Farm Manager Job in Vermont

Farm Job: Manager at Sweetland Farm in Norwich, Vermont

Sweetland Farm in Norwich, Vermont is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic and charismatic farm manager to co-run our 87-acre diversified farm. Our 2-acre sustainable vegetable operation supplies a 125-member CSA, and the rest of the farmland consists of actively managed hay fields, pastures for our livestock, and perennial crops. The ideal candidate should be positive, hardworking, creative, and collaborative. Applicants should have 5 or more years of organic/sustainable vegetable growing and animal husbandry experience, with at least two of those years spent managing or co-managing a production farm of similar scale and/or complexity. We are known for our high quality and bountiful vegetables, our happy and healthy animals, our thoughtful care of the land, and our commitment to creating a great and meaningful experience for our customers. We are looking for a farmer that will uphold and further those standards. Sweetland is a new and rapidly expanding farm, where there is a lot of room to make a big impact as a farm manager. In the 2014 season we will be growing from 70 to 125 CSA members, bringing new land into cultivation, expanding our hay-making, and increasing our pastured meat production. This is a great opportunity for someone who is looking to play a critical role in the development of a successful farm business: fine-tuning existing farm systems, developing and implementing new systems, tracking and analyzing individual enterprises on the farm, and seeking out prospective new markets. The successful candidate will embrace the varied and intense work of a start-up farm, have an insurmountably positive attitude, will communicate well with a small, close-knit team, and can manage production pressure during the height of the growing season. See more information about this job, and learn how to apply by clicking "read more"

Tweet

For more information about Sweetland, please visit www.sweetlandfarmvt.com.

Preferred start date for our new farm manager is April 1, 2014. He/she will work side-by-side with the head farmer until May, at which point 2-3 part- and full-time farm hands will join the crew. This one-season position has the possibility of growing into a long-term job if the candidate is a good fit. Applications are due by December 15, 2013.

Experience and skills required:

v Two or more years of vegetable farm management or co-management experience, preferably at a farm of near or equal size and diversity.

v At least 5 years total experience working on vegetable production farms, with a range of experiences preferred.

v Experience working with a range of farm animals.

v Demonstrated planning and organizational skills.

v Working knowledge of farm infrastructure, equipment, and tools.

v An outgoing, engaging, positive communication style.

v Well-developed problem-solving skills.

v Disciplined work ethic and responsible nature.

v Ability to lift, carry, and move heavy items repeatedly and the endurance to perform hard physical labor throughout the growing season.

v Strong written and verbal communication skills.

v Basic mechanic skills and ability to operate a wide range of farm machinery.

v Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record.

Basic responsibilities:

v Work closely with farmer to manage and improve all aspects of the farm operation.

v Develop and implement annual crop rotation plan, including greenhouse/hoophouse plans and field planting/cover cropping plan.

v Care for pasture-raised sheep, pigs, laying hens and meat birds, including rotational pasture setup, daily feeding, health checkups, and on-farm processing of meat birds.

v Manage 4000 square bale hay-making operation.

v Train and manage field crew of hired and volunteer labor, creating a positive work environment with high standards for excellence.

v Care and maintenance, of  farm equipment and infrastructure including tractors, trucks, tractor implements, etc.

v Availability for shared weekend farm coverage (animal chores, watering).

v Uphold high standards for production and presentation of produce.

v Interact positively with customers.

Compensation

v This is a full-time, partial-year position, running from April-November with roughly 50-hours/week of work expected.

v Salaried compensation is commensurate with experience, ranging from $1,800-$2,200/month

v One week of paid vacation

v Veggies and meat from the farm.

To Apply

Email your resume, a thoughtful cover letter and three references to Norah Lake (Farmer) at: sweetlandvt@gmail.com by December 15, 2013.

Qualified candidates will receive a more comprehensive job description during the interview process.