Job: Farm Manager in New York State
FARM MANAGER Position Announcement
The Corbin Hill Road Farm, LLC (CHRF or the “Farm”) is developing a 96+ acre farm located in the Town of Carlisle in Schoharie County, NY. The Farm is a joint venture between social investors and the Hunts Point Alliance for Children, a 501c3 in the South Bronx. The Farm has ambitious goals. It expects to grow and serve over 1,000 families in the South Bronx over the next 10 years. Initially the community residents will be members of a CSA and, after the farm is profitable, be offered the opportunity to become stockholders in the farm. The vision of this farm encompasses a more inclusive community that will cross the boundaries of location, race, and class while valuing the environment; works towards food security and food justice; and breaks through the barriers of food redlining. Moreover, a major goal of the venture will be to redefine the ongoing paradigm that views residents from low-income communities as clients and not as economic citizens. We are currently interviewing a select group of individuals for the Farm Manager position. The Farm Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day farming operation including responsibility for all production and the development and monitoring of the produce development budget. S/he also will develop and implement the planting schedule, be responsible for equipment operation and maintenance, harvesting schedules, and the packaging of CSA shares, will enforce health and safety requirements, and hire and manage staff. The Farm Manager is not responsible for organizing the CSA – this will be done at the distribution sites in the Bronx. We are seeking a Farm Manager who has a wide variety of agricultural operations reflecting a longstanding commitment to ecological sustainability, experience in expanding farm operations, planning and executing multiple projects on diversified farms, and managing the varied seasonal demands of farming. The Farm Manager will be expected to implement a plan to initially grow enough produce to serve 200+ families beginning in the spring of 2010, and expand ultimately to 1,100 families or more. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Compensation will be competitive and will include salary, benefits, and housing. The Farm Manager and his or her family occasionally share the house with the General Partner and occasional weekend guests who are investors in the venture. The newly renovated 1803 house has seven bedrooms, four baths, separate dining room, eat-in kitchen, and family room, and can be divided for privacy. The Farm Manager would be encouraged to become a stockholder in this venture either based on equity they may wish to bring to the venture and through stock linked to performance. To apply: Send resume to Dderryck@corbinhillfarm.com. Applications will be received until an acceptable candidate has been found. Upon receipt and review of your resume, we will send you a more detailed description of the farm and related goals.
CORBIN HILL ROAD FARM
CARLISLE, NY 12031
FARM MANAGER POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Farm Manager will be responsible for the overall planning, organization, implementation, and management of and farming activities at Corbin Hill Road Farm (CHRF).
Specific Roles and Responsibilities
Farm Planning / Development
• Participate in the overall short-term and long-term planning and development of CHRF and respective farming operations.
• Develop a production and acquisition plan based the amount of produce required to provide shares for the current CSA membership.
• Implement seasonal strategies for crop rotation, integrated pest management, soil amendment, cover cropping, tillage, propagation, transplanting, cultivation, and harvesting.
• Develop and manage monitoring system for the short and long-term goals of the CHRF plan and specifically farm progress against current budget.
• Ensure that all products are ready to meet delivery deadlines for CSA subscribers and other established and/or contracted markets.
• Ensure that all farm planning and management of workers, activities, and practices comply with federal, state, and local government regulations.
• Ensure that CHRF practices protect the agricultural environment along with the farm’s natural resources and biodiversity.
• Establish, monitor, meet and exceed product quality control standards established for the farm (e.g. Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), Organic Handling Plan, and/or other standards).
Budgeting / Financial Management
• Develop an annual farming budget linked to the CHRF management plan and in consultation with the Project Director.
• Maintain spending within the approved budget.
• Monitor farm progress against annual budget and provide monthly progress reports of revenues and expenses.
Farm Facilities / Equipment Management
• Provide day-to-day management of all farm facilities and equipment, including maintenance, repair, and replacement schedules; (maintain equipment at the level required to accomplish CHRF goals).
• Procure necessary equipment, tools, and supplies for on-farm operations within approved budget.
Staffing / Supervision
• Recruit, hire, orient, train, motivate, supervise, and evaluate paid and volunteer workers.
• Oversee independent contractors in the repair and maintenance of overall farm infrastructure and in the construction of new grounds and facilities.
• Work with Project Director and accountant to assure that all labor regulations and payroll requirements are met.
• Apply and maintain all health and safety standards required by law and the farm safety plan.
Recordkeeping / Reporting / Communications
• Monitor and document all land use, irrigation, and produce yield/loses and report to Project Director.
• Maintain production records, and create and maintain records for all crops, soil amendments, and field history as required for organic certification and for quality standards.
• Work with CSA manager to ensure all delivery scheduling is kept current, consistent, and in compliance with CHRF goals.
• Serve as principle farm representative; interact with general public, subscribers, media, and project director and investors.
• Constantly communicate with Project Director, CSA Manager, and paid and volunteer staff.
Qualifications
• Post-secondary degree (Associate’s; Bachelor’s preferred) in an appropriate discipline (e.g. plant science, horticulture, botany, agronomy, plant pathology, organic farming, greenhouse mgmt, etc.), AND a minimum of five years demonstrated experience managing a profitable, sustainable, organic vegetable farm with a significant CSA enrollment and/or other direct marketing activities; OR ten years experience managing a profitable, sustainable, organic vegetable farm with a significant CSA enrollment and/or other direct marketing activities.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience of staff, volunteers, and interns and successful experience in recruiting, hiring, and motivating workers.
• Demonstrated experience in budgeting and financial management.
• Demonstrated experience in operating and maintaining and variety of farm equipment appropriate for vegetable production.
• Effective written, verbal, and electronic communication skills
• Competence in using computer technology as a management tool (e.g. Excel, Word, Power Point, Access, Internet, etc.).
• Strong leadership, teamwork, and interpersonal skills with proven ability to work with diverse audiences and collaborators.
• Valid NYS State driver’s license or equivalent.
• Creativity, energy, motivation, and positive enthusiasm.
• Current New York State Private Pesticide Applicators License or ability to obtain.
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