Farm Manager Job in Tennessee
Farm Manager Job in Tennessee at Southall Village and Inn – 2021
THIS POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED FOR 2021. PLEASE CHECK BACK AGAIN NEXT YEAR!
Position: Farm Manager Job, Southall Village and Inn
Status: Regular, Full-Time, Exempt
Reports to: Director of Land Stewardship
Location: Southall,TN
Start: February 2021
About Southall Village and Inn
A premier destination bringing nature, produce and people together in a powerful and unique way. This position will be responsible for the stewardship of land management including landscape maintenance, horticultural elements, agricultural fields, orchards gardens and related programs. Southall has a commitment to managing the property with ecological principles and leaning towards a future with biodynamic management practices and sustainable decision making.
Farm Manager Job in Tennessee – Position Overview
Southall Farms is seeking an experienced Farm Manager to oversee all areas of existing farm operations and develop and expand the farm as it grows. Provide leadership and coordinate with facilities, grounds, culinary and other staff across the organization in the development and operations of the farm. The Farm Manager will be part of implementing the vision to elevate the agricultural experience for staff, guests and visitors.
The primary goals for the farm operation are to produce high quality ingredients, provide engaging experiences for guests and staff and be as financially self-sufficient as possible. Southall Village and Inn aims for seamless integration with the guest experience, farm-to-table dining and meaningful public engagement. The current farm footprint includes approximately 3 acres production fields, roughly 1 acre organic kitchen garden, small greenhouse, 3+ acre orchard, pasture fields.
Strong leadership, initiative and communication will need to be the core of managerial skills.
The Farm Manager will:
- effectively communicate with the culinary team and other resort departments to develop a crop plan and distribution that supports catering, dining, product development and events.
- delegate tasks and define roles and responsibilities within the farm team
- maintain consistent communication with the Director of Land Stewardship on progress and process
- feel comfortable engaging with guests to enhance their experience
- develop strong morale with the staff by encouraging participation in the farm for those that work at the resort
Additionally, the Southall is looking to develop agricultural programming so that it nourishes the guests and the land.
As the Farm Manager you will:
- focus on regenerative, biodynamic and/or organic farming principles and practices
- have a high level of integrity when it comes to land management and engaging with the public
- a willingness to learn and teach new processes and collaborate on concepts surrounding the agricultural vision
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
FARM MANAGEMENT
- Supervise all steps of crop production including planting, fertilizing, harvesting, and building healthy soil.
- Develop an annual crop plan based on demands from on-site restaurants, farmstand, event and other outlets.
- Planning and implementation of weekly planting and harvest schedule
- Determine and maintain annual farm budget and cost projections
- Stay educated on national best practices and innovative farm models.
- Coordinate sales and distribution of all farm products such as fresh produce, herbs, flowers and animal products
- Maintain clear records of each season’s planting and harvest logs.
- Select and purchase supplies for farm operations such as seeds, fertilizers, supplies,
- Adapt duties to the seasons, weather conditions, or a crop’s growing cycle
- Infrastructure planning, creation and maintenance
- Insect, pest, critter and weed control, monitoring and management
- Fertility monitoring, general field observation
- Implementation, maintenance and monitoring of deer fencing
- Irrigation planning, implementation and management
- Soil building program – including implementing and managing a composting program
- Maintain farm facilities, such as water pipes, hoses, fences, and animal shelters
- Maintain and Repair farm machinery, as needed (with assistance from on-site mechanic)
- Participate in planning for long term farm development
STAFF MANAGEMENT
- Hire, train and manage small full-time crew
- Coordinate with Orchardist and on-site tenets and vendors
- Coordinate and hire seasonal staff
- Engage with resort staff integration through providing appropriate cross-training
- Provide professional development for staff, share new and improved best practices.
- Implement and ensure staff carry out directions from Director of Land Stewardship
- Provide work plans and performance reviews for direct reports
GUEST EXPERIENCES AND PROGRAMMING
- Engage staff, guests and visitors in farm tours, hands-on farm work and educational workshops
- Assist with marketing and engagement efforts, contribute to updates on farm for internal and external marketing
- Cooperate with community partners
- Integration of farming efforts with other departments
- Work with Program Manager on all farm-related event preparations
- Some evening and special event hours will be required
Required Qualifications and Experiences
The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- 5 + years of relevant work experience within the fields of organic/biodynamic farm management
- Experience with operating tractors and other farming equipment with strong knowledge of equipment use and safety
- Outstanding and proven skills in managing diverse teams with maximized productivity and efficiency
- Passion for interacting with and educating guests, visitors and staff of varied ages and backgrounds
- Passion for sustainable, regenerative and/or biodynamic farming
Cooperative, service-oriented attitude and ability to work independently and take initiative, set priorities and see projects through to completion
- Strong communication, interpersonal and relationship development skills
- Ability to be open and flexible to new ways of working with diverse communities
- Creative skills and ability to experiment to attain new, better strategies, approaches, and solutions to challenges
- Flexibility and willingness to take on a variety of tasks along with an ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, team environment
- Promotes a warm and friendly work environment
- Computer skills
- A valid driver’s license and clean driving record
Preferred Qualifications and Experience:
- Experience in a hospitality environment
- Certification and/or degree in sustainable agriculture education or related field (biodynamics, permaculture, etc…)
- Experience with soil and water management
- Experience working with livestock
- Experience working with fruit/nut orchards
- Carpentry skills
- Familiarity with food safety guidelines
- Knowledge of species and climate specific to Tennessee or similar
- Experience as an agricultural or environmental educator
- Project management experience
Reporting Relationships
- Reports to the Director of Land Stewardship
- Supervises all farm staff
- Coordinates closely with Orcharist and Program Manager
Compensation
Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits Package available.
As a salaried position the schedule will vary by week and seasons with long days often required and split shifts during the heat of the summer. 40 or more hours per work and 5 or 6 days per week will be required for the position to be successful.
Essential Physical Tasks
Continual walking, standing, climbing, stooping, bending, kneeling, reaching, lifting, cutting and carrying.
Equipment Used
Tractors, Bobcat, dump truck, delivery truck, pick-up truck, rental equipment, hand tools, power tools, computer.
How to Apply for the Farm Manager Job in Tennessee
THIS POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED FOR 2021. PLEASE CHECK BACK AGAIN NEXT YEAR!
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