN – 2020

I am the sole owner of The Martin Family Farm, located in Armada, Michigan, and I am seeking an Assistant Organic Farm Manager for the upcoming 2021 season.   This is a unique opportunity for a person passionate about organic farming, as the selected applicant will learn every aspect of what it takes to run a successful organic vegetable farm from buying the seeds to marketing one’s crops.   If your dream is to someday own an organic farm, this job could lead to the fulfillment of that wish, as I’m considering transiting my farm to a new owner in the foreseeable future.

The Martin Family Farm is USDA certified organic and operates on 21 acres, with about 8 to10 acres in vegetable production each season. It also has five cold frame greenhouses, encompassing 9500 square feet.  Our season runs from April 1^st to November 25^th.

My farm currently has 170 CSA customers, and that number will increase to 220-250 in 2021. I also provide vegetables for two large grocery stores, restaurants, and a large juice company.

• Applicant work experience and skills I am seeking include:
• previous experience working on an organic vegetable farm
• excellent people management/leadership skills (shown by example)
• outstanding work ethic, including a willingness to work occasional long hours and some weekend days
• valid driver’s license and a good driving record
• sales skills, including building and maintaining relationships with a diversified customer base
• ability to lift 50lbs +
• tractor and farm equipment operation experience (this could be acquired on the job)
• some basic understanding of the organic certification process
• detailed record keeping ability
• desire to acquire on-the-job training on all aspects of running a successful organic farm in hopes of some day owning one’s own farm
• skills in maintaining and updating websites

I have 16 years’ experience owning and operating a USDA certified organic vegetable farm, and I have worked closely with Michigan State University’s Organic Farm Program during that time.   One of the biggest perks of the job will be my training and mentoring of my selected Assistant Farm Manager.  That person will learn:

• The ins and outs of organic certification, including observing my USDA annual inspection
• Drip Irrigation/irrigation planning and implementing
• Plastic mulch laying and transplanting
• Cold frame greenhouse planting, scheduling, maintaining including pest and disease management
•  Fertilization needs/compost tea for healthy plants
• Sales/customer relations
• Employee relations/making the farm a fun and rewarding place to work/managing a crew of 2-4 people
• Managing a large weekly CSA
• Managing a heated greenhouse for seed propagation.

The Assistant Organic Farm Manager is a salaried position and, depending on your experience and qualifications, pay can range from $22,000 to $30,000. If needed, I will assist successful applicant in finding housing.

Check out my farm at themartinfamilyfarm.com, or on Facebook at “The Martin Family Farm Capac MI.”

You can contact me at themartinfamilyfarm@gmail.com.  Please include a resume and letter of interest.  I will be setting up telephone interviews for qualified applicants in the late summer and early fall.  If interested, contact me ASAP, but not later than November 1, 2020.

                                                                                                                                Be well and healthy

                                                                                                                                Matt Martin (Farmer Matt)

• Learn more about farming and food jobs and internships, or learn how to post a job, internship, or apprenticeship opportunity on beginningfarmers.org here.