Orchardist Job in Tennessee

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Orchardist Job in Tennessee at Southall Farms – 2021

Southall Farms Description:

Southall Farms is a premier farm and wellness destination bringing nature, produce and people together in a powerful and unique way. Southall is a new resort in Middle Tennessee offering authentic farm stays and farm inspired experiences. Southall has a commitment to managing the property with ecological principles and leaning towards a future with biodynamic management practices and sustainable decision making.

Orchardist Job Description: 

This position will be responsible for the stewardship of land management for all aspects of the orchard and fruit production on the property. Currently the orchard is 3 acres, 1300 apple trees with a 2000 capacity – espalier style management. This role may work part-time in annual vegetable production or animal husbandry. Orchardists will assist with resort events and guest engagement when related to orchards.

Orchardist Responsibilities

Leadership and Teamwork

• Anticipate, plan and effectuate in order to facilitate and curate a premier, destination orchard and fruit program in Middle Tennessee
• Coordinate with program manager for staff, guest and volunteer opportunities
• Order and source materials while managing budget
• Continue professional development and training to develop sustainable, beautiful and organic operation.
• Keep positive presence with staff and guests, maintain clean physical appearance
• Ensure all spaces are clean, safe and beautiful to the highest standard consistent with resort aesthetics
• Remain up-to-date on current orchard practices through industry reading and Agriculture Department resources
• Developing standard of care for all fruit/nut trees on the property – and provide training to landscape staff.
• Coordinate with and support the landscape team with fruit trees located outside of the orchard.
• Communicates labor needs well in advance to coordinate with farm team workload

Orchard Stewardship

• Prune and trellis the Orchard to meet the needs of Southall’s team – including the kitchen, hospitality – and clients
• Monitor and maintain irrigation of the orchard
• Maintain and improve soil health
• Manage orchard and team work in order to maximize outcomes while protecting and respecting all life.
• Proficiency in hands-on operation/maintenance of tractors, sprayers, mulchers, and other related equipment. 
• Coordinate with on-site Engineers.
• Implement pest, disease and weed control application and document, accordingly
• Continue to seek out and implement sustainable/biodynamic/permaculture methods where applicable.

Harvest

• Lead and participate hands-on in the harvest of apples and pears
• Lead and participate hands-on in the annual planting of trees in orchards to fill out designated areas.
• Manage the distribution and proper storage of harvest.
• Collect, organize and maintain the harvest data

Nursery/Variety Cultivation

• Introduce and incorporate the Julian calendar for Orchard Maintenance and Harvest
• Lead and participate hands-on in the grafting and nursery care of needed varieties of trees on a yearly basis to meet the needs of Southall
• Continually research and experiment with new varieties, integrating interesting varieties speak to history and southern culture. Collect unnamed variety cuttings when possible.
• Plans, leads and participates hands-on planting and cultivating of trees: apple, orange, peach, and other fruit and nut bearing trees
• Maintain a small collection of citrus in the greenhouse.
• Collaborate with the team to determine varieties and quantities of trees to be grown, acreage planted and maintenance resources needed to complete the project.

Animal Care (possible role or integrated with animal husbandry position)

• Develop and maintain animal husbandry program, integration with orchard where possible
• Maintain Flock
• Dog companionship
• Participate in future animal enterprises and integration

Skills and Experience

• 5+ years of experience maintaining orchards or agroforestry.
• Implementation of rotational/ polycultural grazing
• Experience and/or familiarity with organic methods
• Excellent verbal and written communications, giving/receiving direction, and presentation of plans/results; listening, asking questions, building consensus, presenting, obtaining buy-in
• Excellent team skills, including but not limited to; listening, coaching, guiding, flexible working, adaptability, collaboration, and facilitation
• Excellent planning, organizational and resource management/allocation skills – with attention to detail;Demonstrated ability to prioritize, manage and complete tasks;
• Working knowledge and reasonable capabilities in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Preferred skills and qualifications

• B.A. or B.S. degree in Horticulture or related field
• Interest in agroforestry, silvopasture, food forestry, permaculture experience
• Experience with animal husbandry
• Previous experience with hospitality, ag tourism, education and/ customer service
• Experience with post-harvest, value-added products
• Farm-to-table culinary experience

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the Director of Land Stewardship; works with all farm staff.

Orchardist Job Compensation

Salary commensurate with experience and includes benefits package. As a salaried position the schedule will vary by week and seasons.

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 Orchardist Job:

Please email your resume to careers@southallfarms.com and state the position for which you are applying in the subject line of the email. Applications accepted on a rolling basis until position is filled. Please submit applications by Dec 15th.

 

• Learn more about farming and food jobs and internships, or learn how to post a job, internship, or apprenticeship opportunity on beginningfarmers.org here.