Hiring a Farm Manager in Massachusetts

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Land’s Sake Farm in Weston, Massachusetts is Hiring a Farm Manager for the 2020 Season

About Land’s Sake (LS): LS is a small non-profit community and educational farm located in Weston, MA (the Boston Metro area). Our mission, to connect people to the land to build community and inspire lifelong stewardship, guides all that we do. LS works to build a community where people understand the importance of the land for food production and hunger relief, and that we must care for the land in a thoughtful, sustainable way; for education, health, and enjoyment; and to inspire the community to take action to sustain the many human values and environmental functions that the land provides.

LS manages five town owned parcels spread throughout Weston. We cultivate over twenty acres of mixed vegetables and five acres of flowers, and grow over 120,000 lbs of food each year. LS runs a 300- member Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program and operates a seasonal, bustling farmstand. The distribution of our produce is as follows: one-third is donated to hunger relief; one-third is sold through the farmstand; and the remaining one-third is sold to CSA members. Further, LS has a forestry program that includes cutting trees for firewood, tapping sap for maple syrup and growing Christmas trees. In addition to our farming and forestry operations, LS’ educational programming reaches thousands of youth and adults annually. Finally, throughout the year, LS organizes a number of community events at the farm and other locations in town.

We are looking for a new farm/land manager to come on board as soon as possible to train under the current farm manager, who will be departing in the fall of this year.

HIRING A FARM MANAGER
LS is looking for an exceptional candidate to fill the role of Farm Manager. Reporting to our Executive Director, the Farm Manager (FM) will oversee and run all day-to-day farming and forestry operations. The FM will possess strong experience and knowledge of ecological, sustainable, year-round produce production, experience managing a team of farm workers, a demonstrated aptitude to engage and cultivate new relationships within our community, and a strong, self-motivated work ethic.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
1. LS is hiring a farm manager to oversee and manage all produce and flower production (120,000 pounds annually) on the 40-acre farm, with attention to nutrient management and organic practices. Production includes a heated greenhouse, hoop house, and field production. LS is planning to move to a year-round growing operation in the next 3-5 years, and it’s our intent to obtaining an Organic certification over the next few years as well. Specific responsibilities herein include:

• Managing the 20-week CSA (June through December), including customer communications in conjunction with other staff, and all produce for necessary to run the farm stand for 6 months
• Managing a team of six or more employees, including additional part-time farm and forestry staff.
• Coordinating hunger relief efforts/donations to local organizations
• Assisting LS staff in managing partnerships with farmer’s markets as needed from June through September.

2. Mowing and maintaining fields adjacent to farm fields at several parcels.

3. Farm maintenance, including machinery and cropping systems, as well as basic maintenance, such as plumbing, electrical, and light construction work as needed.

4. Oversee and manage irrigation systems, including creating and managing a watering schedule for greenhouse, hoop house, and production fields (this includes hand-watering as needed).

5. Oversee and manage LS’s forestry program, including harvesting forests for firewood, Christmas trees and the maple sugaring operation.

6. Work with the Executive Director to create annual production and sales goals, as well as an annual farming budget, for which the FM will primarily be responsible.

7. Assist our Education Manager with hands-on, garden-based education, including providing a weekly list of potential farm tasks that match with educational goals.

8. Maintain system of record keeping and management.

9. Support LS’s capital campaign planning and execution.

10. Other general tasks as requested by Executive Director.

LS looks forward to hiring a farm manager willing to make a long-term commitment and who possesses the following qualifications and experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of farm/greenhouse management or 5 years of farm work experience.
• Excellent communication, collaboration and leadership skills, including a proven track record of working in a cooperative team environment that requires a high level of planning, and organization
• Ability to work well with a variety of customers and community members, including youth from diverse backgrounds. In addition, the experience and desire to work with and teach apprentices and youth on a regular basis.
• Experience with operating, maintaining and repairing machinery and power equipment.
• Knowledge of the principles of soil biology, no-till crop production, permaculture, growing perennials, using cover crops, utilizing living mulches, composting, soil testing, and/or other ecological/organic growing methods is a plus.
• Knowledge of forestry and maple syrup practices.
• Building/construction experience a plus.
• A willingness and ability to work outdoors in all types of weather, under potentially strenuous conditions.
• A detail-oriented approach, with considerable attention to order, cleanliness, and an ongoing commitment to improving systems and practices.
• Email communication (timely and proper etiquette), knowledge of Google Drive, Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint a plus.
• A desire to produce food of the highest nutritional, culinary, and ecological quality, and to continue to learn and grow as a person and farmer. Continuous personal development is encouraged and supported at Land’s Sake.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• A valid driver’s license
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 pounds
• Cell phone communication
• Reliable transportation
• Satisfactory background (including criminal) and reference checks

TIME REQUIREMENTS
This is a full-time job. During the growing season, a typical workweek is approximately 50-60 hours/week; in the off-season, the typical work week is 25-30 hours/week. THESE ARE ESTIMATES. Some evenings and weekends are required during the growing season and for special events.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

• This is a salaried position that will provide a competitive salary based on the market and the applicant’s experience, among other factors. Typically, an annual evaluation will be conducted, at which time compensation levels are reviewed.
• 50% of health care costs are covered by Land’s Sake.
• Partial mobile phone reimbursement.
• Two weeks paid vacation, paid holidays and 40 hours a year paid sick time.
• Access to organic produce and flowers grown on the farm.
• Personal and professional development opportunities in consultation with the executive director.
• The opportunity to work, learn, inspire, and be inspired alongside dedicated staff on a beautiful organic farm in a unique community!

TO APPLY: Please send a resume, cover letter, and two farming-related references to: pam@landssake.org

 

• Learn more about farming and food jobs and internships, or learn how to post a job, internship, or apprenticeship opportunity on beginningfarmers.org by going to https://www.beginningfarmers.org/internship-and-employment-opportunities/