Job: Farm Director, Greenbank Farm Training Center – Whidbey Island, WA
The primary responsibilities of this position include oversight of all farming and training in collaboration with others:
- Providing leadership in the on-going development, implementation and evaluation of the training center’s farm and educational programs including managing the day-to-day activities of the Training Center
- Educational training of the farmer-trainees in the classroom and in the field.
- Management of the farm’s infrastructure, production and marketing. This includes the cultivation of certified organically-grown crops and the distribution of them through various outlets including a CSA program, the Greenbank Farmers Market and wholesale accounts.
Measureable results of a successful program will include:
- 7 to 10 trained farmers through the full-time experiential program
- 7 to 10 trained farmers through the weekly 3-hour academic course
- Crop production supporting a minimum of 50 CSA shares, 20 Farmers Market Harvests, and wholesale commitments
- A balanced budget
- Improvements in the farm’s biological diversity and soil fertility
- A 3-year farm development and operation plan with budget
- A core group of sustainable farmers working with the program and integrating their apprentice training into the GFTC program.
Responsibilities for education at the Training Center include:
- Recruit, select and orient new farmer-trainees
- Continually develop and refine the GFTC farmer training program curriculum, focused on small-scale commercial organic production, marketing and small business management
- Prepare and present the curriculum to farmer-trainees
- Train and guide farmer-trainees in farm tasks
- Evaluate farmer-trainee progress and offer constructive reflections
- Provide leadership in creating a positive social environment for the farmer-trainees
Responsibilities in management of the farm production & infrastructure include:
- Develop a crop plan (based on the marketing plan) including planting dates, amounts, locations, etc.
- Implement the crop plan with farmer-trainees
- Use organic best-management practices to build fertility, grow healthy and productive crops, and minimize weeds and pests
- Harvest and market/distribute the crops grown
- Maintain and develop the farm’s infrastructure to efficiently support the production goals of the program
- Maintain accurate records as needed to maintain WSDA organic certification
Responsibilities in outreach and marketing include:
- Develop a marketing plan, with the Outreach Director, including CSA, farmers market and wholesale outlets
- Assist the Outreach Director with the sale of 50 CSA shares
- Manage weekly participation in the Greenbank Farmers Market
- Maintain communications with wholesale accounts
- Assist the Outreach Director in creating a regular newsletter for farm customers
- Represent the training center at public events as needed
- Solicit and manage collaborative farm research projects with regional partners to enhance the educational potential of the farm.
Responsibilities in the administration of the project include:
- Communicate as needed with the GFTC Outreach Director, the Board of Directors of the GFMG, GFMG staff, program partners and the public
- Create annual and long-term work plans and budgets for the farming and educational aspects of the training center
- Manage farm and education budget, with GFMG support, including tracking all expenses and income
- Provide quarterly progress reports and an annual report to the GFMG in collaboration with the Outreach Director
- Participate in and assist guiding Advisory Board meetings
Qualifications:
Management
- Ability to effectively work and communicate (both written and verbal) with management, coworkers, students and community partners
- Ability to develop short and long term work plans and budgets based on program goals
- Ability to plan, prioritize, implement, and complete projects in a timely fashion
- Ability to create, organize, and maintain records and files both electronically and in hardcopy – skills in keeping records, using a computer in a professional environment including word processors, spreadsheets, and overhead projection programs such as Power Point
- Ability to order supplies and equipment within budgetary constraints
Farming
- One to three years demonstrated working knowledge of organic farming systems including: field crops, propagation, planting, tillage, soil fertility, composting, pest and disease control, irrigation, harvest, and post-harvest handling as system components
- Experience in successfully managing a certified organic agricultural operation for at least three years including direct marketing
- Experience and ability to locate, service and maintain farm equipment and infrastructure
Education and training
- Knowledge of curricula-based training for new and beginning farmers
- Experienced leader with team management skills
- At least three years experience presenting agricultural concepts verbally and through writing
- At least three-five years experience training and guiding groups in agricultural activities
- Ability to evaluate effectiveness of instruction and adapt accordingly
- Ability to work effectively with a team as well as ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Demonstrated experience in furthering social justice in food systems
Compensation and schedule:
Salary and benefits
- Salary DOE (min. $36K/yr). Position will be filled as soon as possible.
- Reports directly to the Project Director and has an agricultural advisory board
Schedule
- Full-time equivalent with increased workload Mar.-Oct. and decreased workload Nov.-Feb.
- Major holidays and 15 days personal time off (appropriately timed for minimal disturbance of program)
Send: Letter of interest, resume, and three references to:
Maryon Attwood, Project Director, 640 Patmore Road, Coupeville, WA 98239, maryon@whidbey.net
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